http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/ Engadget Comments for Glass leaves sweat to generate electricity, get nervous in public situations http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 4:21AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 8:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/
First of all, the idea sounds infinitely more aesthetic than using the glass clad buildings [we already have]. It's not like we have as many glass clad buildings here in all of Wisconsin as there are in New York City alone, so I wouldn't mind seeing the attempt made on a large scale.]]>Aug 3rd 2009 10:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 4:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 4:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/
I am from Germany and half of our nuclear power plants are either shut down or not running anymore. We have no problems with electricity anywhere ... and in the south nearly every third roof is covered with solar panels ...]]>Aug 3rd 2009 6:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/
So in the short term, nuclear is the most viable green solution for the people with money (IE: electric companies) to build. Individuals and corporations like google can take themselves off the grid with solar/wind but it can't be done on a massive scale yet.

Coal and gas are probably still cheaper though, but I don't have any numbers over the long term compared to a modern nuclear plant.]]>Aug 3rd 2009 9:25AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/
@sebbi your country might have no problems with electricity anywhere but Germany's carbon dioxide emissions per capita are among the highest in the EU so to shut down Nuclear power plants would be a terrible idea and the sad part about it its usually the most technologically advanced countries who pollute the most and it shouldn't be like that. Germany, United States, the EU we should lead by examples.]]>Aug 3rd 2009 6:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 4:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 4:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 4:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 5:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 4:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 4:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 1:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/
One question though, how robust are these things? Would be a shame if a little bit of wind damaged them. Also, where does the water come from?]]>Aug 3rd 2009 4:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 7:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/
""where does the water come from?" - I assume the same place every other tree get's it."

which would give you residue clogging up your system all the time. ]]>Aug 3rd 2009 7:25AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 2:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/
1) High humidity - no evaporation
2) Below freezing - exploding glass limbs. Fun for all the family.]]>Aug 3rd 2009 4:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 5:03AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/
16% of all of the FRESH water on the planet is in the atmosphere. It is called the hydrological cycle.
And you would have to have 100 % humidity to get no evaporation.

I think there are other ways to design this that are more practical but this is a beginning - we really do need to figure other ways to produce electricity and all need to be 1st Law systems. If you don't understand that bit, retake your high school physics class.

As for below freezing - consider the possibility of a dual system that produces electricity from expansion and contraction of the water during the freeze thaw cycle OR use a Seebeck effect thermal system that can use the difference in temperatures to produce a current - more than mili-amps, too.

Cheers
]]>Aug 3rd 2009 5:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/
-mineral buildup
-mold and mildew]]>Aug 3rd 2009 9:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/
@Chris: er, all power system have maintenance of some kind. Yes, you'll have to clean them every once in a while, just like everything else in existence. ]]>Aug 3rd 2009 12:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 4:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 5:13AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/
Though they might be able to produce a small 'houseplant' for personal use (paid for by the individual consumer) that feeds back into the grid (or charges something). That would likely be the easiest way to get funding to pay for such an idea, or at least a decent supplement to investors.]]>Aug 3rd 2009 6:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 7:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 7:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 7:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 7:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 7:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 8:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 9:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 9:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 9:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 10:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 10:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 11:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 12:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/
This device is dependent on capillary action and transpiration pull, where the evaporation itself is responsible for the motive force, much like a plant leaf.]]>Aug 3rd 2009 1:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 1:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/unless we're not speaking english here...]]>Aug 3rd 2009 8:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/glass-leaves-sweat-to-generate-electricity-get-nervous-in-publi/Aug 3rd 2009 2:24PM