Mizzou Professor says nantenna solar sheet soaks up 90 percent of the sun's rays, puts sunscreen to shame
![](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/PFQ7xsQYY37GBy3JlXCiIg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTc0Mg--/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/T7fZmvJtohVPXVuKZeLpwg--~B/aD00MzA7dz01NTY7YXBwaWQ9eXRhY2h5b24-/https://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2011/05/5-16-11-nantenna.jpg)
Photovoltaics suffer from gross inefficiency, despite incremental improvements in their power producing capabilities. According to research by a team led by a University of Missouri professor, however, newly developed nantenna-equipped solar sheets can reap more than 90 percent of the sun's bounty -- which is more than double the efficiency of existing solar technologies. Apparently, some "special high-speed electrical circuitry" is the secret sauce behind the solar breakthrough. Of course, the flexible film is currently a flight of fancy and won't be generating juice for the public anytime soon. The professor and his pals still need capital for commercialization, but they believe a product will be ready within five years. Take your time, guys, it's not like global warming's getting worse.
[Image source: Idaho National Laboratory (PDF)]