Solar breakthrough could see panel prices fall, efficiency rise

Credit: WikiPedia

To date, a problem with producing electricity with photovoltaic solar cells has been efficiency, typically peaking at 19%.  Conventionally, such efficiency is only achieved using the highest quality (& most expensive) silicon.  Now, engineers at the University of New South Wales have found a method to increase efficiency to between 21 & 23% using lower quality silicon, promising higher efficiency at lower cost.

http://www.businessspectator.com.au/news/2013/5/7/solar-energy/australian-solar-breakthrough-could-see-panel-prices-fall-efficiency-rise?utm_source=exact&utm_medium=email&utm_content=283596&utm_campaign=cs_daily&modapt / PV photo voltaic photovoltaic solar cell silicon hydrogen quality efficiency price cost of production /

Geothermal power plant goes live in Australia

Credit: USA Geothermal Technologies Office

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/05/02/geodynamics_habanero_goes_live/ / thermal energy electric electricity renewable sustainable green geology heat exchanger injection working fluid best turbine load AC DC high voltage transmission steam power plant dry flash production well ground water geology rock layers heat exchanger binary cycle power plant generator alternator /

Nissan slashes Leaf price to sell electric car in Australia

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1083932_nissan-slashes-leaf-price-to-sell-electric-car-in-australia / EV electric vehicle car LiIon lithium ion battery iron range regen regenerative braking /

World's first 3D-printed gun makes its debut

Pistol assembled from separately printed components.  Only the "firing pin" (actually the nail near the handgrip), & the ammunition, is made of metal.
Credit: BBC

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57582725-76/worlds-first-3d-printed-gun-makes-its-debut/ / Defense Distributed Texas-based nonprofit status Forbes images 3D printed 3D-printed handgun fire firing standard handgun rounds plastic nail firing pin six ounce six-ounce piece of steel allow  detected metal detectors Cody Wilson Defense Distributed plan plans Liberator Forbes gun barrel barrels calibre calibers ammunition publish CAD files mechanics Web share public gun violence 3D printing Stratasy 3D printers printer device gun development U.S. Undetectable Firearms Act detected law enforcement tools handgun /

Jesus lizard (video)

Credit: FactZoo.com

Jesus lizard?  Why do they call it that?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45yabrnryXk&feature=youtube_gdata_player / reptile run walk on water Jesus Christ reptile Basilisk Central America related to the Iguana /

Google Glass battery life bad according to early reviews

http://bgr.com/2013/05/01/google-glass-battery-life/ / wearable tech is pundits smart eyewear watch watches connected devices future tech smartphone smart phone cell mobile Explorer version Google’s headset battery life longevity problem portable consumer electronics charging laptop tablet battery limitations charging phones normal usage wearable tech battery life smartwatches smartwatch smart watch Pebble low-power E Ink display Apple iWatch days per charge category wearable devices connected eyewear /

7 foods a nutritionist would never eat

Credit: livestrong.com

Few surprises here!  Rice cakes?

http://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/diet-tips/7-foods-nutritionist-would-never-eat?utm_source=Taboola&utm_medium=cpc / rice cakes grits corn fibre simple processed carbohydrates refined vinegar oil saturated fat salad dressing diet food low-fat low fat no-fat no fat glycemic index glucose carbs carbohydrate blood sugar weight loss health fat-free fat free plant oils essential fatty acids antioxidants food companies sugar high fructose corn syrup emulsifying agents seitan meat substitute vegetarian dishes soya beans soy wheat gluten highly allergenic protein wheat allergies intolerances allergy intolerance risk benefit fish omega-3 fats mercury omega 3 health effects shark tuna shark tilefish salmon grain grains food chain concentration vitamins minerals pasta rice sugar sweetened beverage soft fizzy carbonated  /