Butterfly wing inspires photovoltaics

Sunlight reflected by solar cells is lost as unused energy. The wings of the butterfly Pachliopta aristolochiae are drilled by nanostructures (nanoholes) that help absorbing light over a wide spectrum far better than smooth surfaces. Researchers of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have now succeeded in transferring these nanostructures to solar cells and, thus, enhancing their light absorption rate by up to 200 percent. The scientists report their results in the journal Science Advances.

"The butterfly studied by us is very dark black. This signifies that it perfectly absorbs sunlight for optimum heat management. Even more fascinating than its appearance are the mechanisms that help reaching the high absorption. The optimization potential when transferring these structures to photovoltaics (PV) systems was found to be much higher than expected," says Dr. Hendrik Hölscher of KIT's Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT).

The scientists of the team of Hendrik Hölscher and Radwanul H. Siddique (formerly KIT, now Caltech) reproduced the butterfly's nanostructures in the silicon absorbing layer of a thin-film solar cell. Subsequent analysis of light absorption yielded promising results: Compared to a smooth surface, the absorption rate of perpendicular incident light increases by 97% and rises continuously until it reaches 207% at an angle of incidence of 50 degrees. "This is particularly interesting under European conditions. Frequently, we have diffuse light that hardly falls on solar cells ( like RENOGY 150 WATT SOLAR PANEL ) at a vertical angle," Hendrik Hölscher says.

However, this does not automatically imply that efficiency of the complete PV system is enhanced by the same factor, says Guillaume Gomard of IMT. "Also other components play a role. Hence, the 200 percent are to be considered a theoretical limit for efficiency enhancement."

Prior to transferring the nanostructures to solar cells, the researchers determined the diameter and arrangement of the nanoholes on the wing of the butterfly by means of scanning electron microscopy. Then, they analyzed the rates of light absorption for various hole patterns in a computer simulation. They found that disordered holes of varying diameters, such as those found in the black butterfly, produced most stable absorption rates over the complete spectrum at variable angles of incidence, with respect to periodically arranged monosized nanoholes. Hence, the researchers introduced disorderly positioned holes in a thin-film PV absorber, with diameters varying from 133 to 343 nanometers.

The scientists demonstrated that light yield can be enhanced considerably by removing material. In the project, they worked with hydrogenated amorphous silicon. According to the researchers, however, any type of thin-film PV technology can be improved with such nanostructures, also on the industrial scale.

Background information

Thin-film PV modules represent an economically attractive alternative to conventional crystalline silicon solar cells, as the light-absorbing layer is thinner by a factor of up to 1000 and, hence, material consumption is reduced. Still, absorption rates of thin layers are below those of crystalline silicon cells. Hence, they are used in systems needing little power, such as pocket calculators or watches. Enhanced absorption would make thin-film cells much more attractive for larger applications, such as photovoltaics systems on roofs.

Cool Garage Door Maintenance

What do you think that people think of your house? May it be from outside or from inside, you will always want to make your house look as awesome as you can think. But we always keep the inside look of our houses good but do not think of the outer look, which also matters a lot. But we do not give time to think over anything which is more important and that is the garage door, which is the biggest look giving stuff from the place where you are living in.

Garage door is that side of your house you may never think of maintaining but is the most seen place. Do you think that you need to maintain it? Yes of course you need to, because it is not at all possible for you to make your house look good without maintenance of outer garage door. So if you are still thinking of that you should keep it for more time then you are absolutely wrong. Because more the time you will take more the expensive rates you will have to pay for the repair of the door.

As you know that the door gets opened several times a day so it gets weak day by day and tell me tell you that you may even get hurt because of it. So do not take more time to think as you may be reason for someone getting hurt. Every time when you want to get inside it open it with care and when you are working or doing any task over there then do not think of keeping it in between open it properly because anyone like some kid may come over there and may get hurt due to it. When you want to get out switch it down carefully so the shutter should not get dragged badly.

Garage door opener (like MIGHTY MULE MM562 ) may also get effected or even give a bad look if they are suffering from harsh weather conditions. But we cannot change the weather conditions they will remain the same as they are, but when it comes to the door we can make it paint time to time and even get it painted with some rust protecting paints. Do give your garage shutter a new look so that the door should not even give a bad look.

Consult someone to get it better look, so that the people crossing around should praise the kind of thing you are keeping, make your house classy with the trendy looks. When we know that the looks are good then go for the interior setting of the garage door so that nobody should even get hurt because of it. Many times we see that it happens that due to the weakened nuts of the door the door may get fallen down on any person. Over there you don’t even know that how much harm can it make to you or someone innocent. So getting the nuts and the bolts right at the place is more important than the beautification. If you feel like that the door is not going to work anymore then go for the replacement of the door. It may cost money but will not cost more than your or somebody’s else’s life.
Some of the basic factors which are to be kept in mind about the garage door are:
Give some time to see the garage door:

When you go out of your house and see your garage door, what do you feel about it? Feel something like you are not even taking care of the thing which you are using on the daily bases. And if still you are not realising that what am I saying then go out and look at the door form outside, do you think it needs some repair, or else it is fine like this only. Yes I know you will want to make it much better than before as you never want that your house should look bad because of one garage door. I know you must be thinking that why this thing had not come into your mind before but yes if it has come just now then go for it now.
If you feel it needs repair then go for it:

It may be the colour meaning there by the outer look of the door or the interior of it that is the nuts and the bolts of the garage door, go and ask for the repair of everything which is not right at its place, do not think that it may go till 1 month for say or 2 months can be there and after that you will make it out, but circumstances will not wait for you they will just happen so for taking a good care of yourself and your family make it well. And do not take any kind of chance for the life threatening things.
Get some professional to your place:

Do not try to fix the problem by yourself you may not be able to fix it as these kinds of things require professional training and experience too. So call out someone who knows that how these technical things are being done so that you may not hurt yourself by any means. Do not even try to make any kind of changes unless and until you don’t have any experience regarding this stuff. Hurting yourself will not be a good thing if you are inexperienced.

All these kinds of things may be kept in mind when you are going to get some changes in the garage door of your house. Give some time to yourself and your house and think that how can you hide the flaws of the garage door and make it look more trendy the other people’s. Do not think that how much expensive will it be, because nothing is as important as your life, may it take more or less money you need to get it right because it may be life threatening if not in a good condition. So just go for it.

Review: Discover the Mighty Mule FM500 Automatic Gate Opener

If you want an automatic gate opener (for example: MIGHTY MULE 500 )which is ranked best in class within the “heavy-duty” category, you’ll benefit from learning about this high-quality Mighty Mule product. Designed to open gates of up to eighteen feet in length, this simple-to-install device works with an array of gate types, from chain link styles to tube fences to panel, vinyl or wood fences…

To help you discover the features and advantages of this product, we’ve created a helpful review…

Why Choose The Mighty Mule FM500?

The Mighty Mule FM500 is a single gate opener which is ideal for heavy gates, such as commercial gates. It will open gates which are up to eight hundred and fifty pounds in weight and up to eighteen feet long.

When you choose this design, you’ll access a device with 12 volts of power and you’ll also be choosing a very durable and sturdy automatic gate opener.

What Will You Receive?

When you open the box, you’ll get everything that you need in order to automate the opening of your gate, as long as it fits weight, height and type specifications. Whether your gate is decorative or utilitarian, you’ll find that this swing gate opener offers high performance for a competitive price.

In addition, you’ll find that you should be able to install it (and get it working!) without any problems. This unit is known for being easy to install and simple to use. When you unbox this product, you’ll find that it comes with a kit which won’t require welding skills or the services of an electrician.

What is the Right Marketing Strategy for Your Business?

Businesses obsess over the most effective marketing strategies and miss the crucial point. The point is that an effective marketing strategy is all about the individual company. As every company is different, every company needs to consider different criteria and variables. As a result, there is no one size fits all strategy. Now that you know, you might be in an even bigger quandary. ‘If there is no one size fits all, how am I supposed to choose the right strategy?’ It’s a good question, and you can find the answer below.

What Methods Fit Your Budget?

There is no point in lying and saying that your marketing strategy doesn’t revolve on your budget. It does because you can only implement what you can afford. Now that it is out in the open, it is time to tailor your budget to your options. An event marketing strategy, for instance, is out of your price range. With a small budget, you need to think about tactics like SEO and social media marketing. Both of these don’t cost you a penny, and they are high rankers on the pound for pound scale. Thanks to technology, it is possible to spend a small amount and still be effective.

How to Start a Business While Still Employed

Many people who work for someone else dream of becoming their own boss and owning a business. Who has not experienced boredom or become fed up with their boss at least once in their working life. While running your own business is not a bad idea it does come with its own risks. Financial risk in particular is the one that holds many people back. You are not only giving up your guaranteed income, but also risking your own money in the business with uncertain outcome. That is why it is advisable to start a business on a part-time basis while you are still employed. There are couple of important items you need to take care of if you pursue this path.

Funding Your Business

If you don’t want to give up your work for the business you have in mind, the very first thing to consider is the finance your business and lifestyle requires. Do you already have enough funds to invest for a start-up business? Would you not risk your personal and family lifestyle because you are funding a business? Be sure that before you venture in the business that you want, you already have the money to sustain all the expenses along with it and you are not compromising the important expenses you and your family need.

3 Simple Steps for Businesses to Protect their Brands

When many people think about trademarks, they think of those belonging to large businesses. Trademarks like Nike, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, and Mercedes-Benz are owned by corporations that spend tens of millions just on their brands. But all businesses can and should take proactive steps to protect their brands and avoid the more expensive, nearly inevitable, alternative.



At the most basic level, a trademark refers to any word, name, symbol, or device, or any combination used to identify and distinguish your goods from those manufactured or sold by others and to indicate the source of your goods. Because their purpose is to tell consumers where a product or service comes from, trademarks are extremely valuable even to smaller businesses. They represent the hard work you put into building a good reputation.