There are compounds in fruits and vegetables that can convert UV energy into light. Photovoltaic (PV) cells (a way of capturing energy from sunlight) convert that light into energy on the edges of the panels. The electricity can be used immediately or stored in a battery.
The inventor, 27-year-old Filipino student Carvey Ehren Maigue from Mapúa University, first came up with the idea after noticing that his glasses, which react to UV light, darkened even on cloudy days.
Normal PV solar panels only capture around 20% of the sun's energy.
His can capture 50%.
The name of his invention is inspired by the Aurora Borealis, otherwise called the Northern Lights.
How many more of these multifaceted, multidisciplinary, SDG-combining solutions can we dream of, support, and scale up is not the question.
THE PLAN: Tax the rich to publicize the James Dyson Sustainability Award to encourage more entrepreneurs to solve the energy crisis by transitioning away from fossil fuels towards sustainable energy solutions. Increase the award money. Publicize the winners.
(Yes, the vacuum cleaner.)
In the future, Maigue imagines expanding the application of AuREUS by turning its substrates into different light-weight forms, which could be used to cover a whole host of other things - including vehicles, aircraft and even clothes.
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