Fibre Optic Electricity

Problem With Today’s Solar Cells…

Photovoltaic cells or solar cells only use the visual

light spectrum to generate electricity. This includes ra-

diation with wavelength between 380 nm to 750 nm (violet

to red), which, using N-type and P-type semiconductors,

knock electrons from their weak bonds and creates elec-

tricity. ultraviolet and infrared don’t carry enough en-

ergy and are absorbed as heat (which thereby increases

the resistance in the conductors). This isn’t efficient,

because instead the energy of the infrared radiation be-

ing used to produce electricity, it makes the process

less efficient.

The Solution

The electro magnetic radiation

would be collected and passed

efficiently through a cable, to

somewhere the production of

electricity could take place us-

ing the individual frequencies.

Then one could split the electro

magnetic spectrum into it’s in-

dividual frequencies and opti-

mise the energy conversion into

electrical energy.

AC Generator

The AC generator converts the rotational

kinetic energy of the turbine into electri-

cal energy using a conductor that is rotat-

ed in a magnetic field like shown in the di-

agram above.

Converging Lens

The lens collects the sun light and concentrates it to the

focal point. The lens should be as dens as possible to have

a high refractive index which would allow it to be thinner

but still as effective.

Solar Cell

The solar cell is a regular solar cell that ab-

sorbs the visible electromagnetic rays and

convert them to electrical energy.

The Future of Fibre Optic Electricity

In the future Fibre Optic Electricity could be

used in countries with too little sun too af-

ford solar energy as a reliable source of elec-

tricity. The lenses are cheaper than solar

cells and can therefore allow fewer solar cells

have to be bought.

What do we need?

In order for the process to be feasible, re-

search must be carried out in the transporta-

tion of light through fibre optic cables in or-

der to make it more efficient. This would mean

that the cable material should not absorb the

electromagnetic radiation and the lenses should

be made of a very dense and transparent materi-

al so that it can be very thin but also not re-

flect any of the electromagnetic radiation,

which would therefore be wasted.

By Mads Nørløv Bundgaard Skt. Josefs International School, Roskilde

School e-mail: mads515e@sjs-roskilde.dk

Turbine

As the steam passes through the piping at high pres-

sure it pushes a turbine which turns generating rota-

tional energy which is then passed on through me-

chanical structures to an AC generator.

Triangular Prism

The prism splits the electro magnetic spectrum into individual groups of rays

depending on the frequency . This happens because the light slows down as it

passes through the prism and is refracted. The higher frequencies are refract-

ed more than the lower frequencies. The prism should be as dense as possi-

ble to have the highest refractive index possible

Fibre Optic Cable

The cable begins at the focal point of the light rays where it traps the

light within the cable. The inside of the cable is smooth and shiny to

reflect all the radiation. This makes sure it’s not absorbed by the cable

and makes the transportation more efficient. In the future this cable

would contain a vacuum

Electromagnetic Radiation

As the radiation is refracted the visible light's di-

verted to photovoltaic cells. The infra-red radiation

is directed to a water container. The infra-red radi-

ation will heat the water which will then change

state to form steam..

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