Solar Window by Carvey Ehren Maigue (NATIONAL)

Purpose of the Invention

The invention's goal is to use waste crops to convert ultraviolet light into visible light, which

can then be captured and turned into electricity by a series of standard photovoltaic (PV) cells

that border the outside of the cladding and resemble the PV cells found in standard solar

panels. Integrated regulating circuits then allow this electricity to be used straight away or

stored.

Methodology

According to preliminary testing, this results in an energy production rate of about 50% of the

time, as opposed to 15% to 22% for normal solar panels. Because they rely on visible light,

standard solar panels can only be used in clear weather and require direct sunlight to function.

However, the translucent AuReus material can capture power from invisible UV rays that can

penetrate clouds. AuReus may turn entire buildings into vertical solar farms by capturing UV

rays bouncing off surrounding architecture and pavements when applied as a type of

fluorescent covering to windows or facades.

By doing this, the potential energy output is maximized. The physics behind the northern

lights served the inspiration for AuReus, which gets its name from the aurora borealis. High

energy particles like ultraviolet or gamma rays are absorbed by luminescent particles in the

environment, which then decay and reemit them as visible light.

Inventer

The creator of AuREUS System Technology, a novel substance derived from waste crops that

transforms UV light into renewable energy, is 27-year-old Carvey Ehren Maigue. Carvey

Maigue has discovered a fresh and really clever method for maximizing the potential of solar

energy. His technological business AuReus has developed a new waste-derived substance

that uses ultraviolet light to produce renewable energy. His idea can contribute to the fight

against climate change and create a trash-free future by upcycling waste resources, notably

crops. 2020 saw Carvey receive the first James Dyson Award for sustainability in recognition

of his design.

Conclusion

A quarter of the workforce in the Philippines works in agriculture, but as a result of climate

change, the sector is experiencing more frequent and severe weather events. From 2006 to

2013, over six million hectares of crops worth an estimated $3.8 billion were damaged due to

weather-related events.

Maigue utilizes an underutilized waste stream and provides farmers with a means of making

money off of their lost crop output by recycling some of the crops that were rotting on the

fields.

https://www.dezeen.com/2020/11/27/aureus-carvey-ehren-maigue-james-dyson-awards-

sustainability/
 Sun-Powered Chemistry Can Turn Carbon Dioxide into Common Materials by Javier
García Martínez (INTERNATIONAL)

Purpose of the Invention

With the use of sunshine and a novel method that uses waste carbon dioxide as a raw material

and sunlight instead of fossil fuels as the source of energy required for manufacturing,

emissions may be reduced in two ways.

Methodology

The possibility of this process is growing because of developments in photocatalysts, or

sunlight-activated catalysts. Researchers have created photocatalysts in recent years that are

able to dissolve the tough double bond that exists between carbon and oxygen in carbon

dioxide. This is an essential first step toward building "solar" refineries that utilize waste gas

to create valuable chemicals, including "platform" molecules that may be used as building

blocks to create a wide range of goods, including textiles, detergents, fertilizers, and

medications.

Most photocatalysts are semiconductors, and in order to produce the electrons needed to

change carbon dioxide, they need intense ultraviolet light. However, UV light is hazardous

and rare, making up only 5% of sunshine. Therefore, one of the main goals has been to design

novel catalysts that operate in more abundant and benign visible light. Careful engineering of

the composition, structure, and morphology of current catalysts, such as titanium dioxide, is

being done to meet this requirement. When doped with nitrogen, the energy needed to

efficiently transform carbon dioxide into other molecules is considerably reduced, even

though it still does so in reaction to UV light. The modified catalyst can now produce

commonly used chemicals like methanol, formaldehyde, and formic acid with just visible
light. These chemicals are utilized in the production of adhesives, foams, plywood, flooring,

cabinets, and disinfectants.

Inventer

Spanish inorganic chemist Javier García Martínez (born 1973) is currently serving as

president of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) for the 2022–

2023 term. Born in Logroño, he conducts nanotechnology research to advance the

development of catalysts that lower carbon dioxide emissions. García Martínez is a professor

of inorganic chemistry at the University of Alicante. He oversees the molecular

nanotechnology laboratory, where he conducts research on the creation of nanomaterials for

gas separation techniques, water treatment, energy applications, and production. In order to

capitalize on his catalyst research, he started Rive Technology in 2004 while attending the

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In 2019, the business was purchased by the

multinational WR Grace, based in North America.

He has written about energy-related subjects as well as nanomaterials. His most recent

publications include The Chemical Element (Wiley, 2011), Chemistry Education (Wiley,

2014), Mesoporous Zeolites (Wiley, 2015), Chemistry Entrepreunership (Wiley, 2021),

Nanotechnology for the Energy Challenge (Wiley, 2010), and Spain for sure (Planeta, 2021).

Conclusion

In the upcoming years, start-ups and other businesses will undoubtedly commercialize and

further improve the advancements in the sunlight-driven conversion of carbon dioxide into

chemicals. Then, the chemical sector will contribute to the realization of the objective of

producing negative emissions and take a step toward becoming a component of a true, waste-
free, circular economy by turning what is currently waste carbon dioxide into valuable

products.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/sun-powered-chemistry-can-turn-carbon-dioxide-

into-common-materials/