13 year old uses trees to make better solar cells

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13 year old uses trees to make better solar cells

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the_ignored
SFN Addict

2562 Posts

Posted - 08/21/2011 : 21:11:33

You can read about it here.

I wish I was that smart, or at least as observant.

My conclusions suggest that the Fibonacci pattern in trees makes an evolutionary difference. This is probably why the Fibonacci pattern is found in deciduous trees living in higher latitudes. The Fibonacci pattern gives plants like the oak tree a competitive edge while collecting sunlight when the Sun moves through the sky.

Cool. The kid understands how evolution works this. Until I read that part, I was wondering how creationist groups might try to take advantage of this "biomimicry" (imitating nature's "designs") to push their own beliefs. This kid actually has a built-in rebuttal!

The tree design takes up less room than flat-panel arrays and works in spots that don't have a full southern view. It collects more sunlight in winter. Shade and bad weather like snow don't hurt it because the panels are not flat. It even looks nicer because it looks like a tree. A design like this may work better in urban areas where space and direct sunlight can be hard to find.

>From: enuffenuff@fastmail.fm
(excerpt follows):
> I'm looking to teach these two bastards a lesson they'll never forget.
> Personal visit by mates of mine. No violence, just a wee little chat.
>
> **** has also committed more crimes than you can count with his
> incitement of hatred against a religion. That law came in about 2007
> much to ****'s ignorance. That is fact and his writing will become well
> know as well as him becoming a publicly known icon of hatred.
>
> Good luck with that fuckwit. And Reynold, fucking run, and don't stop.
> Disappear would be best as it was you who dared to attack me on my
> illness knowing nothing of the cause. You disgust me and you are top of
> the list boy. Again, no violence. Just regular reminders of who's there
> and visits to see you are behaving. Nothing scary in reality. But I'd
> still disappear if I was you.

What brought that on? this. Original posting here.

Another example of this guy's lunacy here.

Edited by - the_ignored on 08/21/2011 21:12:22

sailingsoul
SFN Addict

2830 Posts

Posted - 08/23/2011 : 19:10:02 [Permalink]

I highly suspect something ain't right with this article or with this young man's data. SS

There are only two types of religious people, the deceivers and the deceived. SS

Valiant Dancer
Forum Goalie

USA
4826 Posts

Posted - 08/24/2011 : 05:39:42 [Permalink]

Originally posted by sailingsoul

I highly suspect something ain't right with this article or with this young man's data. SS

You aren't alone. Someone has already written a blog showing deep flaws in the research. The blog writer also singles out the press for publicizing the research. He does have encouraging things to say to the kid, but says that the young man's data is using an invalid measuring methodology.

Cthulhu/Asmodeus when you're tired of voting for the lesser of two evils

Brother Cutlass of Reasoned Discussion

Dave W.
Info Junkie

USA
26022 Posts

Posted - 08/28/2011 : 16:48:05 [Permalink]

Museum stands behind debunked kid scientist. Seems the kid measured voltage instead of power, but his presentation was excellent.

- Dave W. (Private Msg, EMail)
Evidently, I rock!
Why not question something for a change?
Visit Dave's Psoriasis Info, too.

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