Final Reflection

Throughout my internship I faced many challenges, tribulations, failures, excitements, and successes. When I was initially matched with this internship, I was hesitant because the topic was brand new to me - I did not know about solar energy, and I had never been interested enough to learn more. The internship, however, I thought would provide me with an opportunity to do so - I was excited to step into a new area of science.

While my internship, was very independent (my mentor was often too busy to meet or out of the country) and focused on me reading and doing research through my own prerogative, I learned a lot. For example, I had access to RPI's libraries to do independent research on Tuesday afternoons.

At the end of the year, I am glad to have had the opportunity to do my own research on an field of emerging importance and to teach myself about solar energy engineering. While challenging, the experience was certainly worthwhile.

I would advise future signature students to have fun with the experience! It is a great way to incentivized yourself to learn about a new area of interest.

Internship Cancelled

Internship Cancelled

My internship was cancelled again, because my mentor remains out of town.

Internship Cancelled

My internship was cancelled today!

Measuring Solar Output

This week, I worked to measure solar outputs of various small solar cells. Using a multimeter and recording various measurements, I was able to create graphs of the energy outputs of these solar panels. It was incredibly cool to work with the solar panels as well as with the equipment at RPI this week. Though I was unable to export the graphs to show directly, I also learned how to recognize different kinds of graphs.

For example, this is the graph of the energy output of a short-circuited solar panel.

As is evident, as the bandgap increases, the short circuit density decreases exponentially. 

Annotated Bibliography

Moore, J. S., Jones, K. S., Kennel, H., & Corcoran, S. (2008). 3-D analysis of semiconductor dopant distributions in a patterned structure using LEAP. Ultramicroscopy, 108(6), 536-539. Twitchett-

This analysis provides an interesting view of the three-dimensional structure of doped semiconductors on an atomic level. This then allows a useful analysis of the atomic structure of silicon as it relates to function. Thus, we can see how - not only silicon, but also other potential semiconductors - works as it relates to how it is made up. This can then allow us to see what properties of a material, on the atomic level, are most necessary or helpful in creating a semiconductor.

Harrison, A. C., Yates, T. J., Newcomb, S. B., Dunin-Borkowski, R. E., & Midgley, P. A. (2007). High-resolution three-dimensional mapping of semiconductor dopant potentials. Nano Letters, 7(7), 2020-2023.

This piece from a highly acclaimed journal, in many ways, logically continues the previous. It provides a mapping of the dopant potentials of various semiconductors, with a focus on silicon as a "typical" semiconductor. Thus, we can see how - not only silicon, but also other potential semiconductors - works as it relates to how it is made up.This lens allows us to view other potential semiconductors critically.

Byrnes, S. (2013, December 1). Maximum possible efficiency of a solar thermal energy system. Retrieved November 23, 2015, from http://sjbyrnes.com/ultimate_PV.html Cummings, T. (2013, June 8).

This article provides fascinating insight into the modes and methods of measuring efficiency. It poses the question - "what is efficiency?". From there, its data and analysis serves to expand upon this question, answering it and many others. The exploration into the efficiency of solar panels. Solar panels that are made with silicon, as well as solar panels that have been made with other materials.

Lens Experiment. Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://laser.physics.sunysb.edu/~thomas/report1/lens_report.html Hall, N. (2015, May 5).

Second Law of Thermodynamics. Retrieved November 25, 2015, from https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/airplane/thermo2.html Lewis, N. S. (2007). Toward cost-effective solar energy use. science,315(5813), 798-801.

The Science of the Silicon Solar Cell. (n.d.). Retrieved November 22, 2015, from http://science.sbcc.edu/~physics/flash/siliconsolarcell/index.html.

This analysis provides an interesting view of the three-dimensional structure of doped semiconductors on an atomic level. This then allows a useful analysis of the atomic structure of silicon as it relates to function. Thus, we can see how - not only silicon, but also other potential semiconductors - works as it relates to how it is made up. This can then allow us to see what properties of a material, on the atomic level, are most necessary or helpful in creating a semiconductor.

Redarc Electronics. (n.d.). Retrieved November 22, 2015, from http://www.redarc.com.au/solar/about/solarpanels/.

This website provides an insight into the actuality of solar panels. It is a look into how solar panels are currently sold in the real world. Having real world websites and sources is very, very helpful because it provides a nice complement to being mired in a the philosophical conceptions of "what if".

What's the difference between climate change and global warming? (Climate Change FAQ #2)

Climate change is defined as a change in global or regional climate patterns, in particular a change apparent from the mid to late 20th century onwards and attributed largely to the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels.

Global warming, in contrast, a gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth's atmosphere generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and other pollutants.

(Source: Merriam-Webster)

(Source: XKCD)

In general, “global warming” refers to the long-term warming of the planet - a well-documented rise since the early 20th century, particularly since the late 1970s. Worldwide, since 1880 the average surface temperature has gone up by about 0.8 °C (1.4 °F), relative to the mid-20th-century baseline (of 1951-1980).

“Climate change” includes global warming as well as many other changes Earth is undergoing.such as rising sea levels, shrinking mountain glaciers, accelerating ice melt in Greenland, Antarctica and the Arctic, and shifts in flower/plant blooming times. These are all consequences of the warming, which is - in turn - caused mainly by people burning fossil fuels and putting out heat-trapping gases into the air.

The terms “global warming” and “climate change” are sometimes used interchangeably, but they technically refer to slightly different things.

(Source: NASA)