PECHouse: a proposed cell solar hydrogen
If it is not yet a source of energy used properly, hydrogen are a vital means of storage. However, the main challenge now is to produce a “green”. The Ecole Polytechnique Federal de Lausanne (EPFL) was launched recently in the development of a cell PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL (PEC in English) can split water into hydrogen and oxygen to the same surface electrodes. Unlike existing systems, which are to involve a solar cell with an electrolyzer, the PEC have as their main shortcoming low efficiency. However, the EPFL hopes to reach yields of around 4.5% in 2009 and 7% in 2011.
The project is coordinated by the Center for Energy EPFL and driven by the Laboratory of Photonics and Interfaces led by Professor Michael Grätzel, inventor of the solar cells of the same name based on the photosynthesis of plants convert solar energy into electricity. These works are a continuation of those made in the late 90s in collaboration with professors Jan Augustynski in Geneva and Gion Calzaferri in Bern and had allowed the construction of a “tandem cell” PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL whose results were promising. This cell linked a semiconductor with a dye cell, which could increase the electrical supply for the reaction of dissociation of water. 
The new project, entitled PECHouse will try to improve this by developing materials more stable. Indeed, the main obstacle to the development of such cells is to find materials that resist corrosion while retaining an affordable price. With a budget of about 3.1 million, PECHouse is supported by the Federal Office of Energy and can benefit from the expertise and skills of EMPA, the federal laboratory dedicated to materials.
Knowledge Based-
WHY PEC RESEARCH ?
Hydrogen, H2, has the potential to meet the requirements of a sustainable and carbon-neutral fuel in the future, if it can be produced from our sun, the world’s most abundant energy source, and stored and transported safely.
At present, there is still a large gap between our present global energy consumption (around 13 terawatts, TW), our use of solar energy to supply the world’s energy demand (less than 2 %), and the enormous untapped potential of the sun (120′000 TW).
The development of photoelectrochemical cells (PEC) is promoted by increasing public awareness that the Earth’s oil reserves could run out during this century. Public concern has been heightened as well by the environmental pollution and the climatic consequences of the greenhouse effect caused by fossil fuel combustion.
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Update Swiss law - Research on the living
Over the past year, the Swiss Parliament has changed its legislation concerning the use of living beings for experimental purposes or therapeutic. The process was conducted in three stages:
- Revision in June 2007, the law on patents for biotechnological inventions;
- The ratification in October 2007 by the National Council and in December 2007 by the Council of States of the European Convention on the Rights of Man and Biomedicine;
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Quantum teleportation: more than 100,000 times the speed of light?
The correlation between two physical phenomena is generally explained by two separate mechanisms: either the first event has influenced the second, or both events have the same cause in a common past.
Quantum physics, however, involves a third mechanism called entanglement. In this context, even if two phenomena are too remote to interact by direct exchange of information, it is nevertheless possible to observe a correlation such that any modification of one side is passed on the other. These phenomena violate a set of laws of classical physics: Bell inequalities. This phenomenon can be explained only if one rejects the hypothesis of a common past. If the existence of these intricacies is commonly accepted now, scientists are not yet able to explain their origin.
The team of Professor Gisin, already known to cause the first quantum teleportation long distance in 2003 (ie transmission of information faster than light), focused on One explanation considered: the existence of an invisible bar, infinitely long and rigid capable of linking objects and transmit information. The researchers focused their work on determining the rigidity of this bar because it is directly linked to the speed of propagation of information. To do this, the team used the fiber-optic network the company Swisscom and measured over a period of 24 hours, the correlations between two geographically separate events of 18 km.
Data show that if this theory is proved Bar, the speed of propagation of information must be more than 100,000 times the speed of light. According to the authors, this theory invalid and researchers are now turning to the hypothesis that quantum correlations occur simultaneously in several places as if they came from outside the space-time.
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The Paul Scherrer Institute - PSI
Matthew LEFRANCOIS - Dominique Pladys
The Paul Scherrer Institute is a multidisciplinary research institute located in Villigen (near Zurich) in 2008, celebrating its 20 years of existence in its current form.
At the end of World War II, the Federal Military Department establishes a commission to study nuclear energy chaired by Paul Scherrer. The company Reaktor AG, founded by 125 companies, receiving at the time of large grants from the Swiss Confederation for the development of an experimental reactor heavy water and natural uranium. But, facing financial difficulties, Reaktor AG was dissolved in 1960 and its research facilities were recovered by the Confederation to form the Swiss Federal Institute reactors (IFR). Following the accident on the site of Lucens in 1969, which ended the dream of a nuclear reactor entirely produced in Switzerland-IFR merged in 1988 with the Swiss Institute of Nuclear Physics to the current PSI.
PSI employs 1280 people for an operating budget of 174.2 million euros (2007 data). Attached to the field of federal polytechnic schools, is funded to 85% by the Confederation. In addition to its own activities, it provides the infrastructure not only to academics but also to manufacturers who wish to use the facilities of PSI in the development of their products.
In this document:
1. Introduction of PSI
2. Research areas
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SP involves the development of technology for safety, reliability and immunity to severe environmental conditions.
SP (Technical Research Institute of Sweden creates, uses and shares knowledge for the development and evaluation of technology, products and processes in a way that is internationally competitive.) develop knowledge for embedded and distributed systems, supported by substantial R&D facilities in a number of niche areas: EMC, radio technology, antenna technology, reliable systems (e.g. distributed control systems in vehicles) and robust design. They also carry out research into precision measurement methods, properties of materials and time signals over the Internet.
Swedish industry includes many companies that use electronics in the form of embedded systems in their products. Automotive manufacturers and the telecommunications sector have very high requirements in respect of reliability and function. SP’s well-equipped laboratories deliver test results that are internationally recognized and accepted.
Their large-scale EMC laboratories are one of northern Europe’s most important resources in this sector. Many products must be CE-marked if they are to be sold in the European market. With its detailed knowledge of the Low-Voltage Directive (electrical safety), explosion protection regulations (ATEX), EMC, radio and telecommunication terminals, taximeters (MID), blasting equipment and machinery safety, SP is well placed to perform the necessary tests. They offer accredited mechanical and climatic testing of products for use in severe environments, as well as testing and approval of ESD protective products.
