Ya Yang and Zhong Lin Wang
RESEARCHERS, AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
Innovation:
Invented hybrid wind and solar panels.
Vision:
To save space in urban areas, Ya Yang and colleagues integrated two energy-harvesting technologies in one: A silicon solar cell and a nanogenerator that can convert wind energy into electrical output. The solar cell will deliver 8 milliWatts of power output—enough to power about 800 small LED light bulbs—and the wind harvesting competent will deliver up to 26 milliWatts.
Economics:
Installing a number of Yang’s devices on rooftops across cities could power smart devices across the grid through clean and renewable energy sources without relying on fossil fuels.
