Path: utzoo!utgpu!attcan!uunet!lll-winken!lll-tis!helios.ee.lbl.gov!nosc!ucsd!ucbvax!decwrl!labrea!glacier!jbn
From: jbn@glacier.STANFORD.EDU (John B. Nagle)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Optical power distribution
Keywords: power supplies, batteries
Message-ID: <17588@glacier.STANFORD.EDU>
Date: 28 Jul 88 17:10:20 GMT
References: <1075@gethen.UUCP> <6315@bloom-beacon.MIT.EDU> <118@luna.UUCP> <5741@pogo.GPID.TEK.COM> <2627@kitty.UUCP> <1355@kodak.UUCP>
Reply-To: jbn@glacier.UUCP (John B. Nagle)
Organization: Stanford University
Lines: 17


      Some recent work at Stanford on solar cells has produced experimental 
units with around 30% efficiency.  (This is not something that I'm involved
with; I just happened to hear about it.)  These are considered "concentrator
cells", for they work at higher light intensities than sunlight, and thus would
be used with collecting optics in solar energy applications.

      The solar energy applications aside, devices like this open up the
possibility of performing power distribution within electronic systems
via optical means.  While there are efficiency penalties, in situations
where other considerations predominate, such as RFI/EMI, EMP immunity,
electrical safety, and explosion prevention, there will be a role for
optical power distribution.  From operating rooms to jet fighters, from
fuel storage tanks to high-end audio equipment, the advantages of optical
power distribution, coupled with fiber-optic signal cabling, offer
advantages over traditional electrical conductors.

						John Nagle