SIlver Cell construction (via The Autralian NAtional University)

Soldiers carry a lot of weight. With radios, night-vision devices, flashlights, communication systems, ammunition, and other basic supplies the weight approaches the point of hurting the person carrying it all. In fact, major-general of the Australian army said, "It's not good for a soldier's back to be carrying that much weight."

One area that can benefit from advancing technology has been the size of the electronics and the power systems. In the distant past, communications were powered by heavy lead-acid batteries. Later came lighter weight battery packs that have been getting smaller and more energy dense every year. The progress does not stop here. The Australian army is testing the possible use of lightweight solar panels, eliminating the need for any large battery pack.

The new solar cells are a bit different than standard silicon based panels. Called "Silver Cells," the panel arranges the photovoltaic elements in thinly sliced pieces, vertically, in a silicon frame. The cells use 90% less silicon than other mono crystalline cells of equivalent output. In other words, the costs are lower.

The elements are 50 to 100mm long, 1 - 2mm wide, and 45micrometers thick. Both sides of the element can absorb light. Due to the bifacial response of the Silver cell, the optimal angles are increased. And the cells work well on curved surfaces. Open circuit voltage of the cell is in the 600 - 700mV range. Connected in series or parallel, for whatever voltage the application needs, the cells are capable of 140 Watts per square meter.

The plan is to cover soldier's helmets, tents, and clothing. Testing will be conducted over a few years before acceptance for true field use. What they will soon discover is that the reflective nature of solar panels will not be good for concealing soldiers or objects. Much like flashing the sun off a mirror at your enemies. I would imagine a whole group of soldiers would look like they are sparkling. Not the most intimidating look out there.

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KLM Passenger Jet via KLM

The oldest airline with the same name since it started, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines founded in the Netherlands in 1919, is showing off the first use of a biofuel blend on a commercial passenger aircraft. 170 passengers on a Boeing 737-800 flew from Amsterdam to Paris on June 22, 2011. KLM managing director Camiel Eurlings spoke about the use of the fuel, "In November 2009 we demonstrated that it was technically possible to fly on biokerosene. Now, a year and a half after our first demonstration flight on Camelina, a new phase has been entered around the world, that of certification. Authorisation will soon be granted to operate commercial flights on biofuel. I am especially proud to announce that KLM will take this substantial step in September."

Biokerosene if a 50/50 blend of kerosene and biofuel made from used cooking oil produced by Dynamic Fuels, a Tyson Foods and Syntroleum Corporation partnership. The Biokerosene met the same specifications of standard kerosene, and required no modification to the aircraft. The end result was a substantial reduction of CO2 emissions and a minimum negative impact on biodiversity and the food supply due to the fuel source.

KLM's consortium that is seeking out and developing sustainable aviation biofuel, SkyNRG, supplied the fuel. After seeking the advice of an independent sustainability board consisting of Solidaridad, Copernicus Institute of the University of Utrecht, and the World Wide Fund for Nature, they were given the OK on the mix of Biokerosene.

KLM admits that the price of the Biokerosene is very high. To meet true sustainability, the price of the fuel has to "come down substantially and permanently." However, KLM's demonstration is an indicator of big changes on the way. No wonder KLM has been a sector leader of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the past six years.

Perhaps they should look into algae, as in the recent U.S. Navy's recent biofuel helicopter test fight.

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MyCopter Concept Image via Jan Kranendonk

Personal aerial vehicles (PAV) are coming in droves. Does it make sense to let the general populous fly them all over the place? The European Commission (EC) wants to know.

A €4.3 million euro EC research project called "MyCopter" will focus helicopter-style PAVs. The project will feature automatically flying vehicles as they swarm around each other. The choice of helicopter based transport is due to the fact a runway is not needed, a vertical takeoff is possible from a parking space. Unlike the 2,500 feet need for the Terrafugia Airplane Car.

MyCopter will start with 10 quad-copter robots. A research team from the University of Liverpool, UK, and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EDFL) will be going over sensing, collision avoidance, communications, and speed and reliability of other wireless services like GPS for autonomous flight. Dario Floreano's team from EPFL have created 360 degree vision and acoustic systems for the 10 bots in the study. When visibility is low Floreano said, "You can work out the speed and direction of approaching aircraft from the sound they make [via the acoustic sensors]."

A set of rules for autonomous flight will eventually come from this research project. Will all of us start fly flying around anytime soon though?

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