TAMU-CT signs agreement with Center for Solar Energy
Fri, 2016-07-01 05:00
News Staff
By CHUCK TAYLOR
Cove Leader-Press
On Tuesday a large crowd of dignitaries gathered at Warrior Hall on the campus of Texas A&M Central Texas to learn about an addition to the University.
The university has received a $1.5 million research grant from the Chancellor’s Research Initiative to bring an aspiring new researcher, Taylor Harvey, to the campus to engage in a collaborative solar research initiative.
The university signed an agreement to work with the Center for Solar Energy to develop new technology which will have a long term impact on this region and the United States.
Marc Nigliazzo, president of the university, introduced Bruce Mercy, the executive director of the Center For Solar Energy and spoke of how happy TAMU-CT is to be able to work with the center.
Nigliazzo also introduced Harvey to the attending audience and related some of the accomplishments and talents that Harvey brings to the campus. He earned his undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University and his doctorate from the University of Texas.
While researching better ways to capture energy, Harvey has invented and patented two new technologies, including a paint impregnated with nanos which harness solar power and create electricity.
Essentially, this may result in a brand-new industry whereby the old bulky solar panels become obsolete. Imagine painting a roof and receiving free power.
The second invention opens an entire new world of possibilities. Harvey has come up with an ink which also has nanos in it. He envisions being able to use this ink to print power patches on clothing, paper, products, etc. In essence, individuals would be able to wear their energy source. Harvey noted that the sun’s rays in one day have the ability to produce 8,000 times the amount of electricity than the earth consumes in one day.
Another announcement involves the university getting two electron microscopes, one of which will be permanently placed in the science department and the other a mobile version which will be able to travel to other colleges and high schools to give students a tool which has been too expensive for the average educational institution.
A layman’s explanation of just exactly what a nano is essentially explains it is a small particle in the molecular or atomic range which is programmed to perform a specific task.
Tuesday’s event concluded with the signing of an affiliation agreement between TAMU-CT and the Center for Solar Energy. The University has engaged CSI director Bruce Mercy for five years to create a hub of research, evaluation development and testing of emerging solar technologies in Central Texas.