The concentrator photovoltaic cell can create five-folds the power of a typical system

IBM Corp's new technology uses lenses to concentrate the power of the sun to increase the amount of energy produced by solar cells. The idea is the same as when kids try to burn leaves using a magnifying glass.

One of the challenges facing IBM was to avoid the photovoltaic cells from becoming a burnt leaf; the heat produced is so high that it can burn stainless steel. Special liquid metal is used as the surface which can reduce temperatures from 3,000 degrees to 185 degrees.

With more power generated, it would take less equipment and less money to build solar electric systems.

Also, while determining ways of cooling down chips, IBM recently unveiled high-end computers that are cooled using water.

Source: Article by Bob Keefe