Nano-Radios and Molecular-Sized Solar Cells, Best of WT

[This show first aired 10/22/2007.]

First up we discussed the Nano-radio - a radio transmitter made from carbon nanotubes. That's right - a radio transmitter the size of a molecule.

Second we talked about molecular-sized solar cells. This, obviously, could be used to power nanoscale devices, but Phil also pointed out that scaled up this might be another path to increased efficientcy in standard-sized solar panels.

Next we discussed a development in materials science - transparent plastic as strong as steel. Phil blogged about this a few weeks ago. It was in this discussion that Phil mentioned the newly opened Grand Canyon Skywalk pictured above. Stephen admitted that even the idea of this structure gives him vertigo. The floors are transparent!

Next we talked about dendrimers. Scientists were excited about this molecule 20+ years ago, but little came of it. Perhaps now the time has come.