Comments on: Electric Airplanes Could Fly Forever on Laser Beams

By: Zachary Shahan

Zachary Shahan — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 16:32:00 +0000

just as a small technicality, the record is 43.5% now (not very relevant to your points, but just dropping that in):
http://cleantechnica.com/2011/04/19/solar-junction-breaks-concentrated-solar-world-record-with-43-5-efficiency/
http://cleantechnica.com/2012/05/31/sharp-hits-concentrator-solar-cell-efficiency-record-43-5/

By: guest

guest — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 08:18:00 +0000

is it “over the line” because it is missing the word ?

Say right after the comma in the first sentence ….”for weapons of war, I don’t they really care about energy losses”….

without the word my mind kind of just erases the word just after the word this makes it read rather different and makes Shecky seem not so pleasnat

By: T Adkins

T Adkins — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 08:01:00 +0000

The PV you speak of have those efficiencies converting normal sunlight into usable power, with the lasers the PV and the lasers would be more of a matching spectrum and thus more efficient. The laser should also be able to be used over a longer distance.

By: Bob_Wallace

Bob_Wallace — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 16:33:00 +0000

You know, Shecky, I’m pretty much a peacenik. I really dislike war. But I do think your last comment goes over the line.

By: Shecky Vegas

Shecky Vegas — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 16:29:00 +0000

Considering the initial purpose of this new tech is for weapons of war, I don’t they really care about energy losses while recharging. As long as they get to kill somebody…

By: tsport100

tsport100 — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 03:29:00 +0000

This is based on powering up PV cells using a Laser so it will not produce a very efficient system. Average PV cells are approx 20% energy efficient, the world record for triple junction cells is only 43%… meaning 60-80% in losses.

Wireless powered aircraft demo’s have been around since the 1960’s. William Brown demonstrated a microwave powered helicopter live on TV in 1964. This microwave radio system achieved up to 84% energy efficiency.