In the 80s, I was hot on the idea of recycling tin cans. The systems that are now in place for paper weren’t there. One thing that was apparent, was the idea of Solar Panels. What we now call PV (Photovoltaic) panels, were very primitive and pulled a small fraction of what the latest ones do. In the new Millenium, we have advanced to the point that small panels can easily draw 200 watts plus. Larger ones can draw in excess of 400! When these are stuck together, they form what you see on the roofs of houses.
Using natural surroundings to produce our power needs is a given. As the technology develops, we are reminded of how much we use. Energy is not free, but we can get close to it. From this, I have been looking at the option of using our environment to power and send signals. It sounds like a futuristic concept, maybe one from an alien world, but there are companies that can produce electricty from plants. If that can happen, then so can signal-arrays. This bizarre concept came from a kayak trip in 2019. We laughed at the consistency of the mobile phone signal regardless of where we were in the Swedish countryside. We decided that the trees must be helping the process.
It may be a crazy option, but it is something I’d like to look further into. Perhaps it will change the world? I guess we will see…or not. Bring your inventive ideas to life and let me know. I love to hear other’s stories. Prototyping is expensive, but if you put your hands on it, you can make basic ideas without the need for factories and large resin printers. Stay safe, stay sharp and be yourself!
