A University of Southern California team has produced flexible transparent carbon atom films that may have great potential for a brand new variety of solar cells.

In a paper recently published by the journal ACS Nano, researchers stated that organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells have been proposed as a technique to achieve low priced energy due to their ease of manufacture, light weight, and compatibility with flexible substrates.

The new work shows that graphene, an extremely conductive and highly transparent kind of carbon made up of atoms-thick sheets of carbon atoms, has high possibility to fill this role.

While graphene’s existence has been known for many years, it has only been studied extensively since 2004 because of the impracticality of manufacturing it in high quality and in quantity.

The University of southern California team has produced graphene/polymer sheets ranging in sizes about 150 square centimeters that in turn can be used to create dense arrays of flexible organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells.

These organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices convert solar radiation to electricity, although not as efficiently as silicon cells.

The energy provided by sunlight on a sunny day is about 1,000 watts per meter square, for every 1,000 watts of sunlight that hits a square meter part of the standard silicon solar cell, 14 watts of electricity will be generated, Organic solar cells are less efficient; their conversion rate for that same 1,000 watts of sunlight in the graphene-based solar cell would be only 1.3 watts.

But what graphene organic photovoltaic (OPV) lack in efficiency, can potentially be compensated by its lower price and, greater physical flexibility.

Researchers think it may eventually be possible to cover with inexpensive solar cell layers extensive areas like newspapers, magazines or power generating clothing.

In the meanwhile Prof. Ruoff and his colleagues of the mechanical engineering department at the University of Texas at Austin, are studying the basic science in the development of graphene-based ultracapacitors for usage in electronics and various fields.

Prof. Ruoff says batteries are relatively slow, they can store energy but take time to charge up, and then they distribute energy slowly, over time.

Ultracapacitors can be charged very quickly, within seconds, and discharge in a short time, but, today, they can’t store very much electrical energy.

The development of stable and less costly ultracapacitors is seen as a key step in using wind or solar-generated power, particularly if researchers can find solutions to enable capacitors to store energy longer, that is not yet possible.

Even with their current storage capacity, the graphene devices could provide quick energy when needed in certain situations on the green way.

They could be used, for example, to absorb heat generated in braking an automobile or train, and store it for a short time, and then use it for the electrical needs of the vehicle (i.e. starting the auto or acceleration)

About the writer - Sophia H. Walker writes for the solar battery charger blog, her personal hobby site related to tips to help individuals save electricity using solar powered energy for small accessories.

Today in our Recent Camera Reviews Mix we won’t speak about reviews – that’s strange! – but about this year’s FOCUS ON IMAGING show where numerous manufacturers are showing their latest equipment.

FOCUS ON IMAGING is Europe’s biggest annual imaging show, covering all your needs from image capture through to output and beyond. Over 200 exhibitors and product launches galore - including all the very latest digital cameras and processing equipment. It is a great photography show, giving you the chance to not only look at the latest digital cameras and equipment, but also purchase some great deals.

Focus On Imaging 2009 was held on 22nd - 25th of February at the Birmingham NEC.

So, the following cameras from Olympus, Canon, Sony, Nikon, Fujifilm, and Kodak were at Focus on Imaging (we may consider them as most interesting 2009’s announcements):

• Nikon Coolpix L100 - 28mm wide-angle 15x zoom lens, 10 Mp, point-and shoot
• Nikon Coolpix P90 - 24x optical zoom, 3.0-inch tilt LCD, 12 Mp, full manual controls
• Canon Powershot SX200 IS – 12.1 Mp, 12x optical zoom, HD movies
• Canon Digital IXUS 95 IS(EU)/PowerShotSD1200 IS(US)– 10Mp, 3x zoom
• Canon Digital IXUS 100 IS(EU)/ PowerShot SD780 IS(US) - Canon’s smallest IXUS, 12 Mp, 3x zoom, HD movies
• Canon Powershot D10 - Canon’s first waterproof, 12Mp, 3x zoom
• Sony Cybershot W270 - 12.1 Mp, 5x zoom, 28mm wide angle lens, HD movies
• Sony Cybershot T900 - Ultra Slim Camera, 12.1 Mp, 4x zoom, HD movies
• Sony Cybershot H20 - Compact 10x zoom, 10.1 Mp, 3.0 inch LCD
• Olympus Mju Stylus 7000 - Compact Metal Body, 12 Mp, 7x zoom
• Olympus Mju Stylus 9000 - Compact Metal Body, 12 Mp, 10x zoom, 28mm wide angle lens
• Olympus SP-590 Ultra Zoom - 12.0 Mp, 26x optical zoom, 26mm wide-angle lens
• Kodak Easyshare Z980 Ultra Zoom – 12 Mp, 24x zoom, 26-624mm lens, with vertical grip, HD picture and video capture
• Fujifilm F200 EXR - New 1/ 1.6-inch Super CCD EXR Sensor, 12 Mp, 5x zoom

Focus on Imaging 2009 visited digicamreview.

Read more about Focus on Imaging Show.

Read our Recent Camera Review Mix on Mondays and Thursdays. See you later!

All these super-slim cameras share features like easy-to-use Intelligent Auto for quick, hassle-free shooting; Advanced Face Detection for sharp portrait pictures; In-Camera Help Guides for the ultimate learn-as-you-go digital experience; VGA Movie Recording with Sound; a rechargeable lithium-ion battery for added convenience; and an LCD backlight boost for viewing images in bright light.

The Olympus FE-3000 and Olympus FE-5010 will be first to ship from January 2009. The Olympus FE-3010 will follow from March 2009.

Olympus FE-3000 Ultra Compact:

• Planned Price: $139.99
• Sensor Type: 1/2.33″ CCD
• 10 megapixels Resolution
• Maximum Image Size: 3648 x 2736
• No Viewfinder
• 2.7″ LCD
• 3x optical zoom
• Focal Length Equivalent: 36 - 108mm
• Face Detection
• Intelligent Auto Mode
• 16 easy-to-use Shooting Modes
• Will be available in light blue, black and silver

Olympus FE-3010 Ultra Compact:

• Planned Price: $149.99
• Sensor Type: 1/2.33″ CCD
• 12 megapixels Resolution
• Maximum Image Size: 3968 x 2976
• No Viewfinder
• 2.7″, LCD
• 3x Optical Zoom
• Focal Length Equivalent: 36 - 108mm
• Will be available in magenta, black and silver

Olympus FE-5010 Ultra Compact:

• Planned Price: $189.99
• Sensor Type: 1/2.33″ CCD
• 12 megapixels resolution
• Maximum Image Size: 3968 x 2976
• No Viewfinder
• 2.7″ LCD
• 5x optical zoom
• Focal Length Equivalent: 36 - 180mm
• Advanced Face Detection (up to 16 faces)
• Perfect Fix In-Camera Editing
• Smile Shot
• Expression Edit
• Dual Image Stabilization
• Will be available in plum, navy blue and black

Olympus Imaging America Inc. is responsible for sales in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

The Kodak Z980 presents wealth of power, versatility, and pleasure to handle both long-distance and wide-angle shots.

• 24x Image Stabilised Optical Zoom lens
• Focal length Equivalent: 26-624mm
• 12 Megapixel Resolution
• 3 inch LCD screen
• Vertical Shutter Release
• Hot Shoe for the optional KODAK P20 flash
• Detachable vertical grip
• HD picture and video capture
• Affordable Price
• Available from Spring 2009

The Kodak Z980 is undoubtedly the most interesting announcement of the group. Alongside the Z980, Kodak has also announced several other new digital cameras for the Consumer Electronics Show, however.

The new Kodak Easyshare M380:

• Sleek but powerful digital camera
• 10 Megapixel Sensor
• 5x optical zoom
• 2.7 inch LCD
• Available in black, red and teal from March 2009

The Kodak M340:

• 10 Megapixel Sensor
• 3x Optical Zoom
• 2.7 inch LCD
• Slim Body Design
• Available in blue, blue-green, silver and red from March 2009

The Kodak M320:

• Kodak Perfect Touch technology
• Automatic Red-Eye Reduction
• Shadow Lightening
• 2.7 inch LCD
• 9 Megapixel Sensor
• 3x Optical Zoom
• Available in black, silver, red and blue from February, 2009

A range of accessories will be available for the new KODAK Digital Cameras including KODAK Li-Ion Rechargeable Digital Camera Batteries and battery charger kits; KODAK SD and SDHC High Performance Memory Cards; KODAK Camera Bags and much more.

1. Canon PowerShot SX10 IS – replaces the popular and long-running Canon S5 IS, updating Canon’s ultrazoom with a new 20x lens, a 10 megapixel sensor, and DIGIC IV processing.

2. Nikon Coolpix S210 – a tiny 8.1 megapixel camera with a 3x Nikkor zoom lens, 2.5-inch LCD, and sensitivity to ISO 2000. A nice combination of value, style, and performance.

3. Canon PowerShot SX110 IS – a 9 megapixel compact camera with a 10x zoom lens. Also features optical image stabilization, a 3-inch LCD, and manual exposure control modes.

4. Canon PowerShot A590 IS– follows closely in the footsteps of the Powershot A570 IS, features a 4x optically stabilized zoom lens, DIGIC III processor, 2.5-inch LCD, and an optical viewfinder.

5. Fujifilm FinePix S1000fd – a 10 megapixel camera with a 12x (33-396mm) zoom lens, a 2.7-inch LCD, and an electronic viewfinder in a body styled like a miniature DSLR.

6. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 – an update to the popular Lumix FZ18 with a 10.1 megapixel sensor and an 18x Leica zoom lens. Image stabilization, Venus Engine IV processing, and an auto scene select function round out the list of features and options.

7. Canon PowerShot G10 – a replacement to the popular G9, the 14.7 megapixel G10 is a compact for advanced users, with lots of manual exposure control and a rugged metal exterior.

8. Nikon Coolpix P80 – with a 10.1 megapixel sensor and a 18x zoom lens, the P80 marks Nikon’s strong return to the ultrazoom space. EXPEED processing, Vibration Reduction, and a large LCD look to provide serious appeal for serious shooters.

9. Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS – an 8 megapixel update to the popular SD1000 sports optical image stabilization, face detection, Canon’s DIGIC III processor, ISO from 80 to 1600, 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio (for HDTV display), and automatic red-eye correction.

10. Canon PowerShot A1000 IS – a fun, easy-to-use 10 megapixel compact digital camera with a 4x optical zoom, optical image stabilization, a 2.5-inch LCD, and several scene presets.