BASF presents energy generating concept of the future
A gate at the 64th International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany, takes visitors to the energy generating world of the future.
- (1888PressRelease) September 15, 2011 - This futuristic structure consists of 85 individual transparent solar modules based on organic semiconductor materials from BASF. Along with smart, the urban mobility pioneer, and solar cell manufacturer Konarka, BASF is presenting for the first time a concept that allows polymeric solar cells to be used to add esthetic appeal in architectural applications: a concept suitable for urban energy generation. The structure marks the entrance to the smart urban stage, a series of exhibitions on “the future of the city” that centers on the smart future minds award.
The prototype structure forms a gate with a clearance of about five meters and a width of nearly four meters to match the futuristic smart urban stage design. BASF has developed a semiconducting polymer, Sepiolid P200®, that absorbs light in the solar gate modules to generate solar electricity. “Organic semiconductors are key materials that have a decisive role to play in making solar modules efficient,” explained Dr. Stephan Klotz, who heads the Printed Electronics business at BASF Future Business GmbH, and added: “These materials must also meet very specific requirements, including processability and durability.” Semiconducting polymers are complex chemical compounds that are created in intricate multi-stage synthesis processes. BASF has been pioneering these processes. “As a result we can offer industrial scale supply of these products to our customers today,” said Klotz.
The advantages of organic semiconductor technology: such solar modules can be manufactured to be ultra-thin, flexible and even semi-transparent. In addition they produce high yields even when the light is diffused and irradiation angles are unfavorable. Thanks to these properties they are perfectly suitable for being integrated in buildings – even for curved surfaces and facades that do not face south, or in tensioned structures.
About BASF Future Business GmbH
BASF Future Business GmbH, a 100 percent subsidiary of BASF SE, was founded in April 2001. It aims to open up business areas with above-average growth rates that lie outside BASF's mainstream activities. The company focuses on chemistry-based new materials, technologies and system solutions. BASF Future Business GmbH commissions research from BASF’s R&D units and cooperates with startup companies, industrial partners, universities and potential customers. Other alternatives include the acquisition of direct stakes, joint ventures with partner companies or provision of venture capital via the subsidiary BASF Venture Capital GmbH. Further information on BASF Future Business GmbH is available on the Internet at www.basf-fb.de.
About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, and agricultural products to oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than €63.9 billion in 2010 and had approximately 109,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com or in its Social Media Newsroom at newsroom.basf.com.
About the smart urban stage
The smart urban stage is a series of exhibitions that centers on the smart future minds award and pertinent exhibits. Specially designed for the purpose, the temporary exhibition space sets up camp in eleven European metropolises, providing a stage for creative minds, opinion leaders and trend setters to shape and experience the urban spaces of today and tomorrow. The setting for the exhibition, events and forums is an ultra-flexible inflatable architectural structure that blends in with urban spaces and moves on to the next metropolis after two to six weeks without leaving any residues.
Up to the final exhibit at Frankfurt in September 2011, the smart urban stage visited eleven European cities to present all in all 110 forward-looking visionary projects on the “future of the city.” The award-winning projects from each of these exhibits were simultaneously short-listed for the international smart future minds award, which was presented to the award-winning project during the smart urban stage opening ceremony in Frankfurt in the evening of September 13. The eleven projects nominated for the international award will be on display at the smart urban stage in Frankfurt from September 15 through 25. To find out more visit http://www.smart-urban-stage.com/
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