Bitpost wiki - User contributions [en]

Off-world Power Generation Crowdfunding

2019-02-13T06:19:02Z

Dan: /* Engagement */

Social media outlets:
* Freespace.energy website
* indiegogo - cannot offer securities but can offer memberships!
* kickstarter - must offer a product
* subreddit
* stack exchange
* twitter
* instagram
* facebook
* youtube

=== Form a company ===

Will it be a nonprofit? An electric co-op? Traditional C-corp? Multiple entities?

Name ideas: Freespace Energy, a Division of Miller Power

=== Tagline Proposals ===

Possible bits:
* Join us in a DIY effort to develop a new power source large enough to impact the world's economy and help solve climate change.
* Imagine making oil, coal and fracking obsolete. humankind needs to look to the virtually unlimited freely available resource of solar power. It's everywhere around us. It fills space.
* Feeling helpless about our dying planet? Frustrated by the ceaseless plundering of Earth by the coal, gas and oil industries? Tired of waiting for a plan? Well we're going to actually do something about it. Miller Offworld Power will send solar panels to space and beam the collected energy back to earth with lasers. yeah. frickin' lasers. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, non-stop power. We have a working prototype and want to enter phase 2 - optimization and scaling up. Join us in the fight for our planet.
* In another world, Earth isn't dying, it's prospering. And the inhabitants have access to unlimited offworld free energy. With your help, We can make that our reality.
* The level of safety and precision that will be required for this project is high, and will be the primary focus during development,along with efficiency. We must be able to safely beam energy across millions of miles to a precise point, within a precise time frame, with no chance of system failure or third-party tampering.
* The shells and exxons will aggressively attack this project. They are used to winning, and will find a cooperative effort like this reduces their power. We may get into patent battles; any patents we are forced to fight for will be made public and available for all. As a species, we have embraced a competitive capitalism to the point where we have forgotten how to share. This will be required at a global level to solve our larger problems. Let's all put a tank of gas money into this and get the ball rolling.
* Safety: there will be a very small number of people who will want to weaponize any form of power. Safeguards must be in place to prevent this. There will be a larger number of people and corporations that want to maintain the old guard power monopoly, and will inflate the dangers, as a deterrant to change. These exaggerations must be scientifically disproven.
* No human beings will be required to enter space.
* It will be an electric utility co,-op, in space
* We are not interested in a large marketing advertising or sales team. We don't want the financial burden of a large workforce drawing on donations. We want financially-driven collaboration to be focused solely on improving the project plans. This will be open to be done by any scientifically minded and DIY people who share our passion.

=== Script of 2-3 min Pitch ===

==== Intro overview ====
- Concept
- Possible styles:
- Whiteboard style, but fast real-time good-enough; hires, so whole whiteboard can be seen; minimize BS drawing, just zoom and pan; intersperse with NASA/offworld footage
- Sun power capacity
- Lagrange points
- Laser (vs microwave)
- Self assembling and adaptable
- Size estimate "nebraska"
- Zoom way in, to show it's not that bad; include Earth edge for perspective (how?)
- Philosophy
- Annual crowdfunding
- One year contract hire based on raise
- Board will make no contracts not funded by raise or organic revenue; that means the project will never die, at worst it will slow but never stop.
- This will be an open collaboration of a global collective. Software and hardware specs will be open source and available online. Third party contributions will be welcome.

==== Interesting details ====
- Tech
- optimize free space power transmission in lab conditions using currently-available consumer electronics
- create a solar panel array with robotics that can self-assemble
- create robotics that can precisely and safely aim laser energy to a distant target
- use a real-time handshaking protocol that includes a constant low-power return laser
- use an outer lower-powered tripwire laser that rotates around the main beam, providing safe cutoff on any interference
- determine the cheapest possible option to launch a payload from Earth and navigate it to a final stable destination (lagrange or Earth orbit)
- determine the requirements to receive laser power at an Earth-based power plant
- crowdfund the project

- project plans
- Power delivered to any willing utilities, worldwide; no bias towards any race Creed nationality etc
- Price point always set at no more than 95% of fossil fuel price, adjusted monthly
- when sufficient power comes online, it will automatically render the extraction of fossil fuels from the Earth's crust economically infeasible
- Lower price points may be provided for countries or regions in greater need, at the discretion of the board
- Team
- Can we give teasers? Eg "Xamarin maniac, Rubik's cube destroyer", "ee maker, 100mph fpv racer", "physics PhD, astronaut-in-training"

==== Engagement ====
- Long term plan
- This is a lifetime pledge from us to you
- Opportunities for involvement
- Project challenges will be posted for any contributors to engage
- Annual crowdfunding and hiring
- This year's rewards
- t-shirt, mug, bumper sticker (Get the Frak off our Planet) type swag
- Widgets
- free space power transmission lab prototype
- Incentives
- Memberships

Off-world Power Generation Crowdfunding

2019-02-13T06:17:42Z

Dan:

Social media outlets:
* Freespace.energy website
* indiegogo - cannot offer securities but can offer memberships!
* kickstarter - must offer a product
* subreddit
* stack exchange
* twitter
* instagram
* facebook
* youtube

=== Form a company ===

Will it be a nonprofit? An electric co-op? Traditional C-corp? Multiple entities?

Name ideas: Freespace Energy, a Division of Miller Power

=== Tagline Proposals ===

Possible bits:
* Join us in a DIY effort to develop a new power source large enough to impact the world's economy and help solve climate change.
* Imagine making oil, coal and fracking obsolete. humankind needs to look to the virtually unlimited freely available resource of solar power. It's everywhere around us. It fills space.
* Feeling helpless about our dying planet? Frustrated by the ceaseless plundering of Earth by the coal, gas and oil industries? Tired of waiting for a plan? Well we're going to actually do something about it. Miller Offworld Power will send solar panels to space and beam the collected energy back to earth with lasers. yeah. frickin' lasers. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, non-stop power. We have a working prototype and want to enter phase 2 - optimization and scaling up. Join us in the fight for our planet.
* In another world, Earth isn't dying, it's prospering. And the inhabitants have access to unlimited offworld free energy. With your help, We can make that our reality.
* The level of safety and precision that will be required for this project is high, and will be the primary focus during development,along with efficiency. We must be able to safely beam energy across millions of miles to a precise point, within a precise time frame, with no chance of system failure or third-party tampering.
* The shells and exxons will aggressively attack this project. They are used to winning, and will find a cooperative effort like this reduces their power. We may get into patent battles; any patents we are forced to fight for will be made public and available for all. As a species, we have embraced a competitive capitalism to the point where we have forgotten how to share. This will be required at a global level to solve our larger problems. Let's all put a tank of gas money into this and get the ball rolling.
* Safety: there will be a very small number of people who will want to weaponize any form of power. Safeguards must be in place to prevent this. There will be a larger number of people and corporations that want to maintain the old guard power monopoly, and will inflate the dangers, as a deterrant to change. These exaggerations must be scientifically disproven.
* No human beings will be required to enter space.
* It will be an electric utility co,-op, in space
* We are not interested in a large marketing advertising or sales team. We don't want the financial burden of a large workforce drawing on donations. We want financially-driven collaboration to be focused solely on improving the project plans. This will be open to be done by any scientifically minded and DIY people who share our passion.

=== Script of 2-3 min Pitch ===

==== Intro overview ====
- Concept
- Possible styles:
- Whiteboard style, but fast real-time good-enough; hires, so whole whiteboard can be seen; minimize BS drawing, just zoom and pan; intersperse with NASA/offworld footage
- Sun power capacity
- Lagrange points
- Laser (vs microwave)
- Self assembling and adaptable
- Size estimate "nebraska"
- Zoom way in, to show it's not that bad; include Earth edge for perspective (how?)
- Philosophy
- Annual crowdfunding
- One year contract hire based on raise
- Board will make no contracts not funded by raise or organic revenue; that means the project will never die, at worst it will slow but never stop.
- This will be an open collaboration of a global collective. Software and hardware specs will be open source and available online. Third party contributions will be welcome.

==== Interesting details ====
- Tech
- optimize free space power transmission in lab conditions using currently-available consumer electronics
- create a solar panel array with robotics that can self-assemble
- create robotics that can precisely and safely aim laser energy to a distant target
- use a real-time handshaking protocol that includes a constant low-power return laser
- use an outer lower-powered tripwire laser that rotates around the main beam, providing safe cutoff on any interference
- determine the cheapest possible option to launch a payload from Earth and navigate it to a final stable destination (lagrange or Earth orbit)
- determine the requirements to receive laser power at an Earth-based power plant
- crowdfund the project

- project plans
- Power delivered to any willing utilities, worldwide; no bias towards any race Creed nationality etc
- Price point always set at no more than 95% of fossil fuel price, adjusted monthly
- when sufficient power comes online, it will automatically render the extraction of fossil fuels from the Earth's crust economically infeasible
- Lower price points may be provided for countries or regions in greater need, at the discretion of the board
- Team
- Can we give teasers? Eg "Xamarin maniac, Rubik's cube destroyer", "ee maker, 100mph fpv racer", "physics PhD, astronaut-in-training"

==== Engagement ====
- Long term plan
- This is a lifetime pledge from us to you
- Opportunities for involvement
- Project challenges will be posted for any contributors to engage
- Annual crowdfunding and hiring
- This year's rewards
- t-shirt type swag
- Widgets
- free space power transmission lab prototype
- Incentives

Off-world Power Generation Crowdfunding

2019-02-13T06:15:14Z

Dan: /* Form a company */

Social media outlets:
* Miller Power website
* indiegogo
* kickstarter
* subreddit
* stack exchange
* twitter
* instagram
* facebook

=== Form a company ===

Will it be a nonprofit? An electric co-op? Traditional C-corp? Multiple entities?

Name ideas: Freespace Energy, a Division of Miller Power

=== Tagline Proposals ===

Possible bits:
* Join us in a DIY effort to develop a new power source large enough to impact the world's economy and help solve climate change.
* Imagine making oil, coal and fracking obsolete. humankind needs to look to the virtually unlimited freely available resource of solar power. It's everywhere around us. It fills space.
* Feeling helpless about our dying planet? Frustrated by the ceaseless plundering of Earth by the coal, gas and oil industries? Tired of waiting for a plan? Well we're going to actually do something about it. Miller Offworld Power will send solar panels to space and beam the collected energy back to earth with lasers. yeah. frickin' lasers. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, non-stop power. We have a working prototype and want to enter phase 2 - optimization and scaling up. Join us in the fight for our planet.
* In another world, Earth isn't dying, it's prospering. And the inhabitants have access to unlimited offworld free energy. With your help, We can make that our reality.
* The level of safety and precision that will be required for this project is high, and will be the primary focus during development,along with efficiency. We must be able to safely beam energy across millions of miles to a precise point, within a precise time frame, with no chance of system failure or third-party tampering.
* The shells and exxons will aggressively attack this project. They are used to winning, and will find a cooperative effort like this reduces their power. We may get into patent battles; any patents we are forced to fight for will be made public and available for all. As a species, we have embraced a competitive capitalism to the point where we have forgotten how to share. This will be required at a global level to solve our larger problems. Let's all put a tank of gas money into this and get the ball rolling.
* Safety: there will be a very small number of people who will want to weaponize any form of power. Safeguards must be in place to prevent this. There will be a larger number of people and corporations that want to maintain the old guard power monopoly, and will inflate the dangers, as a deterrant to change. These exaggerations must be scientifically disproven.
* No human beings will be required to enter space.
* It will be an electric utility co,-op, in space
* We are not interested in a large marketing advertising or sales team. We don't want the financial burden of a large workforce drawing on donations. We want financially-driven collaboration to be focused solely on improving the project plans. This will be open to be done by any scientifically minded and DIY people who share our passion.

=== Script of 2-3 min Pitch ===

==== Intro overview ====
- Concept
- Possible styles:
- Whiteboard style, but fast real-time good-enough; hires, so whole whiteboard can be seen; minimize BS drawing, just zoom and pan; intersperse with NASA/offworld footage
- Sun power capacity
- Lagrange points
- Laser (vs microwave)
- Self assembling and adaptable
- Size estimate "nebraska"
- Zoom way in, to show it's not that bad; include Earth edge for perspective (how?)
- Philosophy
- Annual crowdfunding
- One year contract hire based on raise
- Board will make no contracts not funded by raise or organic revenue; that means the project will never die, at worst it will slow but never stop.
- This will be an open collaboration of a global collective. Software and hardware specs will be open source and available online. Third party contributions will be welcome.

==== Interesting details ====
- Tech
- optimize free space power transmission in lab conditions using currently-available consumer electronics
- create a solar panel array with robotics that can self-assemble
- create robotics that can precisely and safely aim laser energy to a distant target
- use a real-time handshaking protocol that includes a constant low-power return laser
- use an outer lower-powered tripwire laser that rotates around the main beam, providing safe cutoff on any interference
- determine the cheapest possible option to launch a payload from Earth and navigate it to a final stable destination (lagrange or Earth orbit)
- determine the requirements to receive laser power at an Earth-based power plant
- crowdfund the project

- project plans
- Power delivered to any willing utilities, worldwide; no bias towards any race Creed nationality etc
- Price point always set at no more than 95% of fossil fuel price, adjusted monthly
- when sufficient power comes online, it will automatically render the extraction of fossil fuels from the Earth's crust economically infeasible
- Lower price points may be provided for countries or regions in greater need, at the discretion of the board
- Team
- Can we give teasers? Eg "Xamarin maniac, Rubik's cube destroyer", "ee maker, 100mph fpv racer", "physics PhD, astronaut-in-training"

==== Engagement ====
- Long term plan
- This is a lifetime pledge from us to you
- Opportunities for involvement
- Project challenges will be posted for any contributors to engage
- Annual crowdfunding and hiring
- This year's rewards
- t-shirt type swag
- Widgets
- free space power transmission lab prototype
- Incentives

Off-world Power Generation Research

2019-01-17T05:56:12Z

Dan: /* Free-space power transfer */ JAXA

=== Current conclusions ===

* Use a satellite in low-earth sun-synchronous polar orbit. - for a Nevada-sized array?
* Use lasers for power transmission not microwaves.
* Use batteries for storage not capacitors - perhaps not (see note below)
* Use low-power laser handshaking for safety cutoff.
* Use best-practice cyber-security.

=== Earth orbits and other locations in space ===

* earth to moon: 238,900 miles
* there are [https://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/mission/observatory_l2.html four lagrange points] that provide constant sun exposure at predictable locations
* l1 to earth/moon: 1 million miles
* A [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geosynchronous_orbit geosynchronous orbit] takes one sidereal day, and is 35,786 km (22,236 mi) above the Earth's surface. Those closer to Earth orbit faster than Earth rotates, so from Earth, they appear to move eastward while those that orbit beyond geosynchronous distances appear to move westward.
* other interesting earth orbits: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_Earth_orbit low] goes across poles, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium_Earth_orbit medium] used by GPS, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Earth_orbit high] is slow and crawls west, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molniya_orbit Molniya] spends more time away from equator; [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium_Earth_orbit#/media/File:Orbitalaltitudes.jpg relative distances diagram]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun-synchronous_orbit sun-synchronous orbits] that "ride the terminator" (the line that separates night and day, aka "dawn/dusk orbit") are low-earth polar orbits that maintain constant solar exposure. They cross many locations on the earth throughout the year - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUG5ALki-WY this guy KNOWS ORBITS, lots to learn here] - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylvgxNF3C0c sun-sync video example] - scientific satellites that use this orbit include Yohkoh, TRACE, Hinode and PROBA2
* Is there a sun-synchronous orbit that frequently passes over predictable locations on Earth's surface? That would be ideal for our purpose.

These are therefore probably less useful:

* <Earth> <-clearsky-burst-laser-- <L1 solar array>
* <Earth> <-microwave-- <Earth-orbit satellite> <-laser-- <Earth's moon> <-laser-- <L1 solar array>
* <Earth> <-clearsky-burst-laser-- <Earth's moon> <-laser-- <L1 solar array>
* <Earth-orbit satellite> <- <Earth's moon>
* <Earth's moon> <- <Earth-Sol Lagrange-point solar array>

=== Power 101 ===

* Power is measured in Newton-meters per second or Joules per second or Watts.
* [https://learn.openenergymonitor.org/electricity-monitoring/ac-power-theory/introduction openenergymonitor intro to AC power in the home]
* [https://www.coursera.org/learn/power-electronics/home/welcome Power electronics Coursera class]

=== Free-space power transfer ===

* the sun primarily produces visible light (not microwaves or gamma...)
* laser transmission is more efficient than microwave, except where earth's atmosphere interferes
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-based_solar_power current status]: A Gigawatt-range microwave system would weigh ~80,000 tons (prohibitively expensive) [https://www.energy.gov/articles/space-based-solar-power more] [https://e-reports-ext.llnl.gov/pdf/372187.pdf lots more]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell_efficiency Solar cell efficiency] - in 40 years we've gone from 22% to 46% efficiency
* Laser transmit antenna in space: 1 meter diameter per GW
* Receive: Several hundred meters across
* Wireless Power Transmission - [http://www.kenkai.jaxa.jp/eng/research/ssps/hmi-lssps.html Japan's JAXA's working notes]

=== Working Systems ===

* The latest summary of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_power_transfer#Lasers Laser power transfer] on wikipeida
* It also covers [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_power_transfer wireless power transfer] in general using many techniques

[https://www.nasa.gov/offices/oct/early_stage_innovation/centennial_challenges/beaming_tether/index.html NASA 2009 Power Beaming Competition]

[https://www.popularmechanics.com/flight/drones/a7966/how-it-works-laser-beaming-recharges-uav-in-flight-11091133/ LaserMotive charging an unmanned drone]

[http://www.spaceward.org/games space elevator, and its power beaming need]

* Attempting this challenge requires that the participating teams would excel at laser optics, photovoltaics, electrical and mechanical engineering, and overall system design. The vehicles must be lightweight yet powerful. The laser beams must be well focused while tracking the climbers, and the climbers must be adept at converting them back into electricity and then into mechanical power. If you think this sounds complicated, you're right - out of about 40 teams that tried their hand at the challenge, only 3 made it to the final challenge.

=== Coupled PV cells and Lasers ===

Often called Power Over Fiber.

MH GoPower (MHGP) produces a high-performance silicon-based vertical multijunction (VMJ) PV cell that enables high-wattage laser power transmission. See [https://www.laserfocusworld.com/articles/print/volume-51/issue-02/features/laser-powered-devices-high-concentration-pv-cell-enables-high-wattage-laser-power-transmission.html here].

Preliminary test data is shown for a 0.78 cm/sup 2/ VMJ cell with 40 series connected junctions producing 31.8 watts at 25.5 volts at near 2500 suns AM1.5 intensity (40.4 watts per cm/sup 2/ output at 211 watts per cm/sup 2/ input with an estimated efficiency near 20%).

[http://powerlighttech.com/free-space-power-beaming-2/ Powerlight] has free-space power beaming tech. LaserMotive has previously demonstrated power beaming systems with a receiver-specific power as high as 800 W/kg.

[https://www.rp-photonics.com/bg/buy_power_over_fiber.html Several vendors]

=== Solar Panels ===

Why not buy a nice full-sized panel and see what we can collect with it?

[https://www.gogreensolar.com/collections/solar-panels 330W for $271] ($.78/W)

[https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Watts-Volts-Monocrystalline-Solar/dp/B07GF5JY35/ref=sr_1_11_acs_osp_osp20-b1f7e63e-74_1?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1541474151&sr=1-11-acs&keywords=solar%2Bpanel&tag=bestcont06-20&ascsubtag=b1f7e63e-74a2-4f22-9bde-a2a7192c7ebf&linkCode=oas&cv_ct_id=amzn1.osp.b1f7e63e-74a2-4f22-9bde-a2a7192c7ebf&cv_ct_pg=search&cv_ct_wn=osp-search&pf_rd_i=solar%2Bpanel&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-inline&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pd_rd_r=65ac5c62-9821-43ee-bb09-10cee0f24e90&pd_rd_wg=PdGS4&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_r=5S3S6A8QRAKX5GP9B8ZR&pd_rd_w=uHYVU&pf_rd_p=53b688eb-671a-4acd-886f-dc89fa36d3d2&creativeASIN=B009Z6CW7O&pd_rd_i=B009Z6CW7O&th=1 100W for $115] ($1.15/W) (bought)

=== Panels and battery setup ===

* Tesla powerwall + solar [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s6kN9Ezws0 real-world results]:
** SC325 panels (325W) x 18 panels; peak output 5850W; actual ~5000W; 200A panel 100A subpanel for powerwall circuit (100A to AC (separate?)); 14kW storage 5kW continous 7kW peak; 89% efficiency; -29 to 50C range; 1oyr warranty; 122kg (powerwall)
** summer 32.2kWH on a hot day; fall 25.6kWH on sunny day; winter 22.7kWH
** summer with ac, 50.3 kWH drawn - 21.6kWH from grid, had spikes above powerwall ability
** cloudy and hot 29kwh (grid) + 1.8kwh (powerwall) it started low after many hot days
** fall rainy day (5.1kwh from solar(22kwh on sunny day), used 18kwh)
** cool and sunny october credit of $25
** $170 avg monthly savings, system will pay for itself in 11 years
* Someone used the Renogy panel to charge their RV, "My system consists of the following main components:"
2 - Victron Multiplus 12/3000/120-50
Victron Blue Solar charge controller MPPT 150/85
15 - 100 watt Renogy solar panels
Victron Color control gx
Victron BMV-702 battery monitor
4 - 1000Ah LifePO4 Winston battery cells
* Here's [https://www.instagram.com/p/BqBAihOgiGT/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=11b7u2t523p3b 3.3kWh in a suitcase] using "18650"s.
* Jehu, my fave instagram electric ride hacker, explains [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YwErplHps8 how to build your own powerwall]. I need this.

=== Super capacitors ===

* Super-capacitors are [https://phys.org/news/2018-02-alternative-traditional-batteries-closer-reality.html not ready to outperform batteries], at least not yet.
** Because existing supercapacitors have poor energy density per kilogramme (currently around one twentieth of existing battery technology), they have been unable to compete with conventional battery energy storage.
** Even with this restriction, supercapacitor buses are already being used in China, but the current technology means that they need to stop to be recharged frequently (i.e. at almost every bus-stop). - this is NOT A PROBLEM, as our capacitors would be CONTINUOUSLY CHARGING.
* [http://2600f-supercapacitor.blogspot.com/2013/03/super-capacitor-vs-car-battery.html Demonstration] of using a supercapacitor to meet the needs of charging a car, definitely within its ability. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKki89sq0XY Electroboom agrees.]

=== Long-range handshake ===

* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Link_budget Link budget] used to identify losses in any telecommunications system
* [https://descanso.jpl.nasa.gov/DPSummary/Descanso4--Voyager_ed.pdf Here] is how NASA did it with Voyager (1970-2029!)

=== Small Lab Research ===

We should be able to set up two arduinos or pis, one receiving sun solar to power a laser, and another receiving laser solar to power a battery. We have a lot to learn about basic electrical wiring and arduinos and pis.

A [https://www.hackster.io/achindra/morse-code-transceiver-b5ae38 hackster laser morse code] transmitter and receiver setup, very useful
The [https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B075T8ZWSN/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 laser] that was used, very popular, didn't find any others yet

There are lots of competing low-quality solar+battery projects, where's the winner? Still looking...
* [http://pi.qcontinuum.com/project.html this] does it all, with pi webserver and arduino to monitor power, but doesn't give many details
* [https://learn.adafruit.com/usb-dc-and-solar-lipoly-charger expensive adafruit gear]
* [https://www.hackster.io/PatelDarshil/updated-solar-power-station-for-arduino-e52b6f might be good] but where are the docs?
* [https://www.hackster.io/igorF2/solar-charged-battery-powered-arduino-uno-645d89 work-in-progress] but describes pulsed on-then-off to save power

General IoT research
* [https://www.open-electronics.org/the-power-of-arduino-this-unknown/ getting power to the stupid arduino]
* [https://openenergymonitor.org/ open source power monitoring] software and hardware using pi and arduido
* [https://platformio.org/ open source IoT] SDK goo shit

Strong lasers:
* Start with goggles, [https://youtu.be/WnDjIDhxnMs here's why]
* [https://www.wickedlasers.com/arctic 1-3.5W lasers] "world's best" but not avail in US - does not seem to be easy to wire up, but perhaps we could crack it open
* [https://us.banggood.com/Wholesale-Warehouse-5W-445nm-Blue-light-Power-Beam-Burning-Laser-Pointer-Pen-wp-Usa-1017346.html?rmmds=category 5W laser] in [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dii8TYdurRU lots of videos]... but can you still get it anywhere?
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzUoe-9bKa0 crazy styropyro's 200W "laser bazooka"] - this guy is incredible, [https://youtu.be/dqlDs3KfCPY?t=254 here's] a diagram of him inverting a Galilean telescope to focus a laser - a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUCHkFKOvIw short documentary] - his [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwYuHqCwXFI ruby laser] "my strongest ever"
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSdUQ4oNKiI another ruby laser] with detailed explanation
* found one! [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm5P74vcB84 this guy's 3D printer laser hack] is amazing, and linked to [https://www.banggood.com/300mW-405nm-Focusable-Blue-Violet-Laser-Module-for-DIY-Laser-Printer-Engraving-Machine-Engraver-p-1225514.html?utm_campaign=BestToolLocker_October&utm_content=2635&p=KR28032004379201507P&cur_warehouse=CN his laser part] let's get it

Other random stuff:
* [https://tkkrlab.nl/wiki/Arduino_37_sensors 37 mysterious chinese arduino sensors]
* [https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01MG3Z3PE/ref=pd_luc_rh_sspa_dk_huc_pt_expsub_2?psc=1 Lidar]

=== Launching Payloads to Space ===
[https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/11/11/rocket-lab-delivers-seven-payloads-to-orbit-plans-next-launch-in-december/ Rocket Lab’s Electron booster launches small satellites commercially] - launch about 300 pounds of payload for $5 million

[https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-venture-class-launch-services-contracts-for-cubesat-satellites Nasa "Venture Class" contractors] circa 2015

[https://youtu.be/OeW-Qqu9-8U Smallest Orbital Rocket] The SS-520 No. 5 three-stage sounding rocket launched TRICOM-1R microsatellite from the Uchinoura Space Center, in Kagoshima, Japan, on 3 February 2018. TRICOM-1R weights approximately 3 kg. The "payload of up to 140kg" is the information for this rocket when it is used as a two stage sounding rocket. Then it does take 140 kg to a suborbital flight with a maximum altitude of 800 km (at which point it will have zero velocity). Here, the place of this payload is taken by the third stage. Plus, there is extra hardware between the first and the second stage. The satellite that rides on the third stage and is placed in orbit is just 3 kg, and that's roughly what this rocket's maximum payload to orbit is (not counting the weight of the spent third stage itself, which ends up in the same orbit.)

This comes to well over a million dollars per kilogram of useful payload into orbit. But it is still the tiniest space booster! And if your goal is to put something into a specific orbit in the cheapest way, rather than to put tons of stuff in the cheapest way per kg, a few million dollars is a reasonably low price -- comparing to any available today alternative. (There are several start-ups trying to build very small and very low cost boosters)

Today, most builders of nano-satellites use ride-share services and get their '''3-6 kg satellites launched for under half a million dollars''' each, together with dozens or hundreds of others in the same launch. The most popular ride-share service is offered by the operators of the '''PSLV rocket in India'''. Startups and universities from dozens of countries use it every year to get their cube-sats into orbit.

=== General Notes ===
Question: what's the maximum input into a photovoltaic cell? Exposing it to the sun in space will provide what percentage of peak opportunity? Should we employ mirrors or prisms to redirect more sunlight into the PV cells? what would be most cost effective: adding more PV cells or adding redirected/reflected sunlight to existing PV cells?

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_power_transfer#Lasers Wikipedia: Wireless_power_transfer via laser (aka "Power Beaming")]

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-based_solar_power Wikipedia: Space Based Solar Power (SBSP)]

[https://www.wi-charge.com/ Long Range Wireless Power by Wi-Charge] demoed at CES 2018 - First wireless power system using lasers for consumer applications. Complies with mandatory IEC 60825 sagfety standards for consumer use.

[http://www.wi-charge.com/apply-for-beta/ OEM looking to incorporate wireless power modules into new products? Apply for beta]

[https://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/news/FactSheets/FS-087-DFRC.html NASA Armstrong Fact Sheet: Beamed Laser Power for UAVs]

[https://blog.innovation4e.de/en/2016/09/12/power-by-light/ Power by Light - blog with working prototypes]

[https://youtu.be/IfWBWoIPHIo Youtube: Wirelessly Powered Train]

[https://youtu.be/q5p3ezRF8xo Youtube: Photovoltaic laser power converters with increased voltage output (27m)]

=== Academic Papers ===

[https://e-reports-ext.llnl.gov/pdf/372187.pdf U.S. Energy Department’s own Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) 2009 proposal (PDF)]

[https://www.energy.gov/articles/space-based-solar-power energy.gov with Infographic]

[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378775318304713 laser power beaming light-to-electricity conversion efficiency correlates directly between electricity conversion and heat generation - abstract behind paywall]

[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261567166_Development_and_characterisation_of_laser_power_converters_for_optical_power_transfer_applications Development and characterisation of laser powerconverters for optical power transfer applications - French paper 2013]

[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1350449515000766 Paper: Design and optimization of GaAs photovoltaic converter for laser power beaming]

[https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7877321 Paper: Photovoltaic laser power converters for wireless optical power supply of sensor systems]

[https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/4752734 Paper: High-Voltage GaAs Photovoltaic Laser Power Converters]

=== Youtube infotainment ===
* electronics: jehugarcia, ElectroBOOM, GreatScott!, EEVBlog, bigclivedotcom, Jeremy Fielding, Fran Blanche, The Hacksmith
* lasers: styropyro, Marco Reps
* robotics: [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmkP178NasnhR3TWQyyP4Gw Metatronics], Adafruit Industries, simone Giertz (relentlessly pursues creativity with fun robots)
* other: Captain Disillusion (awesome entertaining video 3D graphics), Cody'sLab (chemistry), AvE (mechanical engineering (and electronics?)), PhysicsGirl (physics)
* general: The King of Random, TheBackyardScientist, SmarterEveryDay, Veritasium, Vsauce, Adam Savage’s Tested

Off-world Power Generation Lab 1: Free Space 1W Transmission

2019-01-17T05:12:00Z

Dan: /* Goals */ added laser power output monitor (peltier calorimeter)

=== Overview ===

[large panel] > [regulator] > [battery] > [pi] SPACE
> [regulator] > [laser] =====> [small panel] > [regulator] > [battery] > [arduino]

* Use a full-sized solar panel to power a large battery through a commercial regulator.
* Use the large battery to power a raspberry pi.
* Use the large battery to power a small laser through a voltage regulator that reports the delivered power.
* Add an on/off switch to the laser circuit that is controlled by the pi.
* Point the laser at a diffraction lens that illuminates a small solar panel.
* Use the small solar panel to power a small battery through a voltage regulator that reports the delivered power.
* Use the small battery to power...
** something simple, a fan or a light, through a usb multimonitor
** an arduino that can [https://learn.openenergymonitor.org/electricity-monitoring/ctac/how-to-build-an-arduino-energy-monitor monitor the voltage and current]
** a lan-connected raspberry pi that can monitor the energy and call an API to report snapshot values.

Remember: we regulate the voltage, everywhere. Only voltage can force current where it is not wanted.

=== Gear ===

==== Primary ====

* [https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Watts-Volts-Monocrystalline-Solar/dp/B07GF5JY35/ref=sr_1_11_acs_osp_osp20-b1f7e63e-74_1?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1541474151&sr=1-11-acs&keywords=solar%2Bpanel&tag=bestcont06-20&ascsubtag=b1f7e63e-74a2-4f22-9bde-a2a7192c7ebf&linkCode=oas&cv_ct_id=amzn1.osp.b1f7e63e-74a2-4f22-9bde-a2a7192c7ebf&cv_ct_pg=search&cv_ct_wn=osp-search&pf_rd_i=solar%2Bpanel&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-inline&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pd_rd_r=65ac5c62-9821-43ee-bb09-10cee0f24e90&pd_rd_wg=PdGS4&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_r=5S3S6A8QRAKX5GP9B8ZR&pd_rd_w=uHYVU&pf_rd_p=53b688eb-671a-4acd-886f-dc89fa36d3d2&creativeASIN=B009Z6CW7O&pd_rd_i=B009Z6CW7O&th=1 100W solar panel] 16V 6.25A ("open circuit voltage" 20V)
* [https://www.ebay.com/itm/272920046807 solar power regulator] - I have no idea if this will do the job yet... but it's on the way!
* [https://www.voltaicsystems.com/v88-pd 88 Wh battery]
* fully-configured raspberry pi 3, hostname Lime
* [https://www.banggood.com/300mW-405nm-Focusable-Blue-Violet-Laser-Module-for-DIY-Laser-Printer-Engraving-Machine-Engraver-p-1225514.html?utm_campaign=BestToolLocker_October&utm_content=2635&p=KR28032004379201507P&cur_warehouse=CN $45 300mW laser]
* [https://www.banggood.com/6V-4_5W-520mA-Mini-Epoxy-Solar-Panel-Photovoltaic-Panel-p-987805.html?cur_warehouse=CN small solar panel]
* [https://www.voltaicsystems.com/v15 15 Wh battery]
* Arduino Uno

==== Secondary ====
* [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HI0RYJK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 arduino starter kit]
* Multimeters
** [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DW681FQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Etekcity cheap but well-rated all-in-one multimeter]
** [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J3JSEG6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 USB multimeter (DROK)]
** [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013FANC9W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 USB multimeter (PowerJive)]
** [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XYNF47M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 leads and clips kit]
* [https://www.survivallaserusa.com/Eagle_Pair__190-540nm_OD5_Standard_Laser_Safety_Goggles/p1667092_7862033.aspx 190-540nm laser goggles for our 405nm laser]
* lots of experimental voltage regulators, what works is still TBD
** [https://www.banggood.com/7A-DC-60V-Adjustable-Step-Down-Regulator-NC-Power-Supply-Module-Current-Voltage-Meter-Buck-Module-p-1221409.html Winners® 7A DC 60V Adjustable Step Down Regulator]
** [https://www.banggood.com/LM317-Adjustable-Voltage-Regulator-Step-down-Power-Supply-Module-LED-Meter-p-1019105.html?rmmds=myorder LM317 on a board with a dial]
** [https://www.banggood.com/10PCS-LM317T-TO-220-LM317-TO220-Original-IC-Adjustable-Regulators-p-1069816.html a bag of LM317T Adjustable Regulators] really popular, need heatsinks!
** [https://www.banggood.com/CJMCU-3108-LTC3108-1-Ultra-Low-Voltage-Boost-Converter-Power-Manager-Development-Board-p-1321584.html Ultra Low Voltage Boost Converter] i looked hard for a very-low-voltage booster, will this work? the 5V booster of projects i found is no longer avail
* [https://www.banggood.com/Arduino-Compatible-328-ProtoShield-Prototype-Expansion-Board-p-926451.html Arduino Compatible Expansion Board]
* [https://www.banggood.com/LM317-Adjustable-Voltage-EU-220V-Power-Supply-Board-Kit-Electronics-DIY-Spare-Parts-p-1140431.html?rmmds=myorder a full power supply kit], probably good to build-and-learn, and also probably very useful
* [https://www.uugear.com/product/wittypi-mini/ uugear witty pi mini] x2 to turn the pi on/off on a timer - hopefully i can use the arduino instead but it's an option
* Breadboards
* USB cables and adapters

==== More ====
* [https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B075T8ZWSN/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 cheap <$1 5mW laser]
* fully-configured raspberry pi 3, hostname Carambola
* bare Arduino Uno

==== Connectors ====
* large panel uses MC4 connectors: we got a bunch of connectors to splice wire into
* commercial solar regulator: raw wire input/output
** Output: 12V Battery (make sure to config to use 12V not 24V)
** Input: Max solar Panel Power: 360W
* large battery
** some sad Japan Jack Input: 14-25V, 3A
** USB Output: 5V/2A USB (12V/6A, 16V/5A, 19V/4.5A, 24V 3.5A??) - USB QC: 5V/3A, 3.6V-12V, 18W Max.?) wtf
* laser power: raw wires - [https://youtu.be/gm5P74vcB84?t=79 replace power supply with an inline resistor??]
* small battery uses USB out, microusb in: we got a bunch of usb connectors and cables
** Output: 5V/1A USB
** Input: 5-6V/1A MicroUSB

=== Goals ===

* monitor delivered power - [http://laserkids.sourceforge.net/eng_calorimeter.html "homemade" Peltier Calorimeter]
* keep the arduino powered 24/7
* add an interesting load at the far end
* put a pi at the far end to read and report power
** [https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=57480 forum notes on getting digital power read on pi]
** [http://www.uugear.com/portfolio/raspberry-pi-measures-voltage-via-arduino/ measure pi voltage via an arduino] would be excellent to pull off, we could report it via an API call to a bitpost service
* make the pi sleep
** use an arduino! [http://www.uugear.com/uugear-rpi-arduino-solution/ uugear explanation]
** if arduino is a pita, use witty pi 2 or witty pi mini board with pi, it runs its own clock, can turn raspberry pi on/off, can pulse battery supply to keep it alive, should make a sleeping pi arrangement SO MUCH easier [http://www.uugear.com/product/wittypi-mini/] mini [https://pinout.xyz/pinout/witty_pi_2 pinout]

=== TODO ===

* understand what the laser needs; see [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfN_Fd9IYuY here] perhaps and more from him
* need POTENTIOMETER(S) (variable resistance) to adjust power to laser
* all the regulators
* more breadboards, perfboards, any needed soldering thingees
* pi uses some adapter bullshit
* arduino is also a pita
* consider this [https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10255 sparkfun boost converter], handles low power

=== Performance ===

Solar collection efficiency: 6.4kg 100W panel = 15.6 W/kg

Solar collection cost: $115 100W panel = $1.15/W

Solar storage efficiency: 88.8 Wh $129 Voltaic lipo battery, weighs ?? 2kg? ~ 44 Wh/kg

Solar storage cost: 88.8 Wh $129 Voltaic lipo battery = $1.45 / Wh

Off-world Power Generation Research

2019-01-12T21:27:30Z

Dan: /* Current conclusions */

=== Current conclusions ===

* Use a satellite in low-earth sun-synchronous polar orbit. - for a Nevada-sized array?
* Use lasers for power transmission not microwaves.
* Use batteries for storage not capacitors - perhaps not (see note below)
* Use low-power laser handshaking for safety cutoff.
* Use best-practice cyber-security.

=== Earth orbits and other locations in space ===

* earth to moon: 238,900 miles
* there are [https://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/mission/observatory_l2.html four lagrange points] that provide constant sun exposure at predictable locations
* l1 to earth/moon: 1 million miles
* A [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geosynchronous_orbit geosynchronous orbit] takes one sidereal day, and is 35,786 km (22,236 mi) above the Earth's surface. Those closer to Earth orbit faster than Earth rotates, so from Earth, they appear to move eastward while those that orbit beyond geosynchronous distances appear to move westward.
* other interesting earth orbits: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_Earth_orbit low] goes across poles, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium_Earth_orbit medium] used by GPS, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Earth_orbit high] is slow and crawls west, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molniya_orbit Molniya] spends more time away from equator; [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium_Earth_orbit#/media/File:Orbitalaltitudes.jpg relative distances diagram]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun-synchronous_orbit sun-synchronous orbits] that "ride the terminator" (the line that separates night and day, aka "dawn/dusk orbit") are low-earth polar orbits that maintain constant solar exposure. They cross many locations on the earth throughout the year - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUG5ALki-WY this guy KNOWS ORBITS, lots to learn here] - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylvgxNF3C0c sun-sync video example] - scientific satellites that use this orbit include Yohkoh, TRACE, Hinode and PROBA2
* Is there a sun-synchronous orbit that frequently passes over predictable locations on Earth's surface? That would be ideal for our purpose.

These are therefore probably less useful:

* <Earth> <-clearsky-burst-laser-- <L1 solar array>
* <Earth> <-microwave-- <Earth-orbit satellite> <-laser-- <Earth's moon> <-laser-- <L1 solar array>
* <Earth> <-clearsky-burst-laser-- <Earth's moon> <-laser-- <L1 solar array>
* <Earth-orbit satellite> <- <Earth's moon>
* <Earth's moon> <- <Earth-Sol Lagrange-point solar array>

=== Power 101 ===

* Power is measured in Newton-meters per second or Joules per second or Watts.
* [https://learn.openenergymonitor.org/electricity-monitoring/ac-power-theory/introduction openenergymonitor intro to AC power in the home]
* [https://www.coursera.org/learn/power-electronics/home/welcome Power electronics Coursera class]

=== Free-space power transfer ===

* the sun primarily produces visible light (not microwaves or gamma...)
* laser transmission is more efficient than microwave, except where earth's atmosphere interferes
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-based_solar_power current status]: A Gigawatt-range microwave system would weigh ~80,000 tons (prohibitively expensive) [https://www.energy.gov/articles/space-based-solar-power more] [https://e-reports-ext.llnl.gov/pdf/372187.pdf lots more]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell_efficiency Solar cell efficiency] - in 40 years we've gone from 22% to 46% efficiency
* Laser transmit antenna in space: 1 meter diameter per GW
* Receive: Several hundred meters across

=== Working Systems ===

* The latest summary of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_power_transfer#Lasers Laser power transfer] on wikipeida
* It also covers [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_power_transfer wireless power transfer] in general using many techniques

[https://www.nasa.gov/offices/oct/early_stage_innovation/centennial_challenges/beaming_tether/index.html NASA 2009 Power Beaming Competition]

[https://www.popularmechanics.com/flight/drones/a7966/how-it-works-laser-beaming-recharges-uav-in-flight-11091133/ LaserMotive charging an unmanned drone]

[http://www.spaceward.org/games space elevator, and its power beaming need]

* Attempting this challenge requires that the participating teams would excel at laser optics, photovoltaics, electrical and mechanical engineering, and overall system design. The vehicles must be lightweight yet powerful. The laser beams must be well focused while tracking the climbers, and the climbers must be adept at converting them back into electricity and then into mechanical power. If you think this sounds complicated, you're right - out of about 40 teams that tried their hand at the challenge, only 3 made it to the final challenge.

=== Coupled PV cells and Lasers ===

Often called Power Over Fiber.

MH GoPower (MHGP) produces a high-performance silicon-based vertical multijunction (VMJ) PV cell that enables high-wattage laser power transmission. See [https://www.laserfocusworld.com/articles/print/volume-51/issue-02/features/laser-powered-devices-high-concentration-pv-cell-enables-high-wattage-laser-power-transmission.html here].

Preliminary test data is shown for a 0.78 cm/sup 2/ VMJ cell with 40 series connected junctions producing 31.8 watts at 25.5 volts at near 2500 suns AM1.5 intensity (40.4 watts per cm/sup 2/ output at 211 watts per cm/sup 2/ input with an estimated efficiency near 20%).

[http://powerlighttech.com/free-space-power-beaming-2/ Powerlight] has free-space power beaming tech. LaserMotive has previously demonstrated power beaming systems with a receiver-specific power as high as 800 W/kg.

[https://www.rp-photonics.com/bg/buy_power_over_fiber.html Several vendors]

=== Solar Panels ===

Why not buy a nice full-sized panel and see what we can collect with it?

[https://www.gogreensolar.com/collections/solar-panels 330W for $271] ($.78/W)

[https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Watts-Volts-Monocrystalline-Solar/dp/B07GF5JY35/ref=sr_1_11_acs_osp_osp20-b1f7e63e-74_1?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1541474151&sr=1-11-acs&keywords=solar%2Bpanel&tag=bestcont06-20&ascsubtag=b1f7e63e-74a2-4f22-9bde-a2a7192c7ebf&linkCode=oas&cv_ct_id=amzn1.osp.b1f7e63e-74a2-4f22-9bde-a2a7192c7ebf&cv_ct_pg=search&cv_ct_wn=osp-search&pf_rd_i=solar%2Bpanel&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-inline&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pd_rd_r=65ac5c62-9821-43ee-bb09-10cee0f24e90&pd_rd_wg=PdGS4&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_r=5S3S6A8QRAKX5GP9B8ZR&pd_rd_w=uHYVU&pf_rd_p=53b688eb-671a-4acd-886f-dc89fa36d3d2&creativeASIN=B009Z6CW7O&pd_rd_i=B009Z6CW7O&th=1 100W for $115] ($1.15/W) (bought)

=== Panels and battery setup ===

* Tesla powerwall + solar [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s6kN9Ezws0 real-world results]:
** SC325 panels (325W) x 18 panels; peak output 5850W; actual ~5000W; 200A panel 100A subpanel for powerwall circuit (100A to AC (separate?)); 14kW storage 5kW continous 7kW peak; 89% efficiency; -29 to 50C range; 1oyr warranty; 122kg (powerwall)
** summer 32.2kWH on a hot day; fall 25.6kWH on sunny day; winter 22.7kWH
** summer with ac, 50.3 kWH drawn - 21.6kWH from grid, had spikes above powerwall ability
** cloudy and hot 29kwh (grid) + 1.8kwh (powerwall) it started low after many hot days
** fall rainy day (5.1kwh from solar(22kwh on sunny day), used 18kwh)
** cool and sunny october credit of $25
** $170 avg monthly savings, system will pay for itself in 11 years
* Someone used the Renogy panel to charge their RV, "My system consists of the following main components:"
2 - Victron Multiplus 12/3000/120-50
Victron Blue Solar charge controller MPPT 150/85
15 - 100 watt Renogy solar panels
Victron Color control gx
Victron BMV-702 battery monitor
4 - 1000Ah LifePO4 Winston battery cells
* Here's [https://www.instagram.com/p/BqBAihOgiGT/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=11b7u2t523p3b 3.3kWh in a suitcase] using "18650"s.
* Jehu, my fave instagram electric ride hacker, explains [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YwErplHps8 how to build your own powerwall]. I need this.

=== Super capacitors ===

* Super-capacitors are [https://phys.org/news/2018-02-alternative-traditional-batteries-closer-reality.html not ready to outperform batteries], at least not yet.
** Because existing supercapacitors have poor energy density per kilogramme (currently around one twentieth of existing battery technology), they have been unable to compete with conventional battery energy storage.
** Even with this restriction, supercapacitor buses are already being used in China, but the current technology means that they need to stop to be recharged frequently (i.e. at almost every bus-stop). - this is NOT A PROBLEM, as our capacitors would be CONTINUOUSLY CHARGING.
* [http://2600f-supercapacitor.blogspot.com/2013/03/super-capacitor-vs-car-battery.html Demonstration] of using a supercapacitor to meet the needs of charging a car, definitely within its ability. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKki89sq0XY Electroboom agrees.]

=== Long-range handshake ===

* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Link_budget Link budget] used to identify losses in any telecommunications system
* [https://descanso.jpl.nasa.gov/DPSummary/Descanso4--Voyager_ed.pdf Here] is how NASA did it with Voyager (1970-2029!)

=== Small Lab Research ===

We should be able to set up two arduinos or pis, one receiving sun solar to power a laser, and another receiving laser solar to power a battery. We have a lot to learn about basic electrical wiring and arduinos and pis.

A [https://www.hackster.io/achindra/morse-code-transceiver-b5ae38 hackster laser morse code] transmitter and receiver setup, very useful
The [https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B075T8ZWSN/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 laser] that was used, very popular, didn't find any others yet

There are lots of competing low-quality solar+battery projects, where's the winner? Still looking...
* [http://pi.qcontinuum.com/project.html this] does it all, with pi webserver and arduino to monitor power, but doesn't give many details
* [https://learn.adafruit.com/usb-dc-and-solar-lipoly-charger expensive adafruit gear]
* [https://www.hackster.io/PatelDarshil/updated-solar-power-station-for-arduino-e52b6f might be good] but where are the docs?
* [https://www.hackster.io/igorF2/solar-charged-battery-powered-arduino-uno-645d89 work-in-progress] but describes pulsed on-then-off to save power

General IoT research
* [https://www.open-electronics.org/the-power-of-arduino-this-unknown/ getting power to the stupid arduino]
* [https://openenergymonitor.org/ open source power monitoring] software and hardware using pi and arduido
* [https://platformio.org/ open source IoT] SDK goo shit

Strong lasers:
* Start with goggles, [https://youtu.be/WnDjIDhxnMs here's why]
* [https://www.wickedlasers.com/arctic 1-3.5W lasers] "world's best" but not avail in US - does not seem to be easy to wire up, but perhaps we could crack it open
* [https://us.banggood.com/Wholesale-Warehouse-5W-445nm-Blue-light-Power-Beam-Burning-Laser-Pointer-Pen-wp-Usa-1017346.html?rmmds=category 5W laser] in [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dii8TYdurRU lots of videos]... but can you still get it anywhere?
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzUoe-9bKa0 crazy styropyro's 200W "laser bazooka"] - this guy is incredible, [https://youtu.be/dqlDs3KfCPY?t=254 here's] a diagram of him inverting a Galilean telescope to focus a laser - a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUCHkFKOvIw short documentary] - his [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwYuHqCwXFI ruby laser] "my strongest ever"
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSdUQ4oNKiI another ruby laser] with detailed explanation
* found one! [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm5P74vcB84 this guy's 3D printer laser hack] is amazing, and linked to [https://www.banggood.com/300mW-405nm-Focusable-Blue-Violet-Laser-Module-for-DIY-Laser-Printer-Engraving-Machine-Engraver-p-1225514.html?utm_campaign=BestToolLocker_October&utm_content=2635&p=KR28032004379201507P&cur_warehouse=CN his laser part] let's get it

Other random stuff:
* [https://tkkrlab.nl/wiki/Arduino_37_sensors 37 mysterious chinese arduino sensors]
* [https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01MG3Z3PE/ref=pd_luc_rh_sspa_dk_huc_pt_expsub_2?psc=1 Lidar]

=== Launching Payloads to Space ===
[https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/11/11/rocket-lab-delivers-seven-payloads-to-orbit-plans-next-launch-in-december/ Rocket Lab’s Electron booster launches small satellites commercially] - launch about 300 pounds of payload for $5 million

[https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-venture-class-launch-services-contracts-for-cubesat-satellites Nasa "Venture Class" contractors] circa 2015

[https://youtu.be/OeW-Qqu9-8U Smallest Orbital Rocket] The SS-520 No. 5 three-stage sounding rocket launched TRICOM-1R microsatellite from the Uchinoura Space Center, in Kagoshima, Japan, on 3 February 2018. TRICOM-1R weights approximately 3 kg. The "payload of up to 140kg" is the information for this rocket when it is used as a two stage sounding rocket. Then it does take 140 kg to a suborbital flight with a maximum altitude of 800 km (at which point it will have zero velocity). Here, the place of this payload is taken by the third stage. Plus, there is extra hardware between the first and the second stage. The satellite that rides on the third stage and is placed in orbit is just 3 kg, and that's roughly what this rocket's maximum payload to orbit is (not counting the weight of the spent third stage itself, which ends up in the same orbit.)

This comes to well over a million dollars per kilogram of useful payload into orbit. But it is still the tiniest space booster! And if your goal is to put something into a specific orbit in the cheapest way, rather than to put tons of stuff in the cheapest way per kg, a few million dollars is a reasonably low price -- comparing to any available today alternative. (There are several start-ups trying to build very small and very low cost boosters)

Today, most builders of nano-satellites use ride-share services and get their '''3-6 kg satellites launched for under half a million dollars''' each, together with dozens or hundreds of others in the same launch. The most popular ride-share service is offered by the operators of the '''PSLV rocket in India'''. Startups and universities from dozens of countries use it every year to get their cube-sats into orbit.

=== General Notes ===
Question: what's the maximum input into a photovoltaic cell? Exposing it to the sun in space will provide what percentage of peak opportunity? Should we employ mirrors or prisms to redirect more sunlight into the PV cells? what would be most cost effective: adding more PV cells or adding redirected/reflected sunlight to existing PV cells?

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_power_transfer#Lasers Wikipedia: Wireless_power_transfer via laser (aka "Power Beaming")]

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-based_solar_power Wikipedia: Space Based Solar Power (SBSP)]

[https://www.wi-charge.com/ Long Range Wireless Power by Wi-Charge] demoed at CES 2018 - First wireless power system using lasers for consumer applications. Complies with mandatory IEC 60825 sagfety standards for consumer use.

[http://www.wi-charge.com/apply-for-beta/ OEM looking to incorporate wireless power modules into new products? Apply for beta]

[https://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/news/FactSheets/FS-087-DFRC.html NASA Armstrong Fact Sheet: Beamed Laser Power for UAVs]

[https://blog.innovation4e.de/en/2016/09/12/power-by-light/ Power by Light - blog with working prototypes]

[https://youtu.be/IfWBWoIPHIo Youtube: Wirelessly Powered Train]

[https://youtu.be/q5p3ezRF8xo Youtube: Photovoltaic laser power converters with increased voltage output (27m)]

=== Academic Papers ===

[https://e-reports-ext.llnl.gov/pdf/372187.pdf U.S. Energy Department’s own Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) 2009 proposal (PDF)]

[https://www.energy.gov/articles/space-based-solar-power energy.gov with Infographic]

[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378775318304713 laser power beaming light-to-electricity conversion efficiency correlates directly between electricity conversion and heat generation - abstract behind paywall]

[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261567166_Development_and_characterisation_of_laser_power_converters_for_optical_power_transfer_applications Development and characterisation of laser powerconverters for optical power transfer applications - French paper 2013]

[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1350449515000766 Paper: Design and optimization of GaAs photovoltaic converter for laser power beaming]

[https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7877321 Paper: Photovoltaic laser power converters for wireless optical power supply of sensor systems]

[https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/4752734 Paper: High-Voltage GaAs Photovoltaic Laser Power Converters]

=== Youtube infotainment ===
* electronics: jehugarcia, ElectroBOOM, GreatScott!, EEVBlog, bigclivedotcom, Jeremy Fielding, Fran Blanche, The Hacksmith
* lasers: styropyro, Marco Reps
* robotics: [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmkP178NasnhR3TWQyyP4Gw Metatronics], Adafruit Industries, simone Giertz (relentlessly pursues creativity with fun robots)
* other: Captain Disillusion (awesome entertaining video 3D graphics), Cody'sLab (chemistry), AvE (mechanical engineering (and electronics?)), PhysicsGirl (physics)
* general: The King of Random, TheBackyardScientist, SmarterEveryDay, Veritasium, Vsauce, Adam Savage’s Tested

Off-world Power Generation Research

2019-01-12T21:27:01Z

Dan: /* Launching Payloads to Space */

=== Current conclusions ===

* Use a satellite in low-earth sun-synchronous polar orbit. - Nevada-sized array?
* Use lasers for power transmission not microwaves.
* Use batteries for storage not capacitors - perhaps not (see note below)
* Use low-power laser handshaking for safety cutoff.
* Use best-practice cyber-security.

=== Earth orbits and other locations in space ===

* earth to moon: 238,900 miles
* there are [https://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/mission/observatory_l2.html four lagrange points] that provide constant sun exposure at predictable locations
* l1 to earth/moon: 1 million miles
* A [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geosynchronous_orbit geosynchronous orbit] takes one sidereal day, and is 35,786 km (22,236 mi) above the Earth's surface. Those closer to Earth orbit faster than Earth rotates, so from Earth, they appear to move eastward while those that orbit beyond geosynchronous distances appear to move westward.
* other interesting earth orbits: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_Earth_orbit low] goes across poles, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium_Earth_orbit medium] used by GPS, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Earth_orbit high] is slow and crawls west, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molniya_orbit Molniya] spends more time away from equator; [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium_Earth_orbit#/media/File:Orbitalaltitudes.jpg relative distances diagram]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun-synchronous_orbit sun-synchronous orbits] that "ride the terminator" (the line that separates night and day, aka "dawn/dusk orbit") are low-earth polar orbits that maintain constant solar exposure. They cross many locations on the earth throughout the year - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUG5ALki-WY this guy KNOWS ORBITS, lots to learn here] - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylvgxNF3C0c sun-sync video example] - scientific satellites that use this orbit include Yohkoh, TRACE, Hinode and PROBA2
* Is there a sun-synchronous orbit that frequently passes over predictable locations on Earth's surface? That would be ideal for our purpose.

These are therefore probably less useful:

* <Earth> <-clearsky-burst-laser-- <L1 solar array>
* <Earth> <-microwave-- <Earth-orbit satellite> <-laser-- <Earth's moon> <-laser-- <L1 solar array>
* <Earth> <-clearsky-burst-laser-- <Earth's moon> <-laser-- <L1 solar array>
* <Earth-orbit satellite> <- <Earth's moon>
* <Earth's moon> <- <Earth-Sol Lagrange-point solar array>

=== Power 101 ===

* Power is measured in Newton-meters per second or Joules per second or Watts.
* [https://learn.openenergymonitor.org/electricity-monitoring/ac-power-theory/introduction openenergymonitor intro to AC power in the home]
* [https://www.coursera.org/learn/power-electronics/home/welcome Power electronics Coursera class]

=== Free-space power transfer ===

* the sun primarily produces visible light (not microwaves or gamma...)
* laser transmission is more efficient than microwave, except where earth's atmosphere interferes
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-based_solar_power current status]: A Gigawatt-range microwave system would weigh ~80,000 tons (prohibitively expensive) [https://www.energy.gov/articles/space-based-solar-power more] [https://e-reports-ext.llnl.gov/pdf/372187.pdf lots more]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell_efficiency Solar cell efficiency] - in 40 years we've gone from 22% to 46% efficiency
* Laser transmit antenna in space: 1 meter diameter per GW
* Receive: Several hundred meters across

=== Working Systems ===

* The latest summary of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_power_transfer#Lasers Laser power transfer] on wikipeida
* It also covers [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_power_transfer wireless power transfer] in general using many techniques

[https://www.nasa.gov/offices/oct/early_stage_innovation/centennial_challenges/beaming_tether/index.html NASA 2009 Power Beaming Competition]

[https://www.popularmechanics.com/flight/drones/a7966/how-it-works-laser-beaming-recharges-uav-in-flight-11091133/ LaserMotive charging an unmanned drone]

[http://www.spaceward.org/games space elevator, and its power beaming need]

* Attempting this challenge requires that the participating teams would excel at laser optics, photovoltaics, electrical and mechanical engineering, and overall system design. The vehicles must be lightweight yet powerful. The laser beams must be well focused while tracking the climbers, and the climbers must be adept at converting them back into electricity and then into mechanical power. If you think this sounds complicated, you're right - out of about 40 teams that tried their hand at the challenge, only 3 made it to the final challenge.

=== Coupled PV cells and Lasers ===

Often called Power Over Fiber.

MH GoPower (MHGP) produces a high-performance silicon-based vertical multijunction (VMJ) PV cell that enables high-wattage laser power transmission. See [https://www.laserfocusworld.com/articles/print/volume-51/issue-02/features/laser-powered-devices-high-concentration-pv-cell-enables-high-wattage-laser-power-transmission.html here].

Preliminary test data is shown for a 0.78 cm/sup 2/ VMJ cell with 40 series connected junctions producing 31.8 watts at 25.5 volts at near 2500 suns AM1.5 intensity (40.4 watts per cm/sup 2/ output at 211 watts per cm/sup 2/ input with an estimated efficiency near 20%).

[http://powerlighttech.com/free-space-power-beaming-2/ Powerlight] has free-space power beaming tech. LaserMotive has previously demonstrated power beaming systems with a receiver-specific power as high as 800 W/kg.

[https://www.rp-photonics.com/bg/buy_power_over_fiber.html Several vendors]

=== Solar Panels ===

Why not buy a nice full-sized panel and see what we can collect with it?

[https://www.gogreensolar.com/collections/solar-panels 330W for $271] ($.78/W)

[https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Watts-Volts-Monocrystalline-Solar/dp/B07GF5JY35/ref=sr_1_11_acs_osp_osp20-b1f7e63e-74_1?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1541474151&sr=1-11-acs&keywords=solar%2Bpanel&tag=bestcont06-20&ascsubtag=b1f7e63e-74a2-4f22-9bde-a2a7192c7ebf&linkCode=oas&cv_ct_id=amzn1.osp.b1f7e63e-74a2-4f22-9bde-a2a7192c7ebf&cv_ct_pg=search&cv_ct_wn=osp-search&pf_rd_i=solar%2Bpanel&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-inline&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pd_rd_r=65ac5c62-9821-43ee-bb09-10cee0f24e90&pd_rd_wg=PdGS4&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_r=5S3S6A8QRAKX5GP9B8ZR&pd_rd_w=uHYVU&pf_rd_p=53b688eb-671a-4acd-886f-dc89fa36d3d2&creativeASIN=B009Z6CW7O&pd_rd_i=B009Z6CW7O&th=1 100W for $115] ($1.15/W) (bought)

=== Panels and battery setup ===

* Tesla powerwall + solar [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s6kN9Ezws0 real-world results]:
** SC325 panels (325W) x 18 panels; peak output 5850W; actual ~5000W; 200A panel 100A subpanel for powerwall circuit (100A to AC (separate?)); 14kW storage 5kW continous 7kW peak; 89% efficiency; -29 to 50C range; 1oyr warranty; 122kg (powerwall)
** summer 32.2kWH on a hot day; fall 25.6kWH on sunny day; winter 22.7kWH
** summer with ac, 50.3 kWH drawn - 21.6kWH from grid, had spikes above powerwall ability
** cloudy and hot 29kwh (grid) + 1.8kwh (powerwall) it started low after many hot days
** fall rainy day (5.1kwh from solar(22kwh on sunny day), used 18kwh)
** cool and sunny october credit of $25
** $170 avg monthly savings, system will pay for itself in 11 years
* Someone used the Renogy panel to charge their RV, "My system consists of the following main components:"
2 - Victron Multiplus 12/3000/120-50
Victron Blue Solar charge controller MPPT 150/85
15 - 100 watt Renogy solar panels
Victron Color control gx
Victron BMV-702 battery monitor
4 - 1000Ah LifePO4 Winston battery cells
* Here's [https://www.instagram.com/p/BqBAihOgiGT/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=11b7u2t523p3b 3.3kWh in a suitcase] using "18650"s.
* Jehu, my fave instagram electric ride hacker, explains [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YwErplHps8 how to build your own powerwall]. I need this.

=== Super capacitors ===

* Super-capacitors are [https://phys.org/news/2018-02-alternative-traditional-batteries-closer-reality.html not ready to outperform batteries], at least not yet.
** Because existing supercapacitors have poor energy density per kilogramme (currently around one twentieth of existing battery technology), they have been unable to compete with conventional battery energy storage.
** Even with this restriction, supercapacitor buses are already being used in China, but the current technology means that they need to stop to be recharged frequently (i.e. at almost every bus-stop). - this is NOT A PROBLEM, as our capacitors would be CONTINUOUSLY CHARGING.
* [http://2600f-supercapacitor.blogspot.com/2013/03/super-capacitor-vs-car-battery.html Demonstration] of using a supercapacitor to meet the needs of charging a car, definitely within its ability. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKki89sq0XY Electroboom agrees.]

=== Long-range handshake ===

* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Link_budget Link budget] used to identify losses in any telecommunications system
* [https://descanso.jpl.nasa.gov/DPSummary/Descanso4--Voyager_ed.pdf Here] is how NASA did it with Voyager (1970-2029!)

=== Small Lab Research ===

We should be able to set up two arduinos or pis, one receiving sun solar to power a laser, and another receiving laser solar to power a battery. We have a lot to learn about basic electrical wiring and arduinos and pis.

A [https://www.hackster.io/achindra/morse-code-transceiver-b5ae38 hackster laser morse code] transmitter and receiver setup, very useful
The [https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B075T8ZWSN/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 laser] that was used, very popular, didn't find any others yet

There are lots of competing low-quality solar+battery projects, where's the winner? Still looking...
* [http://pi.qcontinuum.com/project.html this] does it all, with pi webserver and arduino to monitor power, but doesn't give many details
* [https://learn.adafruit.com/usb-dc-and-solar-lipoly-charger expensive adafruit gear]
* [https://www.hackster.io/PatelDarshil/updated-solar-power-station-for-arduino-e52b6f might be good] but where are the docs?
* [https://www.hackster.io/igorF2/solar-charged-battery-powered-arduino-uno-645d89 work-in-progress] but describes pulsed on-then-off to save power

General IoT research
* [https://www.open-electronics.org/the-power-of-arduino-this-unknown/ getting power to the stupid arduino]
* [https://openenergymonitor.org/ open source power monitoring] software and hardware using pi and arduido
* [https://platformio.org/ open source IoT] SDK goo shit

Strong lasers:
* Start with goggles, [https://youtu.be/WnDjIDhxnMs here's why]
* [https://www.wickedlasers.com/arctic 1-3.5W lasers] "world's best" but not avail in US - does not seem to be easy to wire up, but perhaps we could crack it open
* [https://us.banggood.com/Wholesale-Warehouse-5W-445nm-Blue-light-Power-Beam-Burning-Laser-Pointer-Pen-wp-Usa-1017346.html?rmmds=category 5W laser] in [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dii8TYdurRU lots of videos]... but can you still get it anywhere?
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzUoe-9bKa0 crazy styropyro's 200W "laser bazooka"] - this guy is incredible, [https://youtu.be/dqlDs3KfCPY?t=254 here's] a diagram of him inverting a Galilean telescope to focus a laser - a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUCHkFKOvIw short documentary] - his [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwYuHqCwXFI ruby laser] "my strongest ever"
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSdUQ4oNKiI another ruby laser] with detailed explanation
* found one! [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm5P74vcB84 this guy's 3D printer laser hack] is amazing, and linked to [https://www.banggood.com/300mW-405nm-Focusable-Blue-Violet-Laser-Module-for-DIY-Laser-Printer-Engraving-Machine-Engraver-p-1225514.html?utm_campaign=BestToolLocker_October&utm_content=2635&p=KR28032004379201507P&cur_warehouse=CN his laser part] let's get it

Other random stuff:
* [https://tkkrlab.nl/wiki/Arduino_37_sensors 37 mysterious chinese arduino sensors]
* [https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01MG3Z3PE/ref=pd_luc_rh_sspa_dk_huc_pt_expsub_2?psc=1 Lidar]

=== Launching Payloads to Space ===
[https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/11/11/rocket-lab-delivers-seven-payloads-to-orbit-plans-next-launch-in-december/ Rocket Lab’s Electron booster launches small satellites commercially] - launch about 300 pounds of payload for $5 million

[https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-venture-class-launch-services-contracts-for-cubesat-satellites Nasa "Venture Class" contractors] circa 2015

[https://youtu.be/OeW-Qqu9-8U Smallest Orbital Rocket] The SS-520 No. 5 three-stage sounding rocket launched TRICOM-1R microsatellite from the Uchinoura Space Center, in Kagoshima, Japan, on 3 February 2018. TRICOM-1R weights approximately 3 kg. The "payload of up to 140kg" is the information for this rocket when it is used as a two stage sounding rocket. Then it does take 140 kg to a suborbital flight with a maximum altitude of 800 km (at which point it will have zero velocity). Here, the place of this payload is taken by the third stage. Plus, there is extra hardware between the first and the second stage. The satellite that rides on the third stage and is placed in orbit is just 3 kg, and that's roughly what this rocket's maximum payload to orbit is (not counting the weight of the spent third stage itself, which ends up in the same orbit.)

This comes to well over a million dollars per kilogram of useful payload into orbit. But it is still the tiniest space booster! And if your goal is to put something into a specific orbit in the cheapest way, rather than to put tons of stuff in the cheapest way per kg, a few million dollars is a reasonably low price -- comparing to any available today alternative. (There are several start-ups trying to build very small and very low cost boosters)

Today, most builders of nano-satellites use ride-share services and get their '''3-6 kg satellites launched for under half a million dollars''' each, together with dozens or hundreds of others in the same launch. The most popular ride-share service is offered by the operators of the '''PSLV rocket in India'''. Startups and universities from dozens of countries use it every year to get their cube-sats into orbit.

=== General Notes ===
Question: what's the maximum input into a photovoltaic cell? Exposing it to the sun in space will provide what percentage of peak opportunity? Should we employ mirrors or prisms to redirect more sunlight into the PV cells? what would be most cost effective: adding more PV cells or adding redirected/reflected sunlight to existing PV cells?

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_power_transfer#Lasers Wikipedia: Wireless_power_transfer via laser (aka "Power Beaming")]

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-based_solar_power Wikipedia: Space Based Solar Power (SBSP)]

[https://www.wi-charge.com/ Long Range Wireless Power by Wi-Charge] demoed at CES 2018 - First wireless power system using lasers for consumer applications. Complies with mandatory IEC 60825 sagfety standards for consumer use.

[http://www.wi-charge.com/apply-for-beta/ OEM looking to incorporate wireless power modules into new products? Apply for beta]

[https://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/news/FactSheets/FS-087-DFRC.html NASA Armstrong Fact Sheet: Beamed Laser Power for UAVs]

[https://blog.innovation4e.de/en/2016/09/12/power-by-light/ Power by Light - blog with working prototypes]

[https://youtu.be/IfWBWoIPHIo Youtube: Wirelessly Powered Train]

[https://youtu.be/q5p3ezRF8xo Youtube: Photovoltaic laser power converters with increased voltage output (27m)]

=== Academic Papers ===

[https://e-reports-ext.llnl.gov/pdf/372187.pdf U.S. Energy Department’s own Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) 2009 proposal (PDF)]

[https://www.energy.gov/articles/space-based-solar-power energy.gov with Infographic]

[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378775318304713 laser power beaming light-to-electricity conversion efficiency correlates directly between electricity conversion and heat generation - abstract behind paywall]

[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261567166_Development_and_characterisation_of_laser_power_converters_for_optical_power_transfer_applications Development and characterisation of laser powerconverters for optical power transfer applications - French paper 2013]

[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1350449515000766 Paper: Design and optimization of GaAs photovoltaic converter for laser power beaming]

[https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7877321 Paper: Photovoltaic laser power converters for wireless optical power supply of sensor systems]

[https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/4752734 Paper: High-Voltage GaAs Photovoltaic Laser Power Converters]

=== Youtube infotainment ===
* electronics: jehugarcia, ElectroBOOM, GreatScott!, EEVBlog, bigclivedotcom, Jeremy Fielding, Fran Blanche, The Hacksmith
* lasers: styropyro, Marco Reps
* robotics: [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmkP178NasnhR3TWQyyP4Gw Metatronics], Adafruit Industries, simone Giertz (relentlessly pursues creativity with fun robots)
* other: Captain Disillusion (awesome entertaining video 3D graphics), Cody'sLab (chemistry), AvE (mechanical engineering (and electronics?)), PhysicsGirl (physics)
* general: The King of Random, TheBackyardScientist, SmarterEveryDay, Veritasium, Vsauce, Adam Savage’s Tested

Off-world Power Generation Research

2019-01-12T21:25:59Z

Dan: added efficiency note

=== Current conclusions ===

* Use a satellite in low-earth sun-synchronous polar orbit. - Nevada-sized array?
* Use lasers for power transmission not microwaves.
* Use batteries for storage not capacitors - perhaps not (see note below)
* Use low-power laser handshaking for safety cutoff.
* Use best-practice cyber-security.

=== Earth orbits and other locations in space ===

* earth to moon: 238,900 miles
* there are [https://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/mission/observatory_l2.html four lagrange points] that provide constant sun exposure at predictable locations
* l1 to earth/moon: 1 million miles
* A [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geosynchronous_orbit geosynchronous orbit] takes one sidereal day, and is 35,786 km (22,236 mi) above the Earth's surface. Those closer to Earth orbit faster than Earth rotates, so from Earth, they appear to move eastward while those that orbit beyond geosynchronous distances appear to move westward.
* other interesting earth orbits: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_Earth_orbit low] goes across poles, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium_Earth_orbit medium] used by GPS, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Earth_orbit high] is slow and crawls west, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molniya_orbit Molniya] spends more time away from equator; [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium_Earth_orbit#/media/File:Orbitalaltitudes.jpg relative distances diagram]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun-synchronous_orbit sun-synchronous orbits] that "ride the terminator" (the line that separates night and day, aka "dawn/dusk orbit") are low-earth polar orbits that maintain constant solar exposure. They cross many locations on the earth throughout the year - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUG5ALki-WY this guy KNOWS ORBITS, lots to learn here] - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylvgxNF3C0c sun-sync video example] - scientific satellites that use this orbit include Yohkoh, TRACE, Hinode and PROBA2
* Is there a sun-synchronous orbit that frequently passes over predictable locations on Earth's surface? That would be ideal for our purpose.

These are therefore probably less useful:

* <Earth> <-clearsky-burst-laser-- <L1 solar array>
* <Earth> <-microwave-- <Earth-orbit satellite> <-laser-- <Earth's moon> <-laser-- <L1 solar array>
* <Earth> <-clearsky-burst-laser-- <Earth's moon> <-laser-- <L1 solar array>
* <Earth-orbit satellite> <- <Earth's moon>
* <Earth's moon> <- <Earth-Sol Lagrange-point solar array>

=== Power 101 ===

* Power is measured in Newton-meters per second or Joules per second or Watts.
* [https://learn.openenergymonitor.org/electricity-monitoring/ac-power-theory/introduction openenergymonitor intro to AC power in the home]
* [https://www.coursera.org/learn/power-electronics/home/welcome Power electronics Coursera class]

=== Free-space power transfer ===

* the sun primarily produces visible light (not microwaves or gamma...)
* laser transmission is more efficient than microwave, except where earth's atmosphere interferes
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-based_solar_power current status]: A Gigawatt-range microwave system would weigh ~80,000 tons (prohibitively expensive) [https://www.energy.gov/articles/space-based-solar-power more] [https://e-reports-ext.llnl.gov/pdf/372187.pdf lots more]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell_efficiency Solar cell efficiency] - in 40 years we've gone from 22% to 46% efficiency
* Laser transmit antenna in space: 1 meter diameter per GW
* Receive: Several hundred meters across

=== Working Systems ===

* The latest summary of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_power_transfer#Lasers Laser power transfer] on wikipeida
* It also covers [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_power_transfer wireless power transfer] in general using many techniques

[https://www.nasa.gov/offices/oct/early_stage_innovation/centennial_challenges/beaming_tether/index.html NASA 2009 Power Beaming Competition]

[https://www.popularmechanics.com/flight/drones/a7966/how-it-works-laser-beaming-recharges-uav-in-flight-11091133/ LaserMotive charging an unmanned drone]

[http://www.spaceward.org/games space elevator, and its power beaming need]

* Attempting this challenge requires that the participating teams would excel at laser optics, photovoltaics, electrical and mechanical engineering, and overall system design. The vehicles must be lightweight yet powerful. The laser beams must be well focused while tracking the climbers, and the climbers must be adept at converting them back into electricity and then into mechanical power. If you think this sounds complicated, you're right - out of about 40 teams that tried their hand at the challenge, only 3 made it to the final challenge.

=== Coupled PV cells and Lasers ===

Often called Power Over Fiber.

MH GoPower (MHGP) produces a high-performance silicon-based vertical multijunction (VMJ) PV cell that enables high-wattage laser power transmission. See [https://www.laserfocusworld.com/articles/print/volume-51/issue-02/features/laser-powered-devices-high-concentration-pv-cell-enables-high-wattage-laser-power-transmission.html here].

Preliminary test data is shown for a 0.78 cm/sup 2/ VMJ cell with 40 series connected junctions producing 31.8 watts at 25.5 volts at near 2500 suns AM1.5 intensity (40.4 watts per cm/sup 2/ output at 211 watts per cm/sup 2/ input with an estimated efficiency near 20%).

[http://powerlighttech.com/free-space-power-beaming-2/ Powerlight] has free-space power beaming tech. LaserMotive has previously demonstrated power beaming systems with a receiver-specific power as high as 800 W/kg.

[https://www.rp-photonics.com/bg/buy_power_over_fiber.html Several vendors]

=== Solar Panels ===

Why not buy a nice full-sized panel and see what we can collect with it?

[https://www.gogreensolar.com/collections/solar-panels 330W for $271] ($.78/W)

[https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Watts-Volts-Monocrystalline-Solar/dp/B07GF5JY35/ref=sr_1_11_acs_osp_osp20-b1f7e63e-74_1?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1541474151&sr=1-11-acs&keywords=solar%2Bpanel&tag=bestcont06-20&ascsubtag=b1f7e63e-74a2-4f22-9bde-a2a7192c7ebf&linkCode=oas&cv_ct_id=amzn1.osp.b1f7e63e-74a2-4f22-9bde-a2a7192c7ebf&cv_ct_pg=search&cv_ct_wn=osp-search&pf_rd_i=solar%2Bpanel&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-inline&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pd_rd_r=65ac5c62-9821-43ee-bb09-10cee0f24e90&pd_rd_wg=PdGS4&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_r=5S3S6A8QRAKX5GP9B8ZR&pd_rd_w=uHYVU&pf_rd_p=53b688eb-671a-4acd-886f-dc89fa36d3d2&creativeASIN=B009Z6CW7O&pd_rd_i=B009Z6CW7O&th=1 100W for $115] ($1.15/W) (bought)

=== Panels and battery setup ===

* Tesla powerwall + solar [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s6kN9Ezws0 real-world results]:
** SC325 panels (325W) x 18 panels; peak output 5850W; actual ~5000W; 200A panel 100A subpanel for powerwall circuit (100A to AC (separate?)); 14kW storage 5kW continous 7kW peak; 89% efficiency; -29 to 50C range; 1oyr warranty; 122kg (powerwall)
** summer 32.2kWH on a hot day; fall 25.6kWH on sunny day; winter 22.7kWH
** summer with ac, 50.3 kWH drawn - 21.6kWH from grid, had spikes above powerwall ability
** cloudy and hot 29kwh (grid) + 1.8kwh (powerwall) it started low after many hot days
** fall rainy day (5.1kwh from solar(22kwh on sunny day), used 18kwh)
** cool and sunny october credit of $25
** $170 avg monthly savings, system will pay for itself in 11 years
* Someone used the Renogy panel to charge their RV, "My system consists of the following main components:"
2 - Victron Multiplus 12/3000/120-50
Victron Blue Solar charge controller MPPT 150/85
15 - 100 watt Renogy solar panels
Victron Color control gx
Victron BMV-702 battery monitor
4 - 1000Ah LifePO4 Winston battery cells
* Here's [https://www.instagram.com/p/BqBAihOgiGT/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=11b7u2t523p3b 3.3kWh in a suitcase] using "18650"s.
* Jehu, my fave instagram electric ride hacker, explains [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YwErplHps8 how to build your own powerwall]. I need this.

=== Super capacitors ===

* Super-capacitors are [https://phys.org/news/2018-02-alternative-traditional-batteries-closer-reality.html not ready to outperform batteries], at least not yet.
** Because existing supercapacitors have poor energy density per kilogramme (currently around one twentieth of existing battery technology), they have been unable to compete with conventional battery energy storage.
** Even with this restriction, supercapacitor buses are already being used in China, but the current technology means that they need to stop to be recharged frequently (i.e. at almost every bus-stop). - this is NOT A PROBLEM, as our capacitors would be CONTINUOUSLY CHARGING.
* [http://2600f-supercapacitor.blogspot.com/2013/03/super-capacitor-vs-car-battery.html Demonstration] of using a supercapacitor to meet the needs of charging a car, definitely within its ability. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKki89sq0XY Electroboom agrees.]

=== Long-range handshake ===

* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Link_budget Link budget] used to identify losses in any telecommunications system
* [https://descanso.jpl.nasa.gov/DPSummary/Descanso4--Voyager_ed.pdf Here] is how NASA did it with Voyager (1970-2029!)

=== Small Lab Research ===

We should be able to set up two arduinos or pis, one receiving sun solar to power a laser, and another receiving laser solar to power a battery. We have a lot to learn about basic electrical wiring and arduinos and pis.

A [https://www.hackster.io/achindra/morse-code-transceiver-b5ae38 hackster laser morse code] transmitter and receiver setup, very useful
The [https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B075T8ZWSN/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 laser] that was used, very popular, didn't find any others yet

There are lots of competing low-quality solar+battery projects, where's the winner? Still looking...
* [http://pi.qcontinuum.com/project.html this] does it all, with pi webserver and arduino to monitor power, but doesn't give many details
* [https://learn.adafruit.com/usb-dc-and-solar-lipoly-charger expensive adafruit gear]
* [https://www.hackster.io/PatelDarshil/updated-solar-power-station-for-arduino-e52b6f might be good] but where are the docs?
* [https://www.hackster.io/igorF2/solar-charged-battery-powered-arduino-uno-645d89 work-in-progress] but describes pulsed on-then-off to save power

General IoT research
* [https://www.open-electronics.org/the-power-of-arduino-this-unknown/ getting power to the stupid arduino]
* [https://openenergymonitor.org/ open source power monitoring] software and hardware using pi and arduido
* [https://platformio.org/ open source IoT] SDK goo shit

Strong lasers:
* Start with goggles, [https://youtu.be/WnDjIDhxnMs here's why]
* [https://www.wickedlasers.com/arctic 1-3.5W lasers] "world's best" but not avail in US - does not seem to be easy to wire up, but perhaps we could crack it open
* [https://us.banggood.com/Wholesale-Warehouse-5W-445nm-Blue-light-Power-Beam-Burning-Laser-Pointer-Pen-wp-Usa-1017346.html?rmmds=category 5W laser] in [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dii8TYdurRU lots of videos]... but can you still get it anywhere?
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzUoe-9bKa0 crazy styropyro's 200W "laser bazooka"] - this guy is incredible, [https://youtu.be/dqlDs3KfCPY?t=254 here's] a diagram of him inverting a Galilean telescope to focus a laser - a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUCHkFKOvIw short documentary] - his [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwYuHqCwXFI ruby laser] "my strongest ever"
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSdUQ4oNKiI another ruby laser] with detailed explanation
* found one! [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm5P74vcB84 this guy's 3D printer laser hack] is amazing, and linked to [https://www.banggood.com/300mW-405nm-Focusable-Blue-Violet-Laser-Module-for-DIY-Laser-Printer-Engraving-Machine-Engraver-p-1225514.html?utm_campaign=BestToolLocker_October&utm_content=2635&p=KR28032004379201507P&cur_warehouse=CN his laser part] let's get it

Other random stuff:
* [https://tkkrlab.nl/wiki/Arduino_37_sensors 37 mysterious chinese arduino sensors]
* [https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01MG3Z3PE/ref=pd_luc_rh_sspa_dk_huc_pt_expsub_2?psc=1 Lidar]

=== Launching Payloads to Space ===
[https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/11/11/rocket-lab-delivers-seven-payloads-to-orbit-plans-next-launch-in-december/ Rocket Lab’s Electron booster launches small satellites commercially]

[https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-venture-class-launch-services-contracts-for-cubesat-satellites Nasa "Venture Class" contractors] circa 2015

[https://youtu.be/OeW-Qqu9-8U Smallest Orbital Rocket] The SS-520 No. 5 three-stage sounding rocket launched TRICOM-1R microsatellite from the Uchinoura Space Center, in Kagoshima, Japan, on 3 February 2018. TRICOM-1R weights approximately 3 kg. The "payload of up to 140kg" is the information for this rocket when it is used as a two stage sounding rocket. Then it does take 140 kg to a suborbital flight with a maximum altitude of 800 km (at which point it will have zero velocity). Here, the place of this payload is taken by the third stage. Plus, there is extra hardware between the first and the second stage. The satellite that rides on the third stage and is placed in orbit is just 3 kg, and that's roughly what this rocket's maximum payload to orbit is (not counting the weight of the spent third stage itself, which ends up in the same orbit.)

This comes to well over a million dollars per kilogram of useful payload into orbit. But it is still the tiniest space booster! And if your goal is to put something into a specific orbit in the cheapest way, rather than to put tons of stuff in the cheapest way per kg, a few million dollars is a reasonably low price -- comparing to any available today alternative. (There are several start-ups trying to build very small and very low cost boosters)

Today, most builders of nano-satellites use ride-share services and get their '''3-6 kg satellites launched for under half a million dollars''' each, together with dozens or hundreds of others in the same launch. The most popular ride-share service is offered by the operators of the '''PSLV rocket in India'''. Startups and universities from dozens of countries use it every year to get their cube-sats into orbit.

=== General Notes ===
Question: what's the maximum input into a photovoltaic cell? Exposing it to the sun in space will provide what percentage of peak opportunity? Should we employ mirrors or prisms to redirect more sunlight into the PV cells? what would be most cost effective: adding more PV cells or adding redirected/reflected sunlight to existing PV cells?

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_power_transfer#Lasers Wikipedia: Wireless_power_transfer via laser (aka "Power Beaming")]

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-based_solar_power Wikipedia: Space Based Solar Power (SBSP)]

[https://www.wi-charge.com/ Long Range Wireless Power by Wi-Charge] demoed at CES 2018 - First wireless power system using lasers for consumer applications. Complies with mandatory IEC 60825 sagfety standards for consumer use.

[http://www.wi-charge.com/apply-for-beta/ OEM looking to incorporate wireless power modules into new products? Apply for beta]

[https://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/news/FactSheets/FS-087-DFRC.html NASA Armstrong Fact Sheet: Beamed Laser Power for UAVs]

[https://blog.innovation4e.de/en/2016/09/12/power-by-light/ Power by Light - blog with working prototypes]

[https://youtu.be/IfWBWoIPHIo Youtube: Wirelessly Powered Train]

[https://youtu.be/q5p3ezRF8xo Youtube: Photovoltaic laser power converters with increased voltage output (27m)]

=== Academic Papers ===

[https://e-reports-ext.llnl.gov/pdf/372187.pdf U.S. Energy Department’s own Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) 2009 proposal (PDF)]

[https://www.energy.gov/articles/space-based-solar-power energy.gov with Infographic]

[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378775318304713 laser power beaming light-to-electricity conversion efficiency correlates directly between electricity conversion and heat generation - abstract behind paywall]

[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261567166_Development_and_characterisation_of_laser_power_converters_for_optical_power_transfer_applications Development and characterisation of laser powerconverters for optical power transfer applications - French paper 2013]

[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1350449515000766 Paper: Design and optimization of GaAs photovoltaic converter for laser power beaming]

[https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7877321 Paper: Photovoltaic laser power converters for wireless optical power supply of sensor systems]

[https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/4752734 Paper: High-Voltage GaAs Photovoltaic Laser Power Converters]

=== Youtube infotainment ===
* electronics: jehugarcia, ElectroBOOM, GreatScott!, EEVBlog, bigclivedotcom, Jeremy Fielding, Fran Blanche, The Hacksmith
* lasers: styropyro, Marco Reps
* robotics: [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmkP178NasnhR3TWQyyP4Gw Metatronics], Adafruit Industries, simone Giertz (relentlessly pursues creativity with fun robots)
* other: Captain Disillusion (awesome entertaining video 3D graphics), Cody'sLab (chemistry), AvE (mechanical engineering (and electronics?)), PhysicsGirl (physics)
* general: The King of Random, TheBackyardScientist, SmarterEveryDay, Veritasium, Vsauce, Adam Savage’s Tested

Off-world Power Generation Research

2019-01-12T21:19:23Z

Dan: added questions

=== Current conclusions ===

* Use a satellite in low-earth sun-synchronous polar orbit. - Nevada-sized array?
* Use lasers for power transmission not microwaves.
* Use batteries for storage not capacitors - perhaps not (see note below)
* Use low-power laser handshaking for safety cutoff.
* Use best-practice cyber-security.

=== Earth orbits and other locations in space ===

* earth to moon: 238,900 miles
* there are [https://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/mission/observatory_l2.html four lagrange points] that provide constant sun exposure at predictable locations
* l1 to earth/moon: 1 million miles
* A [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geosynchronous_orbit geosynchronous orbit] takes one sidereal day, and is 35,786 km (22,236 mi) above the Earth's surface. Those closer to Earth orbit faster than Earth rotates, so from Earth, they appear to move eastward while those that orbit beyond geosynchronous distances appear to move westward.
* other interesting earth orbits: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_Earth_orbit low] goes across poles, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium_Earth_orbit medium] used by GPS, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Earth_orbit high] is slow and crawls west, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molniya_orbit Molniya] spends more time away from equator; [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium_Earth_orbit#/media/File:Orbitalaltitudes.jpg relative distances diagram]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun-synchronous_orbit sun-synchronous orbits] that "ride the terminator" (the line that separates night and day, aka "dawn/dusk orbit") are low-earth polar orbits that maintain constant solar exposure. They cross many locations on the earth throughout the year - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUG5ALki-WY this guy KNOWS ORBITS, lots to learn here] - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylvgxNF3C0c sun-sync video example] - scientific satellites that use this orbit include Yohkoh, TRACE, Hinode and PROBA2
* Is there a sun-synchronous orbit that frequently passes over predictable locations on Earth's surface? That would be ideal for our purpose.

These are therefore probably less useful:

* <Earth> <-clearsky-burst-laser-- <L1 solar array>
* <Earth> <-microwave-- <Earth-orbit satellite> <-laser-- <Earth's moon> <-laser-- <L1 solar array>
* <Earth> <-clearsky-burst-laser-- <Earth's moon> <-laser-- <L1 solar array>
* <Earth-orbit satellite> <- <Earth's moon>
* <Earth's moon> <- <Earth-Sol Lagrange-point solar array>

=== Power 101 ===

* Power is measured in Newton-meters per second or Joules per second or Watts.
* [https://learn.openenergymonitor.org/electricity-monitoring/ac-power-theory/introduction openenergymonitor intro to AC power in the home]
* [https://www.coursera.org/learn/power-electronics/home/welcome Power electronics Coursera class]

=== Free-space power transfer ===

* the sun primarily produces visible light (not microwaves or gamma...)
* laser transmission is more efficient than microwave, except where earth's atmosphere interferes
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-based_solar_power current status]: A Gigawatt-range microwave system would weigh ~80,000 tons (prohibitively expensive) [https://www.energy.gov/articles/space-based-solar-power more] [https://e-reports-ext.llnl.gov/pdf/372187.pdf lots more]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell_efficiency Solar cell efficiency]
* Laser transmit antenna in space: 1 meter diameter per GW
* Receive: Several hundred meters across

=== Working Systems ===

* The latest summary of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_power_transfer#Lasers Laser power transfer] on wikipeida
* It also covers [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_power_transfer wireless power transfer] in general using many techniques

[https://www.nasa.gov/offices/oct/early_stage_innovation/centennial_challenges/beaming_tether/index.html NASA 2009 Power Beaming Competition]

[https://www.popularmechanics.com/flight/drones/a7966/how-it-works-laser-beaming-recharges-uav-in-flight-11091133/ LaserMotive charging an unmanned drone]

[http://www.spaceward.org/games space elevator, and its power beaming need]

* Attempting this challenge requires that the participating teams would excel at laser optics, photovoltaics, electrical and mechanical engineering, and overall system design. The vehicles must be lightweight yet powerful. The laser beams must be well focused while tracking the climbers, and the climbers must be adept at converting them back into electricity and then into mechanical power. If you think this sounds complicated, you're right - out of about 40 teams that tried their hand at the challenge, only 3 made it to the final challenge.

=== Coupled PV cells and Lasers ===

Often called Power Over Fiber.

MH GoPower (MHGP) produces a high-performance silicon-based vertical multijunction (VMJ) PV cell that enables high-wattage laser power transmission. See [https://www.laserfocusworld.com/articles/print/volume-51/issue-02/features/laser-powered-devices-high-concentration-pv-cell-enables-high-wattage-laser-power-transmission.html here].

Preliminary test data is shown for a 0.78 cm/sup 2/ VMJ cell with 40 series connected junctions producing 31.8 watts at 25.5 volts at near 2500 suns AM1.5 intensity (40.4 watts per cm/sup 2/ output at 211 watts per cm/sup 2/ input with an estimated efficiency near 20%).

[http://powerlighttech.com/free-space-power-beaming-2/ Powerlight] has free-space power beaming tech. LaserMotive has previously demonstrated power beaming systems with a receiver-specific power as high as 800 W/kg.

[https://www.rp-photonics.com/bg/buy_power_over_fiber.html Several vendors]

=== Solar Panels ===

Why not buy a nice full-sized panel and see what we can collect with it?

[https://www.gogreensolar.com/collections/solar-panels 330W for $271] ($.78/W)

[https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Watts-Volts-Monocrystalline-Solar/dp/B07GF5JY35/ref=sr_1_11_acs_osp_osp20-b1f7e63e-74_1?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1541474151&sr=1-11-acs&keywords=solar%2Bpanel&tag=bestcont06-20&ascsubtag=b1f7e63e-74a2-4f22-9bde-a2a7192c7ebf&linkCode=oas&cv_ct_id=amzn1.osp.b1f7e63e-74a2-4f22-9bde-a2a7192c7ebf&cv_ct_pg=search&cv_ct_wn=osp-search&pf_rd_i=solar%2Bpanel&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-inline&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pd_rd_r=65ac5c62-9821-43ee-bb09-10cee0f24e90&pd_rd_wg=PdGS4&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_r=5S3S6A8QRAKX5GP9B8ZR&pd_rd_w=uHYVU&pf_rd_p=53b688eb-671a-4acd-886f-dc89fa36d3d2&creativeASIN=B009Z6CW7O&pd_rd_i=B009Z6CW7O&th=1 100W for $115] ($1.15/W) (bought)

=== Panels and battery setup ===

* Tesla powerwall + solar [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s6kN9Ezws0 real-world results]:
** SC325 panels (325W) x 18 panels; peak output 5850W; actual ~5000W; 200A panel 100A subpanel for powerwall circuit (100A to AC (separate?)); 14kW storage 5kW continous 7kW peak; 89% efficiency; -29 to 50C range; 1oyr warranty; 122kg (powerwall)
** summer 32.2kWH on a hot day; fall 25.6kWH on sunny day; winter 22.7kWH
** summer with ac, 50.3 kWH drawn - 21.6kWH from grid, had spikes above powerwall ability
** cloudy and hot 29kwh (grid) + 1.8kwh (powerwall) it started low after many hot days
** fall rainy day (5.1kwh from solar(22kwh on sunny day), used 18kwh)
** cool and sunny october credit of $25
** $170 avg monthly savings, system will pay for itself in 11 years
* Someone used the Renogy panel to charge their RV, "My system consists of the following main components:"
2 - Victron Multiplus 12/3000/120-50
Victron Blue Solar charge controller MPPT 150/85
15 - 100 watt Renogy solar panels
Victron Color control gx
Victron BMV-702 battery monitor
4 - 1000Ah LifePO4 Winston battery cells
* Here's [https://www.instagram.com/p/BqBAihOgiGT/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=11b7u2t523p3b 3.3kWh in a suitcase] using "18650"s.
* Jehu, my fave instagram electric ride hacker, explains [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YwErplHps8 how to build your own powerwall]. I need this.

=== Super capacitors ===

* Super-capacitors are [https://phys.org/news/2018-02-alternative-traditional-batteries-closer-reality.html not ready to outperform batteries], at least not yet.
** Because existing supercapacitors have poor energy density per kilogramme (currently around one twentieth of existing battery technology), they have been unable to compete with conventional battery energy storage.
** Even with this restriction, supercapacitor buses are already being used in China, but the current technology means that they need to stop to be recharged frequently (i.e. at almost every bus-stop). - this is NOT A PROBLEM, as our capacitors would be CONTINUOUSLY CHARGING.
* [http://2600f-supercapacitor.blogspot.com/2013/03/super-capacitor-vs-car-battery.html Demonstration] of using a supercapacitor to meet the needs of charging a car, definitely within its ability. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKki89sq0XY Electroboom agrees.]

=== Long-range handshake ===

* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Link_budget Link budget] used to identify losses in any telecommunications system
* [https://descanso.jpl.nasa.gov/DPSummary/Descanso4--Voyager_ed.pdf Here] is how NASA did it with Voyager (1970-2029!)

=== Small Lab Research ===

We should be able to set up two arduinos or pis, one receiving sun solar to power a laser, and another receiving laser solar to power a battery. We have a lot to learn about basic electrical wiring and arduinos and pis.

A [https://www.hackster.io/achindra/morse-code-transceiver-b5ae38 hackster laser morse code] transmitter and receiver setup, very useful
The [https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B075T8ZWSN/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 laser] that was used, very popular, didn't find any others yet

There are lots of competing low-quality solar+battery projects, where's the winner? Still looking...
* [http://pi.qcontinuum.com/project.html this] does it all, with pi webserver and arduino to monitor power, but doesn't give many details
* [https://learn.adafruit.com/usb-dc-and-solar-lipoly-charger expensive adafruit gear]
* [https://www.hackster.io/PatelDarshil/updated-solar-power-station-for-arduino-e52b6f might be good] but where are the docs?
* [https://www.hackster.io/igorF2/solar-charged-battery-powered-arduino-uno-645d89 work-in-progress] but describes pulsed on-then-off to save power

General IoT research
* [https://www.open-electronics.org/the-power-of-arduino-this-unknown/ getting power to the stupid arduino]
* [https://openenergymonitor.org/ open source power monitoring] software and hardware using pi and arduido
* [https://platformio.org/ open source IoT] SDK goo shit

Strong lasers:
* Start with goggles, [https://youtu.be/WnDjIDhxnMs here's why]
* [https://www.wickedlasers.com/arctic 1-3.5W lasers] "world's best" but not avail in US - does not seem to be easy to wire up, but perhaps we could crack it open
* [https://us.banggood.com/Wholesale-Warehouse-5W-445nm-Blue-light-Power-Beam-Burning-Laser-Pointer-Pen-wp-Usa-1017346.html?rmmds=category 5W laser] in [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dii8TYdurRU lots of videos]... but can you still get it anywhere?
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzUoe-9bKa0 crazy styropyro's 200W "laser bazooka"] - this guy is incredible, [https://youtu.be/dqlDs3KfCPY?t=254 here's] a diagram of him inverting a Galilean telescope to focus a laser - a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUCHkFKOvIw short documentary] - his [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwYuHqCwXFI ruby laser] "my strongest ever"
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSdUQ4oNKiI another ruby laser] with detailed explanation
* found one! [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm5P74vcB84 this guy's 3D printer laser hack] is amazing, and linked to [https://www.banggood.com/300mW-405nm-Focusable-Blue-Violet-Laser-Module-for-DIY-Laser-Printer-Engraving-Machine-Engraver-p-1225514.html?utm_campaign=BestToolLocker_October&utm_content=2635&p=KR28032004379201507P&cur_warehouse=CN his laser part] let's get it

Other random stuff:
* [https://tkkrlab.nl/wiki/Arduino_37_sensors 37 mysterious chinese arduino sensors]
* [https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01MG3Z3PE/ref=pd_luc_rh_sspa_dk_huc_pt_expsub_2?psc=1 Lidar]

=== Launching Payloads to Space ===
[https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/11/11/rocket-lab-delivers-seven-payloads-to-orbit-plans-next-launch-in-december/ Rocket Lab’s Electron booster launches small satellites commercially]

[https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-venture-class-launch-services-contracts-for-cubesat-satellites Nasa "Venture Class" contractors] circa 2015

[https://youtu.be/OeW-Qqu9-8U Smallest Orbital Rocket] The SS-520 No. 5 three-stage sounding rocket launched TRICOM-1R microsatellite from the Uchinoura Space Center, in Kagoshima, Japan, on 3 February 2018. TRICOM-1R weights approximately 3 kg. The "payload of up to 140kg" is the information for this rocket when it is used as a two stage sounding rocket. Then it does take 140 kg to a suborbital flight with a maximum altitude of 800 km (at which point it will have zero velocity). Here, the place of this payload is taken by the third stage. Plus, there is extra hardware between the first and the second stage. The satellite that rides on the third stage and is placed in orbit is just 3 kg, and that's roughly what this rocket's maximum payload to orbit is (not counting the weight of the spent third stage itself, which ends up in the same orbit.)

This comes to well over a million dollars per kilogram of useful payload into orbit. But it is still the tiniest space booster! And if your goal is to put something into a specific orbit in the cheapest way, rather than to put tons of stuff in the cheapest way per kg, a few million dollars is a reasonably low price -- comparing to any available today alternative. (There are several start-ups trying to build very small and very low cost boosters)

Today, most builders of nano-satellites use ride-share services and get their '''3-6 kg satellites launched for under half a million dollars''' each, together with dozens or hundreds of others in the same launch. The most popular ride-share service is offered by the operators of the '''PSLV rocket in India'''. Startups and universities from dozens of countries use it every year to get their cube-sats into orbit.

=== General Notes ===
Question: what's the maximum input into a photovoltaic cell? Exposing it to the sun in space will provide what percentage of peak opportunity? Should we employ mirrors or prisms to redirect more sunlight into the PV cells? what would be most cost effective: adding more PV cells or adding redirected/reflected sunlight to existing PV cells?

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_power_transfer#Lasers Wikipedia: Wireless_power_transfer via laser (aka "Power Beaming")]

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-based_solar_power Wikipedia: Space Based Solar Power (SBSP)]

[https://www.wi-charge.com/ Long Range Wireless Power by Wi-Charge] demoed at CES 2018 - First wireless power system using lasers for consumer applications. Complies with mandatory IEC 60825 sagfety standards for consumer use.

[http://www.wi-charge.com/apply-for-beta/ OEM looking to incorporate wireless power modules into new products? Apply for beta]

[https://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/news/FactSheets/FS-087-DFRC.html NASA Armstrong Fact Sheet: Beamed Laser Power for UAVs]

[https://blog.innovation4e.de/en/2016/09/12/power-by-light/ Power by Light - blog with working prototypes]

[https://youtu.be/IfWBWoIPHIo Youtube: Wirelessly Powered Train]

[https://youtu.be/q5p3ezRF8xo Youtube: Photovoltaic laser power converters with increased voltage output (27m)]

=== Academic Papers ===

[https://e-reports-ext.llnl.gov/pdf/372187.pdf U.S. Energy Department’s own Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) 2009 proposal (PDF)]

[https://www.energy.gov/articles/space-based-solar-power energy.gov with Infographic]

[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378775318304713 laser power beaming light-to-electricity conversion efficiency correlates directly between electricity conversion and heat generation - abstract behind paywall]

[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261567166_Development_and_characterisation_of_laser_power_converters_for_optical_power_transfer_applications Development and characterisation of laser powerconverters for optical power transfer applications - French paper 2013]

[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1350449515000766 Paper: Design and optimization of GaAs photovoltaic converter for laser power beaming]

[https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7877321 Paper: Photovoltaic laser power converters for wireless optical power supply of sensor systems]

[https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/4752734 Paper: High-Voltage GaAs Photovoltaic Laser Power Converters]

=== Youtube infotainment ===
* electronics: jehugarcia, ElectroBOOM, GreatScott!, EEVBlog, bigclivedotcom, Jeremy Fielding, Fran Blanche, The Hacksmith
* lasers: styropyro, Marco Reps
* robotics: [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmkP178NasnhR3TWQyyP4Gw Metatronics], Adafruit Industries, simone Giertz (relentlessly pursues creativity with fun robots)
* other: Captain Disillusion (awesome entertaining video 3D graphics), Cody'sLab (chemistry), AvE (mechanical engineering (and electronics?)), PhysicsGirl (physics)
* general: The King of Random, TheBackyardScientist, SmarterEveryDay, Veritasium, Vsauce, Adam Savage’s Tested

Off-world Power Generation Research

2019-01-12T21:16:42Z

Dan: continuously charging

=== Current conclusions ===

* Use a satellite in low-earth sun-synchronous polar orbit.
* Use lasers for power transmission not microwaves.
* Use batteries for storage not capacitors.
* Use low-power laser handshaking for safety cutoff.
* Use best-practice cyber-security.

=== Earth orbits and other locations in space ===

* earth to moon: 238,900 miles
* there are [https://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/mission/observatory_l2.html four lagrange points] that provide constant sun exposure at predictable locations
* l1 to earth/moon: 1 million miles
* A [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geosynchronous_orbit geosynchronous orbit] takes one sidereal day, and is 35,786 km (22,236 mi) above the Earth's surface. Those closer to Earth orbit faster than Earth rotates, so from Earth, they appear to move eastward while those that orbit beyond geosynchronous distances appear to move westward.
* other interesting earth orbits: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_Earth_orbit low] goes across poles, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium_Earth_orbit medium] used by GPS, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Earth_orbit high] is slow and crawls west, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molniya_orbit Molniya] spends more time away from equator; [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium_Earth_orbit#/media/File:Orbitalaltitudes.jpg relative distances diagram]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun-synchronous_orbit sun-synchronous orbits] that "ride the terminator" (the line that separates night and day, aka "dawn/dusk orbit") are low-earth polar orbits that maintain constant solar exposure. They cross many locations on the earth throughout the year - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUG5ALki-WY this guy KNOWS ORBITS, lots to learn here] - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylvgxNF3C0c sun-sync video example] - scientific satellites that use this orbit include Yohkoh, TRACE, Hinode and PROBA2
* Is there a sun-synchronous orbit that frequently passes over predictable locations on Earth's surface? That would be ideal for our purpose.

These are therefore probably less useful:

* <Earth> <-clearsky-burst-laser-- <L1 solar array>
* <Earth> <-microwave-- <Earth-orbit satellite> <-laser-- <Earth's moon> <-laser-- <L1 solar array>
* <Earth> <-clearsky-burst-laser-- <Earth's moon> <-laser-- <L1 solar array>
* <Earth-orbit satellite> <- <Earth's moon>
* <Earth's moon> <- <Earth-Sol Lagrange-point solar array>

=== Power 101 ===

* Power is measured in Newton-meters per second or Joules per second or Watts.
* [https://learn.openenergymonitor.org/electricity-monitoring/ac-power-theory/introduction openenergymonitor intro to AC power in the home]
* [https://www.coursera.org/learn/power-electronics/home/welcome Power electronics Coursera class]

=== Free-space power transfer ===

* the sun primarily produces visible light (not microwaves or gamma...)
* laser transmission is more efficient than microwave, except where earth's atmosphere interferes
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-based_solar_power current status]: A Gigawatt-range microwave system would weigh ~80,000 tons (prohibitively expensive) [https://www.energy.gov/articles/space-based-solar-power more] [https://e-reports-ext.llnl.gov/pdf/372187.pdf lots more]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell_efficiency Solar cell efficiency]
* Laser transmit antenna in space: 1 meter diameter per GW
* Receive: Several hundred meters across

=== Working Systems ===

* The latest summary of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_power_transfer#Lasers Laser power transfer] on wikipeida
* It also covers [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_power_transfer wireless power transfer] in general using many techniques

[https://www.nasa.gov/offices/oct/early_stage_innovation/centennial_challenges/beaming_tether/index.html NASA 2009 Power Beaming Competition]

[https://www.popularmechanics.com/flight/drones/a7966/how-it-works-laser-beaming-recharges-uav-in-flight-11091133/ LaserMotive charging an unmanned drone]

[http://www.spaceward.org/games space elevator, and its power beaming need]

* Attempting this challenge requires that the participating teams would excel at laser optics, photovoltaics, electrical and mechanical engineering, and overall system design. The vehicles must be lightweight yet powerful. The laser beams must be well focused while tracking the climbers, and the climbers must be adept at converting them back into electricity and then into mechanical power. If you think this sounds complicated, you're right - out of about 40 teams that tried their hand at the challenge, only 3 made it to the final challenge.

=== Coupled PV cells and Lasers ===

Often called Power Over Fiber.

MH GoPower (MHGP) produces a high-performance silicon-based vertical multijunction (VMJ) PV cell that enables high-wattage laser power transmission. See [https://www.laserfocusworld.com/articles/print/volume-51/issue-02/features/laser-powered-devices-high-concentration-pv-cell-enables-high-wattage-laser-power-transmission.html here].

Preliminary test data is shown for a 0.78 cm/sup 2/ VMJ cell with 40 series connected junctions producing 31.8 watts at 25.5 volts at near 2500 suns AM1.5 intensity (40.4 watts per cm/sup 2/ output at 211 watts per cm/sup 2/ input with an estimated efficiency near 20%).

[http://powerlighttech.com/free-space-power-beaming-2/ Powerlight] has free-space power beaming tech. LaserMotive has previously demonstrated power beaming systems with a receiver-specific power as high as 800 W/kg.

[https://www.rp-photonics.com/bg/buy_power_over_fiber.html Several vendors]

=== Solar Panels ===

Why not buy a nice full-sized panel and see what we can collect with it?

[https://www.gogreensolar.com/collections/solar-panels 330W for $271] ($.78/W)

[https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Watts-Volts-Monocrystalline-Solar/dp/B07GF5JY35/ref=sr_1_11_acs_osp_osp20-b1f7e63e-74_1?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1541474151&sr=1-11-acs&keywords=solar%2Bpanel&tag=bestcont06-20&ascsubtag=b1f7e63e-74a2-4f22-9bde-a2a7192c7ebf&linkCode=oas&cv_ct_id=amzn1.osp.b1f7e63e-74a2-4f22-9bde-a2a7192c7ebf&cv_ct_pg=search&cv_ct_wn=osp-search&pf_rd_i=solar%2Bpanel&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-inline&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pd_rd_r=65ac5c62-9821-43ee-bb09-10cee0f24e90&pd_rd_wg=PdGS4&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_r=5S3S6A8QRAKX5GP9B8ZR&pd_rd_w=uHYVU&pf_rd_p=53b688eb-671a-4acd-886f-dc89fa36d3d2&creativeASIN=B009Z6CW7O&pd_rd_i=B009Z6CW7O&th=1 100W for $115] ($1.15/W) (bought)

=== Panels and battery setup ===

* Tesla powerwall + solar [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s6kN9Ezws0 real-world results]:
** SC325 panels (325W) x 18 panels; peak output 5850W; actual ~5000W; 200A panel 100A subpanel for powerwall circuit (100A to AC (separate?)); 14kW storage 5kW continous 7kW peak; 89% efficiency; -29 to 50C range; 1oyr warranty; 122kg (powerwall)
** summer 32.2kWH on a hot day; fall 25.6kWH on sunny day; winter 22.7kWH
** summer with ac, 50.3 kWH drawn - 21.6kWH from grid, had spikes above powerwall ability
** cloudy and hot 29kwh (grid) + 1.8kwh (powerwall) it started low after many hot days
** fall rainy day (5.1kwh from solar(22kwh on sunny day), used 18kwh)
** cool and sunny october credit of $25
** $170 avg monthly savings, system will pay for itself in 11 years
* Someone used the Renogy panel to charge their RV, "My system consists of the following main components:"
2 - Victron Multiplus 12/3000/120-50
Victron Blue Solar charge controller MPPT 150/85
15 - 100 watt Renogy solar panels
Victron Color control gx
Victron BMV-702 battery monitor
4 - 1000Ah LifePO4 Winston battery cells
* Here's [https://www.instagram.com/p/BqBAihOgiGT/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=11b7u2t523p3b 3.3kWh in a suitcase] using "18650"s.
* Jehu, my fave instagram electric ride hacker, explains [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YwErplHps8 how to build your own powerwall]. I need this.

=== Super capacitors ===

* Super-capacitors are [https://phys.org/news/2018-02-alternative-traditional-batteries-closer-reality.html not ready to outperform batteries], at least not yet.
** Because existing supercapacitors have poor energy density per kilogramme (currently around one twentieth of existing battery technology), they have been unable to compete with conventional battery energy storage.
** Even with this restriction, supercapacitor buses are already being used in China, but the current technology means that they need to stop to be recharged frequently (i.e. at almost every bus-stop). - this is NOT A PROBLEM, as our capacitors would be CONTINUOUSLY CHARGING.
* [http://2600f-supercapacitor.blogspot.com/2013/03/super-capacitor-vs-car-battery.html Demonstration] of using a supercapacitor to meet the needs of charging a car, definitely within its ability. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKki89sq0XY Electroboom agrees.]

=== Long-range handshake ===

* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Link_budget Link budget] used to identify losses in any telecommunications system
* [https://descanso.jpl.nasa.gov/DPSummary/Descanso4--Voyager_ed.pdf Here] is how NASA did it with Voyager (1970-2029!)

=== Small Lab Research ===

We should be able to set up two arduinos or pis, one receiving sun solar to power a laser, and another receiving laser solar to power a battery. We have a lot to learn about basic electrical wiring and arduinos and pis.

A [https://www.hackster.io/achindra/morse-code-transceiver-b5ae38 hackster laser morse code] transmitter and receiver setup, very useful
The [https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B075T8ZWSN/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 laser] that was used, very popular, didn't find any others yet

There are lots of competing low-quality solar+battery projects, where's the winner? Still looking...
* [http://pi.qcontinuum.com/project.html this] does it all, with pi webserver and arduino to monitor power, but doesn't give many details
* [https://learn.adafruit.com/usb-dc-and-solar-lipoly-charger expensive adafruit gear]
* [https://www.hackster.io/PatelDarshil/updated-solar-power-station-for-arduino-e52b6f might be good] but where are the docs?
* [https://www.hackster.io/igorF2/solar-charged-battery-powered-arduino-uno-645d89 work-in-progress] but describes pulsed on-then-off to save power

General IoT research
* [https://www.open-electronics.org/the-power-of-arduino-this-unknown/ getting power to the stupid arduino]
* [https://openenergymonitor.org/ open source power monitoring] software and hardware using pi and arduido
* [https://platformio.org/ open source IoT] SDK goo shit

Strong lasers:
* Start with goggles, [https://youtu.be/WnDjIDhxnMs here's why]
* [https://www.wickedlasers.com/arctic 1-3.5W lasers] "world's best" but not avail in US - does not seem to be easy to wire up, but perhaps we could crack it open
* [https://us.banggood.com/Wholesale-Warehouse-5W-445nm-Blue-light-Power-Beam-Burning-Laser-Pointer-Pen-wp-Usa-1017346.html?rmmds=category 5W laser] in [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dii8TYdurRU lots of videos]... but can you still get it anywhere?
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzUoe-9bKa0 crazy styropyro's 200W "laser bazooka"] - this guy is incredible, [https://youtu.be/dqlDs3KfCPY?t=254 here's] a diagram of him inverting a Galilean telescope to focus a laser - a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUCHkFKOvIw short documentary] - his [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwYuHqCwXFI ruby laser] "my strongest ever"
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSdUQ4oNKiI another ruby laser] with detailed explanation
* found one! [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm5P74vcB84 this guy's 3D printer laser hack] is amazing, and linked to [https://www.banggood.com/300mW-405nm-Focusable-Blue-Violet-Laser-Module-for-DIY-Laser-Printer-Engraving-Machine-Engraver-p-1225514.html?utm_campaign=BestToolLocker_October&utm_content=2635&p=KR28032004379201507P&cur_warehouse=CN his laser part] let's get it

Other random stuff:
* [https://tkkrlab.nl/wiki/Arduino_37_sensors 37 mysterious chinese arduino sensors]
* [https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01MG3Z3PE/ref=pd_luc_rh_sspa_dk_huc_pt_expsub_2?psc=1 Lidar]

=== Launching Payloads to Space ===
[https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/11/11/rocket-lab-delivers-seven-payloads-to-orbit-plans-next-launch-in-december/ Rocket Lab’s Electron booster launches small satellites commercially]

[https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-venture-class-launch-services-contracts-for-cubesat-satellites Nasa "Venture Class" contractors] circa 2015

[https://youtu.be/OeW-Qqu9-8U Smallest Orbital Rocket] The SS-520 No. 5 three-stage sounding rocket launched TRICOM-1R microsatellite from the Uchinoura Space Center, in Kagoshima, Japan, on 3 February 2018. TRICOM-1R weights approximately 3 kg. The "payload of up to 140kg" is the information for this rocket when it is used as a two stage sounding rocket. Then it does take 140 kg to a suborbital flight with a maximum altitude of 800 km (at which point it will have zero velocity). Here, the place of this payload is taken by the third stage. Plus, there is extra hardware between the first and the second stage. The satellite that rides on the third stage and is placed in orbit is just 3 kg, and that's roughly what this rocket's maximum payload to orbit is (not counting the weight of the spent third stage itself, which ends up in the same orbit.)

This comes to well over a million dollars per kilogram of useful payload into orbit. But it is still the tiniest space booster! And if your goal is to put something into a specific orbit in the cheapest way, rather than to put tons of stuff in the cheapest way per kg, a few million dollars is a reasonably low price -- comparing to any available today alternative. (There are several start-ups trying to build very small and very low cost boosters)

Today, most builders of nano-satellites use ride-share services and get their '''3-6 kg satellites launched for under half a million dollars''' each, together with dozens or hundreds of others in the same launch. The most popular ride-share service is offered by the operators of the '''PSLV rocket in India'''. Startups and universities from dozens of countries use it every year to get their cube-sats into orbit.

=== General Notes ===
Question: what's the maximum input into a photovoltaic cell? Exposing it to the sun in space will provide what percentage of peak opportunity? Should we employ mirrors or prisms to redirect more sunlight into the PV cells? what would be most cost effective: adding more PV cells or adding redirected/reflected sunlight to existing PV cells?

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_power_transfer#Lasers Wikipedia: Wireless_power_transfer via laser (aka "Power Beaming")]

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-based_solar_power Wikipedia: Space Based Solar Power (SBSP)]

[https://www.wi-charge.com/ Long Range Wireless Power by Wi-Charge] demoed at CES 2018 - First wireless power system using lasers for consumer applications. Complies with mandatory IEC 60825 sagfety standards for consumer use.

[http://www.wi-charge.com/apply-for-beta/ OEM looking to incorporate wireless power modules into new products? Apply for beta]

[https://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/news/FactSheets/FS-087-DFRC.html NASA Armstrong Fact Sheet: Beamed Laser Power for UAVs]

[https://blog.innovation4e.de/en/2016/09/12/power-by-light/ Power by Light - blog with working prototypes]

[https://youtu.be/IfWBWoIPHIo Youtube: Wirelessly Powered Train]

[https://youtu.be/q5p3ezRF8xo Youtube: Photovoltaic laser power converters with increased voltage output (27m)]

=== Academic Papers ===

[https://e-reports-ext.llnl.gov/pdf/372187.pdf U.S. Energy Department’s own Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) 2009 proposal (PDF)]

[https://www.energy.gov/articles/space-based-solar-power energy.gov with Infographic]

[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378775318304713 laser power beaming light-to-electricity conversion efficiency correlates directly between electricity conversion and heat generation - abstract behind paywall]

[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261567166_Development_and_characterisation_of_laser_power_converters_for_optical_power_transfer_applications Development and characterisation of laser powerconverters for optical power transfer applications - French paper 2013]

[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1350449515000766 Paper: Design and optimization of GaAs photovoltaic converter for laser power beaming]

[https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7877321 Paper: Photovoltaic laser power converters for wireless optical power supply of sensor systems]

[https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/4752734 Paper: High-Voltage GaAs Photovoltaic Laser Power Converters]

=== Youtube infotainment ===
* electronics: jehugarcia, ElectroBOOM, GreatScott!, EEVBlog, bigclivedotcom, Jeremy Fielding, Fran Blanche, The Hacksmith
* lasers: styropyro, Marco Reps
* robotics: [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmkP178NasnhR3TWQyyP4Gw Metatronics], Adafruit Industries, simone Giertz (relentlessly pursues creativity with fun robots)
* other: Captain Disillusion (awesome entertaining video 3D graphics), Cody'sLab (chemistry), AvE (mechanical engineering (and electronics?)), PhysicsGirl (physics)
* general: The King of Random, TheBackyardScientist, SmarterEveryDay, Veritasium, Vsauce, Adam Savage’s Tested

Off-world Power Generation Research

2019-01-12T21:11:28Z

Dan: added Japan's SS-520 - smallest rocket for small payloads

=== Current conclusions ===

* Use a satellite in low-earth sun-synchronous polar orbit.
* Use lasers for power transmission not microwaves.
* Use batteries for storage not capacitors.
* Use low-power laser handshaking for safety cutoff.
* Use best-practice cyber-security.

=== Earth orbits and other locations in space ===

* earth to moon: 238,900 miles
* there are [https://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/mission/observatory_l2.html four lagrange points] that provide constant sun exposure at predictable locations
* l1 to earth/moon: 1 million miles
* A [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geosynchronous_orbit geosynchronous orbit] takes one sidereal day, and is 35,786 km (22,236 mi) above the Earth's surface. Those closer to Earth orbit faster than Earth rotates, so from Earth, they appear to move eastward while those that orbit beyond geosynchronous distances appear to move westward.
* other interesting earth orbits: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_Earth_orbit low] goes across poles, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium_Earth_orbit medium] used by GPS, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Earth_orbit high] is slow and crawls west, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molniya_orbit Molniya] spends more time away from equator; [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium_Earth_orbit#/media/File:Orbitalaltitudes.jpg relative distances diagram]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun-synchronous_orbit sun-synchronous orbits] that "ride the terminator" (the line that separates night and day, aka "dawn/dusk orbit") are low-earth polar orbits that maintain constant solar exposure. They cross many locations on the earth throughout the year - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUG5ALki-WY this guy KNOWS ORBITS, lots to learn here] - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylvgxNF3C0c sun-sync video example] - scientific satellites that use this orbit include Yohkoh, TRACE, Hinode and PROBA2
* Is there a sun-synchronous orbit that frequently passes over predictable locations on Earth's surface? That would be ideal for our purpose.

These are therefore probably less useful:

* <Earth> <-clearsky-burst-laser-- <L1 solar array>
* <Earth> <-microwave-- <Earth-orbit satellite> <-laser-- <Earth's moon> <-laser-- <L1 solar array>
* <Earth> <-clearsky-burst-laser-- <Earth's moon> <-laser-- <L1 solar array>
* <Earth-orbit satellite> <- <Earth's moon>
* <Earth's moon> <- <Earth-Sol Lagrange-point solar array>

=== Power 101 ===

* Power is measured in Newton-meters per second or Joules per second or Watts.
* [https://learn.openenergymonitor.org/electricity-monitoring/ac-power-theory/introduction openenergymonitor intro to AC power in the home]
* [https://www.coursera.org/learn/power-electronics/home/welcome Power electronics Coursera class]

=== Free-space power transfer ===

* the sun primarily produces visible light (not microwaves or gamma...)
* laser transmission is more efficient than microwave, except where earth's atmosphere interferes
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-based_solar_power current status]: A Gigawatt-range microwave system would weigh ~80,000 tons (prohibitively expensive) [https://www.energy.gov/articles/space-based-solar-power more] [https://e-reports-ext.llnl.gov/pdf/372187.pdf lots more]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell_efficiency Solar cell efficiency]
* Laser transmit antenna in space: 1 meter diameter per GW
* Receive: Several hundred meters across

=== Working Systems ===

* The latest summary of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_power_transfer#Lasers Laser power transfer] on wikipeida
* It also covers [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_power_transfer wireless power transfer] in general using many techniques

[https://www.nasa.gov/offices/oct/early_stage_innovation/centennial_challenges/beaming_tether/index.html NASA 2009 Power Beaming Competition]

[https://www.popularmechanics.com/flight/drones/a7966/how-it-works-laser-beaming-recharges-uav-in-flight-11091133/ LaserMotive charging an unmanned drone]

[http://www.spaceward.org/games space elevator, and its power beaming need]

* Attempting this challenge requires that the participating teams would excel at laser optics, photovoltaics, electrical and mechanical engineering, and overall system design. The vehicles must be lightweight yet powerful. The laser beams must be well focused while tracking the climbers, and the climbers must be adept at converting them back into electricity and then into mechanical power. If you think this sounds complicated, you're right - out of about 40 teams that tried their hand at the challenge, only 3 made it to the final challenge.

=== Coupled PV cells and Lasers ===

Often called Power Over Fiber.

MH GoPower (MHGP) produces a high-performance silicon-based vertical multijunction (VMJ) PV cell that enables high-wattage laser power transmission. See [https://www.laserfocusworld.com/articles/print/volume-51/issue-02/features/laser-powered-devices-high-concentration-pv-cell-enables-high-wattage-laser-power-transmission.html here].

Preliminary test data is shown for a 0.78 cm/sup 2/ VMJ cell with 40 series connected junctions producing 31.8 watts at 25.5 volts at near 2500 suns AM1.5 intensity (40.4 watts per cm/sup 2/ output at 211 watts per cm/sup 2/ input with an estimated efficiency near 20%).

[http://powerlighttech.com/free-space-power-beaming-2/ Powerlight] has free-space power beaming tech. LaserMotive has previously demonstrated power beaming systems with a receiver-specific power as high as 800 W/kg.

[https://www.rp-photonics.com/bg/buy_power_over_fiber.html Several vendors]

=== Solar Panels ===

Why not buy a nice full-sized panel and see what we can collect with it?

[https://www.gogreensolar.com/collections/solar-panels 330W for $271] ($.78/W)

[https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Watts-Volts-Monocrystalline-Solar/dp/B07GF5JY35/ref=sr_1_11_acs_osp_osp20-b1f7e63e-74_1?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1541474151&sr=1-11-acs&keywords=solar%2Bpanel&tag=bestcont06-20&ascsubtag=b1f7e63e-74a2-4f22-9bde-a2a7192c7ebf&linkCode=oas&cv_ct_id=amzn1.osp.b1f7e63e-74a2-4f22-9bde-a2a7192c7ebf&cv_ct_pg=search&cv_ct_wn=osp-search&pf_rd_i=solar%2Bpanel&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-inline&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pd_rd_r=65ac5c62-9821-43ee-bb09-10cee0f24e90&pd_rd_wg=PdGS4&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_r=5S3S6A8QRAKX5GP9B8ZR&pd_rd_w=uHYVU&pf_rd_p=53b688eb-671a-4acd-886f-dc89fa36d3d2&creativeASIN=B009Z6CW7O&pd_rd_i=B009Z6CW7O&th=1 100W for $115] ($1.15/W) (bought)

=== Panels and battery setup ===

* Tesla powerwall + solar [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s6kN9Ezws0 real-world results]:
** SC325 panels (325W) x 18 panels; peak output 5850W; actual ~5000W; 200A panel 100A subpanel for powerwall circuit (100A to AC (separate?)); 14kW storage 5kW continous 7kW peak; 89% efficiency; -29 to 50C range; 1oyr warranty; 122kg (powerwall)
** summer 32.2kWH on a hot day; fall 25.6kWH on sunny day; winter 22.7kWH
** summer with ac, 50.3 kWH drawn - 21.6kWH from grid, had spikes above powerwall ability
** cloudy and hot 29kwh (grid) + 1.8kwh (powerwall) it started low after many hot days
** fall rainy day (5.1kwh from solar(22kwh on sunny day), used 18kwh)
** cool and sunny october credit of $25
** $170 avg monthly savings, system will pay for itself in 11 years
* Someone used the Renogy panel to charge their RV, "My system consists of the following main components:"
2 - Victron Multiplus 12/3000/120-50
Victron Blue Solar charge controller MPPT 150/85
15 - 100 watt Renogy solar panels
Victron Color control gx
Victron BMV-702 battery monitor
4 - 1000Ah LifePO4 Winston battery cells
* Here's [https://www.instagram.com/p/BqBAihOgiGT/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=11b7u2t523p3b 3.3kWh in a suitcase] using "18650"s.
* Jehu, my fave instagram electric ride hacker, explains [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YwErplHps8 how to build your own powerwall]. I need this.

=== Super capacitors ===

* Super-capacitors are [https://phys.org/news/2018-02-alternative-traditional-batteries-closer-reality.html not ready to outperform batteries], at least not yet.
** Because existing supercapacitors have poor energy density per kilogramme (currently around one twentieth of existing battery technology), they have been unable to compete with conventional battery energy storage.
** Even with this restriction, supercapacitor buses are already being used in China, but the current technology means that they need to stop to be recharged frequently (i.e. at almost every bus-stop).
* [http://2600f-supercapacitor.blogspot.com/2013/03/super-capacitor-vs-car-battery.html Demonstration] of using a supercapacitor to meet the needs of charging a car, definitely within its ability. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKki89sq0XY Electroboom agrees.]

=== Long-range handshake ===

* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Link_budget Link budget] used to identify losses in any telecommunications system
* [https://descanso.jpl.nasa.gov/DPSummary/Descanso4--Voyager_ed.pdf Here] is how NASA did it with Voyager (1970-2029!)

=== Small Lab Research ===

We should be able to set up two arduinos or pis, one receiving sun solar to power a laser, and another receiving laser solar to power a battery. We have a lot to learn about basic electrical wiring and arduinos and pis.

A [https://www.hackster.io/achindra/morse-code-transceiver-b5ae38 hackster laser morse code] transmitter and receiver setup, very useful
The [https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B075T8ZWSN/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 laser] that was used, very popular, didn't find any others yet

There are lots of competing low-quality solar+battery projects, where's the winner? Still looking...
* [http://pi.qcontinuum.com/project.html this] does it all, with pi webserver and arduino to monitor power, but doesn't give many details
* [https://learn.adafruit.com/usb-dc-and-solar-lipoly-charger expensive adafruit gear]
* [https://www.hackster.io/PatelDarshil/updated-solar-power-station-for-arduino-e52b6f might be good] but where are the docs?
* [https://www.hackster.io/igorF2/solar-charged-battery-powered-arduino-uno-645d89 work-in-progress] but describes pulsed on-then-off to save power

General IoT research
* [https://www.open-electronics.org/the-power-of-arduino-this-unknown/ getting power to the stupid arduino]
* [https://openenergymonitor.org/ open source power monitoring] software and hardware using pi and arduido
* [https://platformio.org/ open source IoT] SDK goo shit

Strong lasers:
* Start with goggles, [https://youtu.be/WnDjIDhxnMs here's why]
* [https://www.wickedlasers.com/arctic 1-3.5W lasers] "world's best" but not avail in US - does not seem to be easy to wire up, but perhaps we could crack it open
* [https://us.banggood.com/Wholesale-Warehouse-5W-445nm-Blue-light-Power-Beam-Burning-Laser-Pointer-Pen-wp-Usa-1017346.html?rmmds=category 5W laser] in [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dii8TYdurRU lots of videos]... but can you still get it anywhere?
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzUoe-9bKa0 crazy styropyro's 200W "laser bazooka"] - this guy is incredible, [https://youtu.be/dqlDs3KfCPY?t=254 here's] a diagram of him inverting a Galilean telescope to focus a laser - a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUCHkFKOvIw short documentary] - his [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwYuHqCwXFI ruby laser] "my strongest ever"
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSdUQ4oNKiI another ruby laser] with detailed explanation
* found one! [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm5P74vcB84 this guy's 3D printer laser hack] is amazing, and linked to [https://www.banggood.com/300mW-405nm-Focusable-Blue-Violet-Laser-Module-for-DIY-Laser-Printer-Engraving-Machine-Engraver-p-1225514.html?utm_campaign=BestToolLocker_October&utm_content=2635&p=KR28032004379201507P&cur_warehouse=CN his laser part] let's get it

Other random stuff:
* [https://tkkrlab.nl/wiki/Arduino_37_sensors 37 mysterious chinese arduino sensors]
* [https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01MG3Z3PE/ref=pd_luc_rh_sspa_dk_huc_pt_expsub_2?psc=1 Lidar]

=== Launching Payloads to Space ===
[https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/11/11/rocket-lab-delivers-seven-payloads-to-orbit-plans-next-launch-in-december/ Rocket Lab’s Electron booster launches small satellites commercially]

[https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-venture-class-launch-services-contracts-for-cubesat-satellites Nasa "Venture Class" contractors] circa 2015

[https://youtu.be/OeW-Qqu9-8U Smallest Orbital Rocket] The SS-520 No. 5 three-stage sounding rocket launched TRICOM-1R microsatellite from the Uchinoura Space Center, in Kagoshima, Japan, on 3 February 2018. TRICOM-1R weights approximately 3 kg. The "payload of up to 140kg" is the information for this rocket when it is used as a two stage sounding rocket. Then it does take 140 kg to a suborbital flight with a maximum altitude of 800 km (at which point it will have zero velocity). Here, the place of this payload is taken by the third stage. Plus, there is extra hardware between the first and the second stage. The satellite that rides on the third stage and is placed in orbit is just 3 kg, and that's roughly what this rocket's maximum payload to orbit is (not counting the weight of the spent third stage itself, which ends up in the same orbit.)

This comes to well over a million dollars per kilogram of useful payload into orbit. But it is still the tiniest space booster! And if your goal is to put something into a specific orbit in the cheapest way, rather than to put tons of stuff in the cheapest way per kg, a few million dollars is a reasonably low price -- comparing to any available today alternative. (There are several start-ups trying to build very small and very low cost boosters)

Today, most builders of nano-satellites use ride-share services and get their '''3-6 kg satellites launched for under half a million dollars''' each, together with dozens or hundreds of others in the same launch. The most popular ride-share service is offered by the operators of the '''PSLV rocket in India'''. Startups and universities from dozens of countries use it every year to get their cube-sats into orbit.

=== General Notes ===
Question: what's the maximum input into a photovoltaic cell? Exposing it to the sun in space will provide what percentage of peak opportunity? Should we employ mirrors or prisms to redirect more sunlight into the PV cells? what would be most cost effective: adding more PV cells or adding redirected/reflected sunlight to existing PV cells?

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_power_transfer#Lasers Wikipedia: Wireless_power_transfer via laser (aka "Power Beaming")]

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-based_solar_power Wikipedia: Space Based Solar Power (SBSP)]

[https://www.wi-charge.com/ Long Range Wireless Power by Wi-Charge] demoed at CES 2018 - First wireless power system using lasers for consumer applications. Complies with mandatory IEC 60825 sagfety standards for consumer use.

[http://www.wi-charge.com/apply-for-beta/ OEM looking to incorporate wireless power modules into new products? Apply for beta]

[https://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/news/FactSheets/FS-087-DFRC.html NASA Armstrong Fact Sheet: Beamed Laser Power for UAVs]

[https://blog.innovation4e.de/en/2016/09/12/power-by-light/ Power by Light - blog with working prototypes]

[https://youtu.be/IfWBWoIPHIo Youtube: Wirelessly Powered Train]

[https://youtu.be/q5p3ezRF8xo Youtube: Photovoltaic laser power converters with increased voltage output (27m)]

=== Academic Papers ===

[https://e-reports-ext.llnl.gov/pdf/372187.pdf U.S. Energy Department’s own Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) 2009 proposal (PDF)]

[https://www.energy.gov/articles/space-based-solar-power energy.gov with Infographic]

[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378775318304713 laser power beaming light-to-electricity conversion efficiency correlates directly between electricity conversion and heat generation - abstract behind paywall]

[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261567166_Development_and_characterisation_of_laser_power_converters_for_optical_power_transfer_applications Development and characterisation of laser powerconverters for optical power transfer applications - French paper 2013]

[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1350449515000766 Paper: Design and optimization of GaAs photovoltaic converter for laser power beaming]

[https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7877321 Paper: Photovoltaic laser power converters for wireless optical power supply of sensor systems]

[https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/4752734 Paper: High-Voltage GaAs Photovoltaic Laser Power Converters]

=== Youtube infotainment ===
* electronics: jehugarcia, ElectroBOOM, GreatScott!, EEVBlog, bigclivedotcom, Jeremy Fielding, Fran Blanche, The Hacksmith
* lasers: styropyro, Marco Reps
* robotics: [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmkP178NasnhR3TWQyyP4Gw Metatronics], Adafruit Industries, simone Giertz (relentlessly pursues creativity with fun robots)
* other: Captain Disillusion (awesome entertaining video 3D graphics), Cody'sLab (chemistry), AvE (mechanical engineering (and electronics?)), PhysicsGirl (physics)
* general: The King of Random, TheBackyardScientist, SmarterEveryDay, Veritasium, Vsauce, Adam Savage’s Tested

Off-world Power Generation

2018-12-08T03:13:05Z

Dan: Added name ideas

=== Concept ===

Name ideas: Freespace Division of Miller Power

Given:
* earth to moon: 238,900 miles
* there are [https://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/mission/observatory_l2.html four lagrange points] that provide constant sun exposure at predictable locations
* l1 to earth/moon: 1 million miles
* the sun primarily produces visible light (not microwaves or gamma...)
* laser transmission is more efficient than microwave, except where earth's atmosphere interferes
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-based_solar_power current status]: A Gigawatt-range microwave system would weigh ~80,000 tons (prohibitively expensive) [https://www.energy.gov/articles/space-based-solar-power more] [https://e-reports-ext.llnl.gov/pdf/372187.pdf lots more]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell_efficiency Solar cell efficiency]

Premises:

<Earth> <-microwave-- <Earth-orbit satellite> <-laser-- <Earth's moon> <-laser-- <L1 solar array>
<Earth> <-clearsky-burst-laser-- <Earth's moon> <-laser-- <L1 solar array>
<Earth> <-clearsky-burst-laser-- <L1 solar array>

* <Earth> <- <Earth-orbit satellite>
Laser transmit antenna in space: 1 meter diameter per GW
Receive: Several hundred meters across

* <Earth-orbit satellite> <- <Earth's moon>

* <Earth's moon> <- <Earth-Sol Lagrange-point solar array>

Targeting the energy requirement of NYC:
* Power is measured in Newton-meters per second or Joules per second or Watts.
* ~3000 trillion BTU in 2016 = 3000 trillion btu / 365 days = 3.4E+11 btu/hr = 1.0036680479e+11 watts = 100 GW

PV energy collection
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_photovoltaic_power_stations PV power stations] collect more power than [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_solar_thermal_power_stations solar thermal power stations]. They seem to average ~3 MW/km^2 (throwing out 2 ridiculous outliers).
* Traditional single-junction cells have a maximum theoretical efficiency of 33.16% [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell_efficiency more]. In reality it is around [https://www.solarpowerrocks.com/solar-basics/how-much-electricity-does-a-solar-panel-produce/#top10 18.7%].
* A 65"x39" (1.64 m^2) solar panel made in 2018 [https://www.solarpowerrocks.com/solar-basics/how-much-electricity-does-a-solar-panel-produce/#top10 produces ~320W].
* About 48% of solar energy hitting the Earth reaches the surface. Perhaps optimistic, but we will divide by .48 to get energy-in-space vs on-earth.
* Approximate energy absorbable by a solar panel in space: 320W / 1.64m^2 / .48% = 400W/m^2 in space
* Approximate required size of a solar array "near Earth" (including l1) to power NYC: 100GW / 400W/m^s = 250 sq km
* Dan: 1 out of every 811 humans on earth live in NYC, so 250 sq km dish * 811 (assuming every human uses as much energy as a New Yorker) requires a solar array of only around 200,000 sq km - the size of Nebraska - to power the globe.

=== Conclusion ===

Keep it as simple as possible, but no less.

* We need to optimize free space power transmission in lab conditions using currently-available consumer electronics.
* We need to create a solar panel array with robotics that can self-assemble.
* We need robotics that can precisely and safely aim laser energy to a distant target using a real-time handshaking protocol.
* We need to determine the cheapest possible way to launch a payload from Earth and navigate it to a final stable destination (lagrange or Earth orbit).
* We need to determine the requirements to receive laser power at an Earth-based power plant.
* We need to crowdfund the project.

=== [[Off-world Power Generation Research|Research]] ===

=== [[Off-world Power Generation Prototyping|Prototyping]] ===

=== [[Off-world Power Generation Crowdfunding|Crowdfunding]] ===

Geothermal Steam

2009-04-28T02:01:39Z

Dan:

I woke up this morning with excitement in my veins. It's a chemical thing - I ate the right food yesterday or something - but I was wired to brainstorm. As I assessed my life and where I should go, I confirmed once again that for me, happiness will come from truly making a difference while I'm here on this planet. And the holy grail, once again, is developing abundant clean sustainable renewable power. And the idea came next: tap into geothermal energy deep within the earth's crust, ideally generating steam from water. Drill deep enough, inject water, and receive steam. Tap the steam either below the crust or at the surface. The catch: is "deep enough" too deep?

I called my brother, the jack of all trades, to vet the idea. He knows something about everything. And true to form, he knew something about this idea already. He had seen a documentary on a similar concept that is nearing production in the Australian outback.

== Further research ==
The Australian site is covered briefly here:

* [http://www.smh.com.au/environment/energy-smart/its-the-ultimate-hottie-20081202-6ps6.html Small news blurb about GeoDynamics]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdYMXGtXbEA video]

Alternatively called an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enhanced_geothermal_systems Enhanced geothermal system (EGS)] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_dry_rock_geothermal_energy Hot Dry Rock (HDR)], it is a system where water is injected into hot rocks found a few kilometers below ground. The Wikipedia entry says "this technology has the potential to power the world at little or no cost to the population." Bullseye!

Geothermal energy has been around for a long time. In the US, it was [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Szdx8F_g3Z0 investigated] extensively back in the 1970's at Los Alamos. It has since been researched all over the world. Since the 1970's until recently, funding in the US has been minimal. The enhanced version of geothermal energy, where water is injected into the system, is now causing a lot of buzz. MIT led an interdisciplinary panel that produced [http://geothermal.inel.gov/publications/future_of_geothermal_energy.pdf this substantial report] in 2006. MIT Energy Lab: (617)253-3401. The DOE has now targeted EGS with new funding.

List of resources:

* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enhanced_geothermal_systems EGS] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_dry_rock_geothermal_energy HDR] entries at wikipedia
* [http://geothermal.inel.gov/publications/future_of_geothermal_energy.pdf MIT report] that began the evangelizing of HDR
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6r_3AgI49Y EGS described by MIT professor]
* [http://www1.eere.energy.gov/ba/pba/pdfs/geo_hotdry_rock.pdf information on HDR] from the EERE office
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Szdx8F_g3Z0 Started in 1970's]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EDy6v5q2Io California plant] brought back after being abandoned
* [http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0207/p01s04-stss.html?page=1 2007 funding status] looked bleak with George Bush at the helm, until Senator Harry Reid objected
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjpp2MQffnw Overview] of a (non-HDR) geothermal plant
* [http://www.howtodrillawell.com HowToDrillaWell.com]

== Research funding ==
Since much research has already been done, I will focus on expanding upon it towards achieving the following goals:

* conduct a survey of geothermal resources within 4km of the earth's surface
* include earthquake risk assessment in the survey
* compare benefits and costs of open vs. closed systems
* determine the project size (including number of injection and production wells) that has the maximum benefit/cost ratio
* determine the smallest project size that has a positive benefit/cost ratio (likely one injection and one production well)
* design a 4km well with minimal installation and maintenance costs
* create a working prototype

We're excited to try to get some research funding. I want to keep the research totally open and cooperative. No copyrights, no patents, no marketing. Ideally, the results of any research will be the ability of anyone with enough motivation to tap into this energy source. Opportunities:

* [https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/fastlane.jsp NSF funding]
* Dan suggested [http://www.google.com/ventures/contact.html Google Venture], but [http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/04/04/the-google-ventures-cheat-sheet/ "overriding investment criteria will be ROI"], which may not fit my philanthropic agenda. UPDATE: the more you dig, the more you find - google [http://www.google.org/egs/ already funds it]!

I am going to work on a grant application next.

== Application ==

There is a currently a well-funded comprehensive [http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=nMz5JjQVmy99xTFnL3QzFZM4dCNHhbHTyTrTYJGQkL2JVXQ3pcJr!-802466050?oppId=45677&flag2006=false&mode=VIEW grant opportunity] available! Amazing, the stars are aligned.

[http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/UpdateOffer?id=10838 Here's] the application.

SOE Tips

2007-06-21T15:13:01Z

Dan: /* Web Maintenance */

== Domain Name ==

The domain ****** is currently registered to you.
It is set to expire on August 25, 2006.
Extend this registration and/or make recommendations on how to improve your Google rankings (and other search engines) through registration. Also update your registration information to reflect your address and contact information.

== Recommendations ==

* Domain registration extended for 2 years or more
* Add small amounts of good quality content to your site regularly
* Interesting, quality content (remember, content is king)
* Revised home page to be more all-inclusive with highlighted features that regularly change Links to allow visitors to easily bookmark your pages
* Reciprocal (or non-reciprocal) links with other web sites – build slowly & consistently and use relevant anchor text (the text visible in a link to a web page)
* where possible Proper page titles and descriptions
* Compare competitors site keywords and links
* Consider getting a new domain name that contains your keywords (e.g. www.school-safety.org)
* Produce and distribute press releases
* Updated registration information
* Updated contact information across site
* Target highly relevant keywords and phrases on all pages (focus on 2 & 3 word keyphrases)
* Good representation of target keywords and phrases in the first paragraph of your main body text
* Appropriate keyword density within each web page’s content (aim for 3-5% keyword saturation)
* Add brief keywords to images
* Link images to relevant pages
* File names relevant to their content
* File names relevant to your images
* Once changes are made, give them a month for search engines to pick up, and then tweak.
* Search engine submission and optimization.
* Use pay per click search engines like Overture and others.
* Purchase banner and ad spaces on other websites and newsletters.
* Start an affiliate program ???
* Offering good quality free software is a great way to attract traffic.

Good keywords, titles and page descriptions are critical for ranking high within the search engines

== Web Maintenance ==

If you have maintenance items (price changes, new products, announcements, etc.), I usually charge $95 per hour in 15 minute increments. So, for example, if you sent me monthly updates that are ready to post, it usually runs 15-30 minutes. It really depends on how much stuff there is, how much conversion/editing has to be done (if any) and whether it affects the layout of the page, etc.

== Web Site Ranking and Search Engine Submission ==

Web site ranking and Search Engine Submission is all about having your web site appear near the top of the list when people search for topics. Some search engines require to you to pay for placement. Some require certain information to be properly embedded in your web pages.