Hairdressers Fortune

Not only are hairdressers excited, but eco-friendly advocates as well, at the news of the break-through of a new type of solar panel. From diamonds to solar panels, hairdressers may make a lot of money from the byproducts of their hairdressing salons.

The importance of hair technology was demonstrated when it was announced that 10 diamonds would be created from a lock of Michael Jackson's hair.

Now the use of human hair has been taken a further step as Milan Karki, an 18 year old student, from a rural village in Nepal, has produced a new type of renewable energy solar panel using human hair. Most of the people from Milan's village, are illiterate, still living as many of their ancestors did.

Milan says he can create a human hair-based panel, which gives out 8watts of electricity, even though Silicon usually forms the basis of most solar panels. Milan said "If mass produced they could be sold for a quarter of the price of those already on the market. We've already sent a couple of panels to the districts to test for feasibility. The villagers were skeptical at first".
Milan, who attends school in the capital, Kathmandu "I wanted to provide electricity for my home, then my village. Now I am thinking for the whole world".

After reading physicist Stephen Hawking's book on creating static energy from hair, Milan received the inspiration for his invention. Melanin, a pigment that gives hair its colour, is light sensitive and acts as a conductor. Milan and his four classmates initially designed the solar panel as an experiment, but the teens are convinced it has wide use and is commercial viable.

Kariki readilly agrees that hair will degrade much quicker than the more expensive silicon, but people can easily replace the hair themselves, as the solar panels require little or no maintenance. The solar panel can charge a mobile phone or a pack of batteries capable of providing light all evening.

Milan's invention could be a massive break through for developing countries, with the cost of a panel being around $50. "Half a kilo of hair can be purchased for only 16p in Nepal and lasts for a few months, whereas a pack of batteries would cost 50p and last a few nights". Milan said.

Three years after first coming up with the idea, Milan says the idea is more important than ever because of the crucial need for renewable energies in the face of finite power sources and global warming.

###
Dr Wendy Stenberg-Tendys and her husband are CEO's of YouMe Support Foundation (http://youmesupport.org) provide high school education grants for children who are without hope. You can help in this really great project by taking a few minutes to check it the Tropical Island Treasure Chest at Win a Resort (http://winaresort.com) It really will change your life.
Feel free to contact Wendy on admin@youmesupport.org