4 ms·
I like this. Imagine if you took something like this to the desert, you could have the means to convert sand into silicon without needing to use a locally-sourc
by ZenoArrow 10y ago
I like this. Imagine if you took something like this to the desert, you could have the means to convert sand into silicon without needing to use a locally-sourced fuel to generate the required heat (For what it's worth, I realise the sand that goes into silicon wafer production usually has to be purer than commonly-found sand, but I still think this production method may prove useful, perhaps for the silicon that goes into solar panels).
- silicon123 10y agoyou would still need carbon for reducing the silicon dioxide into silicon
- Frenchgeek 10y agoBurn magnesium in carbon dioxyde captured from the air then electrolyse the magnesium oxyde to get useable magnesium back?
- adrianN 10y agoPlant some trees, make charcoal?
- Frenchgeek 10y agoA bit difficult to do if we're in a desert, I think...
- moontear 10y agoYou mean like this? https://vimeo.com/25401444 https://vimeo.com/25401444 It's an artist's project but he IS melting sand.
- semi-extrinsic 10y agoSolar panel silicon purity is above 99.98%, and often significantly closer to 100%. Here's a study on "how impure silicon can we use for solar panels", and they only go up to 100 ppm feedstock impurity: https://www.ecn.nl/news/item/how-silicon-purity-affects-the-performance-of-solar-cells/ https://www.ecn.nl/news/item/how-silicon-purity-affects-the-... Edit: should be "above 99.998%".
- JoelBennett 10y agoWould bricks or roads created from melted sand be stable enough? This is something I've thought about as well. There are parts of the world that have lots of sunlight and lots of sand. Imagine being able to 3D print roads and buildings out of melted sand. I think the idea has some merit that needs further exploration.