AuREUS, developed by Carvey Ehren Maigue, converts food waste into electricity by utilizing luminescent particles extracted from fruit and vegetable waste. These particles absorb ultraviolet (UV) light and convert it into visible light, which is then captured by solar cells integrated into the material, producing electricity. This innovative approach allows for electricity generation even in indirect sunlight, making it suitable for cloudy areas and urban environments.
What is AuREUS Technology for Electricity?
AuREUS (Aurora Renewable Energy and UV Sequestration) is an innovative solar technology that converts ultraviolet (UV) light into electricity, even in the absence of direct sunlight. Developed by Filipino engineer Carvey Ehren Maigue, AuREUS leverages recycled food waste by extracting luminescent particles from discarded fruits and vegetables. These special particles are embedded into a resin, forming translucent panels that absorb UV rays and re-emit them as visible light. This visible light is then guided to photovoltaic cells along the panel edges, where it is converted into usable electricity.
How Does AuREUS Work?
UV Absorption: The panels use organic luminescent compounds derived from crop waste to absorb UV radiation, which penetrates through clouds and indirect light.
Re-Emission: The absorbed energy is re-emitted as visible light within the panel.
Electricity Generation: This visible light travels to the edges, where standard solar PV cells capture and convert it to direct-current (DC) electricity.
Versatile Installation: Panels can be installed on windows, walls, and other vertical or irregular surfaces, making them especially useful in urban environments where roof space is limited.
Key Benefits and Features: Works in Cloudy and Low-Light Conditions. Unlike traditional silicon solar panels, AuREUS continues to generate power even on overcast days by capturing UV rays, which are less affected by cloud cover.
Reduces Food Waste: Uses recycled plant waste, turning an agricultural byproduct into sustainable energy.
Flexible Application: Can be integrated into windows, building facades, and even clothing, broadening the scope for solar energy
harvesting.
Increased Utilization Time: Can generate power about 50% of daylight
hours—compared to 15–22% for conventional solar panels (which rely mostly on
direct sunlight).
Closed-loop Design: Helps build a circular economy by turning
agricultural waste into high-value renewable energy products.
Current
Limitations and Status Prototype Stage: AuREUS is still primarily in prototype
and pilot phases, with installations to date limited to small demonstration
projects—a notable example being a 3×2 ft panel powering devices in the
inventor's residence.
Efficiency: While it excels in capturing scattered and
diffuse UV, AuREUS panels currently have lower overall conversion efficiency
when compared to top-tier silicon solar panels, but ongoing research aims to
improve this.
Scalability and Commercialization: Real-world, large-scale
deployments remain limited as of 2025; further scaling, integration, and cost
reductions are necessary for widespread adoption.
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| Aureus Technology |
Applications and Future
Potential AuREUS technology could transform urban solar generation by allowing
building windows and vertical surfaces to serve as energy-producing components,
especially in regions with frequent cloud cover. Its use of food waste and
flexibility makes it well-suited to sustainable city design and can potentially
provide new revenue streams for farmers. In summary, AuREUS technology offers a
novel, sustainable approach to generating electricity by turning UV
rays—especially those missed by conventional panels—into clean energy, while
also repurposing agricultural waste and broadening the possibilities for solar
applications in everyday environments.
How Aureus technology convert food into
energy AuREUS technology does not directly convert food into energy for human
consumption. Instead, it uses food waste (like discarded fruit and vegetables)
as a key material in the production of innovative solar panels that generate
electricity.
How Does AuREUS Convert Food Waste into Electricity?
1. Extraction
of Luminescent Particles: Certain fruits and vegetables contain natural
luminescent compounds—these are molecules that absorb ultraviolet (UV) light and
re-emit it as visible light. Food waste is processed to extract these
luminescent particles.
2. Embedding into Resin Panels: The extracted particles
are then embedded or suspended in a transparent resin, creating a special panel.
3. UV to Visible Light Conversion: When sunlight (including UV rays) strikes
these panels, the luminescent particles inside absorb the UV light. They then
re-emit this energy as visible light, which travels through the resin towards
the edges of the panel.
4. Electricity Generation: The edges of the resin panels
are lined with photovoltaic (PV) cells—the same kind of cells used in ordinary
solar panels. The visible light emitted by the luminescent particles is captured
by these PV cells, which convert it into electricity.
5. Utilization: The
generated electricity can be used immediately, stored in batteries, or directed
into the power grid—just like with conventional solar technology.
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| Generates Electricity from Food waste |
Reduces Food
Waste: By upcycling waste from crops and damaged produce, AuREUS provides a new
use for food that would otherwise be discarded.
Energy from Indirect Sunlight:
The panels work even in cloudy conditions and with indirect sunlight, making
them more versatile than typical solar panels. New Income Sources: Farmers can
sell waste crops for panel production, helping their livelihoods while tackling
two major global issues: food waste and renewable energy access.
How electricity is formed from waste...
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