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ViciousNakedMoleRat t1_izdwt6k wrote

I don't quite see the benefit. They make it sound like it only requires sunlight and therefore reduces electricity costs, but that isn't the case.

>The Saudi innovation uses the polarisation of sunlight to transfer data by using smart glass elements known as dual-cell liquid crystal shutters (DLS).

The system still requires a modem and router, it just replaces the sending antenna with smart glass. I'm not sure what they use as the receiving antenna, since smart glass can't be used for that purpose.

Smart glass currently requires around 5 watts per square meter / 10 square foot. For it to cover several rooms or large areas, there would have to be many smart windows.

The WiFi antenna of a standard fiber router requires about 5 watts.

So, a normal WiFi router uses less electricity and doesn't require line of sight to the antenna. It also doesn't require a separate method to receive data from the device.

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Deyln t1_izenr5p wrote

Don't forget that wireless is one of the useful ones which separating data traffic is of use. Offload from the net at no extra cost as opposed to charging for the service.

This would allow for different bandwidths and some usage of mesh webs from Windows to Windows down the street.

Which in turn can be used for security. Your window notices a void on transmission and pings your community video camera to focus on that genre area and to store some video. (Been a few years since I last saw an update on this one making it outside the lab.)

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CelticGaelic t1_izia1ph wrote

It seems to me this will also bring other meanings to the ever notorious phrase "Windows has stopped working"

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Deyln t1_izl0pdq wrote

Yep. I was thinking more that it'd allow for a better/multiple viewing angles for porch pirates.

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randommouse t1_izebtya wrote

That title is terrible. You can't just convert energy into an internet connection. "Let me turn on my generator and create an internet"

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FearlessDoodle t1_izej2i2 wrote

Maybe read the article. It isn’t just converting sunlight to energy.

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randommouse t1_izenkdw wrote

Maybe read my post because I said the title is terrible, not the article.

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Ratdrake t1_izdree1 wrote

Because nobody is in the office after sunset? Or browse the internet at night?

The concept is interesting but in practice, an internet signal is needed after sunset. I think we're better off sticking to converting sunlight to electricity.

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Pure_Amoeba_5870 t1_izebb8y wrote

I imagine being on the internet after hours is a sin or whatever, because religion.

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A1CST t1_izdsbqj wrote

Did you forget batteries are a thing mate? You know for storing power when the sun goes to sleep?

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meshuggahofwallst t1_izdso2q wrote

You can't store sunlight directly though. You need to convert it into electricity first.

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[deleted] t1_izdsjsc wrote

[removed]

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Ratdrake t1_izeltr5 wrote

I wasn't aware that batteries also stored internet signals.

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Edwardc4gg t1_izf2rka wrote

they burn more electricity to do nothing, it's not a 'wireless internet'. ughhh this article is shit.

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Mephzice t1_izfbexu wrote

Completely useless in Iceland, now do the same to darkness chop chop

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FuturologyBot t1_izdt6lq wrote

The following submission statement was provided by /u/mancinedinburgh:

Windows as modems? Swiss scientists recently announced they had created windows that convert sunlight directly into electricity. This seems to be in a similar vein, whereby polarisation of sunlight is converted into binary code used to send signals to devices in a particular room. Goodbye router boxes? Perhaps. It sounds cool though to me that wireless Internet could be provided to entire offices or homes through adapted glass windows.

Please reply to OP's comment here: https://old.reddit.com/r/Futurology/comments/zfv7v7/scientists_design_windows_that_convert_sunlight/izdqusi/

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fredsam25 t1_izdunvf wrote

See through solar panels? This is just click bait. Scientists find way to convert coal into wireless internet by burning it!

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LovesGettingRandomPm t1_izeabc0 wrote

I like that they support technology that doesn't look like it will be practical but at least talk about how it can be useful in the future, who likes internet that turns off when the sun goes down, ppl on the south pole?

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graypsofrad t1_izfgxc6 wrote

The article cookie requirements are too invasive. I gave it a pass.

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Orc_ t1_izha9ih wrote

solar freaking roadways? no, Solar freaking internet!!!

1

medium0rare t1_izhhsj9 wrote

Access point - $200

This magical window - probably thousands

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Flaky-Fish6922 t1_izibun8 wrote

next the windows will invent WinPorn.... the most frequented sunshine website.

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mbrothers222 t1_ize37oc wrote

They should invent trees which convert solar radiation to internet. Then we have a chance at protecting the green around us

0

mancinedinburgh OP t1_izdqusi wrote

Windows as modems? Swiss scientists recently announced they had created windows that convert sunlight directly into electricity. This seems to be in a similar vein, whereby polarisation of sunlight is converted into binary code used to send signals to devices in a particular room. Goodbye router boxes? Perhaps. It sounds cool though to me that wireless Internet could be provided to entire offices or homes through adapted glass windows.

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nospamkhanman t1_izeucli wrote

> sounds cool though to me that wireless Internet could be provided to entire offices or homes through adapted glass windows.

For one, night exists.

The other thing is, it's probably more efficient for the windows to just convert the solar energy directly to electricity and power tiny wireless access points.

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Flaky-Fish6922 t1_iziccn6 wrote

or if for some reason you're really hellbent on using light as a medium for transmission, an infrared system. feels a lot like they has a solution and went looking for a problem.

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WimbleWimble t1_izee1x4 wrote

Saudi Arabia: omg! they're reducing reliance on oil...quick...make up some shit to trick a bunch of idiots out of their investment money....

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