Technologies for sustainable future

MUCH of the Earth’s natural resources are rapidly depleting at the hands of humans. Soon, we will be without many of the resources on which we rely heavily today.

To counter this, scientists and engineers across the globe have been developing technologies to make use of non- exhaustible resources and turn them into energy.

Here are some of the latest technologies that are or will be available for use in the near future.

The Ford C- Max Solar Energi Concept car is an electric car that runs on electricity generated by solar panels.

Its roof is mounted with a solar panel array that collects energy from the sun that powers the car’s 7.6kWh lithium- ion battery pack.

Ford claims that on a full charge, the C- Max Solar Energi can travel 34km on electricity alone.

The solar panels on the car are equipped with solar concentrator and sun- tracking technology, which allows the panels to absorb more energy.

Like every other electric car, the C- Max Solar Energi can be charged at electric vehicle charging stations.

If the car runs out of electricity, the solar panels will come in handy as drivers can leave the car to charge under the sunlight while they go dine or watch a movie.

Once home, the car is designed to be parked under specially designed “concentrators” that act like a magnifying glass, concentrating sunlight onto the solar panels to speed up the charging process.

The car is expected to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and, of course, reduce the consumption of depleting fossil fuels. The Ford C- Max Solar Energi is anticipated to be on sale within the next two years.