CleanTech OC Daily - 12/28/12

A Wireless Car Charger for the Chevrolet Volt
Momentum Dynamics Corporation, who has a safe all-weather wireless charging technology, announced that it was able to successfully charge a Chevy Volt. As for charge time, that is limited by the battery’s current handling capacity and the power the charge can provide. Aside from implementation in parking lots at office buildings, the product could also be used as a range extender and could be placed along roads or at stoplights.

Stanford Develops Peel-and-Stick Solar Cells
Imagine a solar cell resembling the application similar to temporary tattoos - that is what researchers at Stanford University have developed. The thin-film solar cell can be applied to surfaces like a sticker or decal, opening up a wide variety of surfaces that could generate electricity.

Five Emerging Technology Companies To Watch In 2013
Earth Techling has narrowed down the recent list from Lux Research to five emerging technology companies to watch in 2013:

Beta Renewables (Italy) – makes non-food cellulosic biomass practical and cost-effective for the production of advanced biofuels and biochemicals. This European startup could do wonders for the cellulosic ethanol industry’s rapidly declining image, but only if it can make it to market on time and under budget.

Imprint Energy (USA) – This company says its Zinc Poly battery technology removes longstanding limitations on the rechargeability of zinc-based batteries. It also enables the production of ultrathin, flexible, high energy density rechargeable batteries for significantly lower cost and without the design limitations or safety concerns of other battery technologies.

Azzurro Semiconductors (Germany) – Offering next generation epitaxial wafers for super-efficient LED and power semiconductor applications. Compared to current generation wafers the use of Azzurro’s large diameter GaN-on-Si-wafers allows the industry to facilitate standard semiconductor production sites at a fraction of the normal cost.

Silevo (USA) - By utilizing electroplated copper contacts and a thin amorphous silicon layer on its crystalline silicon solar cells, Silevo has a module efficiency of 18.4 percent, with plans for even higher efficiency while remaining cost-competitive.

Desalitech (Israel) – Makers of water production and treatment technologies that reduce water treatment costs by up to 20 percent while delivering superior performance compared to state-of-the-art conventional reverse osmosis processes. This pick is what Lux calls a “wait and see” since a second round funding effort in 2013 is needed for the company to be profitable.