Tucson - Advanced Ceramics Project Produces Electrical Power from Trees

Researcher wants to tap trees for power

By Nicholas Smith, Inside Tucson Business
Published on Friday, May 29, 2009

Developing an energy tree isn’t the first thing that pops into mind of a company that primarily makes aircraft parts.

But for Advanced Ceramics Manufacturing Program Manager Matt Wallen, the focus is on getting power out of a natural solar panel.

His project for the Department of Homeland Security involves finding a way to tap into the energy cottonwood trees gather from the sun.

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“Nobody’s gone directly to the tree to make energy from it,” Wallen said.

Solar panels themselves are the most efficient way of producing energy, especially considering things like at what angle the light hits them.

“The issue is how do you produce enough (solar) panels to have an impact,” he said. “Instead of fabricating panels, why not grow one?”