Friday, March 4, 2016

Dr. Maria Telkes invention of Residential Solar Heating

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Dr. Maria Telkes invention of Residential Solar Heating

There are some inventions that were able to bring about a great revolution in the world of Science and technology. The Residential solar heating system is one of the most useful systems invented by a woman which is now being extensively used. Maria Telkes, a famous physical chemist and biophysicist, invented Residential Solar Heating. She also invented many patented solar power devices which include solar water distilling system that makes seawater portable, solar ovens and devices. She was called as “Sun Queen” for her immense contribution to solar energy space.

Maria Telkes and Solar energy research

Maria Telkes was born in Budapest, Hungary in the year 1900 to Aladar Telkes and Maria Laban de Telkes. She did her B.A., in Budapest University followed by a Ph.D in the year 1924. After paying visit to a relative in Cleveland, she decided to migrate to the United States and in 1925 she joined Cleveland Clinic Foundation as biophysicist where she worked under George Washington Crile on photo electric device for recording brain waves. Later she joined the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as Associate Research Professor in metallurgy field and this is when she started paying attention to solar energy research.

First residential solar heating system

In the year 1948, Maria Telkes worked along with architect Eleanor Raymond to design and construct the first ever modern home with solar energy heating system. Built in Dover, Massachusetts, the house is functional even today. Amelia Peabody a well-known sculptor is the one who sponsored the project to bring out the use of solar power. The working mechanism of the heating system is simple yet highly efficient.

How it works?

The heating system was designed to absorb and retain the solar energy through the chemical process of crystallization of sodium sulphate solution or Glauber’s salts. The heat is then distributed evenly through the rooms of the house with the help of a fan. The model includes boxes to collect solar energy from sunlight which is used to warm up the air in compartment found between the black metal sheet and double glass layer. The warm air is passed to the walls which transfers the heat to the Glauber’s salt and is stored there to be used later.

Maria Telkes is known for her extensive research and contribution to solar thermal storage system. All of her models and devices are highly popular and has helped transforming the solar energy field

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