Scientists have beamed solar power back from space, using technology placed in high orbit that allows it to collect the Sun's energy and transmit it to Earth.
The Space Solar Power Demonstrator, a prototype launched into orbit in January, last month beamed detectable power to Earth.
The demonstration by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) uses hardware similar to solar panels and marks significant progress in global efforts to boost energy supply.
Ali Hajimiri, professor of electrical engineering and medical engineering at Caltech, said the experiment was part of the university's Space Solar Power Project.
“Through the experiments we have run so far, we received confirmation that Maple [technology being tested by the demonstrator] can transmit power successfully to receivers in space,” Mr Hajimiri said.
“We have also been able to programme the array to direct its energy towards Earth, which we detected here at Caltech.
“We had, of course, tested it on Earth but now we know that it can survive the trip to space and operate there.”
How it works
Beaming solar power from space means countries could significantly boost energy supply in an economical way.
Sunlight is about 10 times more intense at the top of Earth's atmosphere than at the surface, the European Space Agency has said.
If transmitters are placed in a high enough orbit, they could absorb sunlight on a continuous basis.
The transmitters would then be able to transfer energy to stations across the planet whenever needed.
Maple has an array of flexible lightweight microwave power transmitters that can deliver energy.
“In the same way that the internet democratised access to information, we hope that wireless energy transfer democratises access to energy,” Mr Hajimiri said.
“No energy transmission infrastructure will be needed on the ground to receive this power. That means we can send energy to remote regions and areas devastated by war or natural disaster.”
But for the plan to work, transmitters would need to be weigh less than they do now to reduce the amount of fuel needed to launch them to space.
They also need to be flexible so they can fold up inside a rocket.
The European Space Agency said some challenges still need to be addressed before space-based solar energy projects can create economically viable levels of energy.
“The biggest challenge is that the required structures need to be very large, both on Earth and in space,” the agency said on its website.
“A single solar power satellite at geostationary orbit might extend more than a kilometre across, with the receiver station on the ground needing a footprint more than 10 times larger.”
Other countries have also been working towards creating space-based solar energy.
China has plans to develop a solar power plant in space by 2028.
British firm Space Solar also has plans to create a solar energy station in space, with financial support from Saudi Arabia.
Within six years, Space Solar aims to have a trial project providing six megawatts of power from low Earth orbit, eventually leading to a two-gigawatt power station in high orbit by 2035.
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
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France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
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- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
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Founder: Omar Onsi
Launched: 2018
Employees: 35
Financing stage: Seed round ($12 million)
Investors: B&Y, Phoenician Funds, M1 Group, Shorooq Partners
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Saturday Bournemouth v Leicester City, Chelsea v Manchester City (8.30pm), Huddersfield v Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm), Manchester United v Crystal Palace, Stoke City v Southampton, West Bromwich Albion v Watford, West Ham United v Swansea City
Sunday Arsenal v Brighton (3pm), Everton v Burnley (5.15pm), Newcastle United v Liverpool (6.30pm)
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Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.
Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.
A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.
Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.
The bio
His favourite book - 1984 by George Orwell
His favourite quote - 'If you think education is expensive, try ignorance' by Derek Bok, Former President of Harvard
Favourite place to travel to - Peloponnese, Southern Greece
Favourite movie - The Last Emperor
Favourite personality from history - Alexander the Great
Role Model - My father, Yiannis Davos
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Company Profile
Company name: NutriCal
Started: 2019
Founder: Soniya Ashar
Based: Dubai
Industry: Food Technology
Initial investment: Self-funded undisclosed amount
Future plan: Looking to raise fresh capital and expand in Saudi Arabia
Total Clients: Over 50
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Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
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- 1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior
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Stage 5:
1. Jonas Vingegaard (DEN) Team Jumbo-Visma 04:19:08
2. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 00:00:03
3. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers
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2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers 00:00:45
3. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep 00:01:12
4. Chris Harper (AUS) Team Jumbo-Visma 00:01:54
5. Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo 00:01:56
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Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
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2013: South Korea 0-2 Brazil
2002: South Korea 2-3 Brazil
1999: South Korea 1-0 Brazil
1997: South Korea 1-2 Brazil
1995: South Korea 0-1 Brazil
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Volunteers offer workers a lifeline
Community volunteers have swung into action delivering food packages and toiletries to the men.
When provisions are distributed, the men line up in long queues for packets of rice, flour, sugar, salt, pulses, milk, biscuits, shaving kits, soap and telecom cards.
Volunteers from St Mary’s Catholic Church said some workers came to the church to pray for their families and ask for assistance.
Boxes packed with essential food items were distributed to workers in the Dubai Investments Park and Ras Al Khaimah camps last week. Workers at the Sonapur camp asked for Dh1,600 towards their gas bill.
“Especially in this year of tolerance we consider ourselves privileged to be able to lend a helping hand to our needy brothers in the Actco camp," Father Lennie Connully, parish priest of St Mary’s.
Workers spoke of their helplessness, seeing children’s marriages cancelled because of lack of money going home. Others told of their misery of being unable to return home when a parent died.
“More than daily food, they are worried about not sending money home for their family,” said Kusum Dutta, a volunteer who works with the Indian consulate.
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