Nature
This plant inspired self-cleaning solar panels
A. Cactus
B. Lotus leaf
C. Bamboo
Lotus leaf
Why are anti-reflective coatings added to solar panels?
A. To cool the panel
B. To let more light enter the solar cell
C. To make the panel waterproof
To let more light enter the solar cell
What does SMA stand for?
A. Smart Metal Array
B. Shape Memory Alloy
C. Solar Motion Actuator
Shape Memory Alloy
Which of these is NOT autonomous?
A. Self-cleaning coating
B. Motorized solar tracking
C. Shape-memory adaptation
Motorized solar tracking
Which natural structure inspired anti-reflective coatings?
A. Butterfly wings
B. Moth eyes
C. Fish scales
Moth eyes
Indoor photovoltaic cells benefit from anti-reflective coatings because they...
A. Generate heat
B. Capture more photons from indoor lighting
C. Produce electricity at night
Capture more photons from indoor lighting
When heated, an SMA returns to...
A. A random shape
B. Its remembered shape
C. A liquid state
Its remembered shape
A researcher wants a solar panel that stays clean without electricity or wiping. Which surface should they choose?
A. Hydrophilic
B. Smooth glass
C. Superhydrophobic
Superhydrophobic
The lotus effect mainly helps solar panels by...
A. Producing more electricity directly
B. Removing dust with rolling water droplets
C. Cooling the panel
Removing dust with rolling water droplets
Which surface property allows water droplets to roll off and remove dirt?
A. Hydrophilic
B. Sticky
C. Superhydrophobic
Superhydrophobic
Which energy harvester mainly benefits from self-healing coatings?
A. Solar panels
B. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs)
C. Wind turbines
Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs)
Dust reduces solar panel performance mainly because it...
A. Changes the semiconductor
B. Blocks incoming light
C. Makes electricity flow faster
Blocks incoming light
What makes the lotus leaf so water repellent?
A. High electrical conductivity
B. Micro/nano-scale rough surface + low surface energy
C. Strong magnetic properties
Micro/nano-scale rough surface + low surface energy
What is the main advantage of passive sun tracking using Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs)?
A. Requires electric motors
B. No external power is needed
C. Works only indoors
No external power is needed
Why are self-healing coatings useful for TENGs?
A. They make them heavier.
B. They increase temperature.
C. They repair micro-cracks and restore electrical output.
They repair micro-cracks and restore electrical output.
Which pair is correctly matched?
A. Lotus leaf → Anti-reflection
B. Moth eye → Self-healing
C. Lotus leaf → Self-cleaning
Lotus leaf → Self-cleaning
According to the lecture, what reduces contact between water and the surface?
A. A perfectly smooth surface
B. Air pockets trapped beneath the droplet
C. A thicker glass layer
Air pockets trapped beneath the droplet
A graded refractive index coating mainly reduces reflection by...
A. Increasing panel thickness
B. Changing panel color
C. Smoothing the refractive index transition so reflected light cancels out
Smoothing the refractive index transition so reflected light cancels out
According to the lecture, self-healing TENGs can recover approximately:
A. 50%
B. 75%
C. 95% of their output voltage
95% of their output voltage
Which combination would maximize a solar panel's performance according to the lecture?
A. Motorized tracking + thicker glass
B. Anti-reflective coating + self-cleaning surface + passive SMA tracking
C. Black paint + fan cooling
Anti-reflective coating + self-cleaning surface + passive SMA tracking