Smart Paint

http://www.architectmagazine.com/industry-news.asp?sectionID=1006&articleID=905055

Nanosolar is perfecting a photovoltaic paint—a finish coating that converts sunlight into energy. Already an industry leader in thin-film solar cells, the company now uses microscopic semiconductors to create a paintable PV ink that can be spread like butter on bread. Soon any surface exposed to the sun—on buildings, bridges, even cars—can become a source of energy. By replacing inefficient and costly silicon-based panels—those awkward icons of ’70s-era energy conservation—photovoltaic paint promises to transform cumbersome technology into something literally skin-deep.