I try to stay away from straight reporting of the news here because you all have The Google and are more than capable of browsing the happenings related to OSU. I just couldn’t resist this one, though. We have talked about the transparent transistor technology that was developed at OSU by College of Engineering researchers and the potential for huge breakthroughs in technology because of it.

There is an interesting blurb on Forbes.com about the transparent transistor technology being licensed to a firm in California, Xtreme Energetics. XE believes that they can use the transparent transistor to make solar panels that are twice as efficient and half the cost of traditional solar panels.

From the Forbes report:

HP (NYSE:HPQ) and Xtreme Energetics (XE), a solar energy system developer based in Livermore, Calif., today announced they have entered into an agreement for the development of a solar energy system designed to generate electricity at twice the efficiency and half the cost of traditional solar panels.

Under the technology collaboration and licensing agreement, HP will license its transparent transistor technology to XE in return for royalty payments.

The transparent transistor technology that will be used in XE’s solar energy device was co-developed by HP and Oregon State University.

For those of you who weren’t aware, HP has a large campus here in Corvallis:

View Larger Map

Pretty awesome stuff! Leave your questions and comments below.

-jm

One such student who I met with was Jonnie Motomochi, a twelfth-year student at Sands Secondary School. Jonnie will be attending OSU on a scholarship and playing for the men’s golf team. Another student from Sands Secondary is Chelsea Buckland, though I didn’t have the opportunity to meet with her. She will be suiting up for the women’s soccer team. I remember Jonnie and his parents telling me how much of a sports-centered community Delta, BC is (where the school is located), and I think that’s a pretty accurate statement! Though ‘Home of the Scorpions’ (the school’s mascot), students at Sands seem to be catching a case of Beaver Fever and going orange and black! Here’s a photo of Jonnie and Chelsea in their beaver gear from The Province:

I also met with Keynan Parker from St. Thomas More Collegiate, who will be attending OSU and signed to play for Mike Riley and the Beaver football team. In an article on Scout.com in January, Keynan mentions “I committed to Oregon State. I was thinking about taking a couple more trips, explore my options, but I talked it over with my parents and my Mom asked me what else I was looking for in a school besides Oregon State – because I had a great visit there. I couldn’t think of anything. I liked it so much there – the people, the coaches are so supportive and it was a great atmosphere, so I thought why not? It’s the place for me. You just feel welcome down there.”

Here’s a headshot of Keynan:

Welcome to Beaver Nation, Jonnie, Chelsea, and Keynan! If there are any other students from Canada planning to attend OSU this fall or in the future, please comment below!

–mko