Sun Power

Members of the great German learned society Kaiser Wilhelm Gesallschaft zur Foerderung der Wissenschaften went to the Berlin suburb of Dahlem, walked down Faradayweg to the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Silicate Research. There they heard Professor-Doktor Wilhelm Eitel, physical-chemist, director of the silicate research, speak of "one of the most sensational discoveries of the decade." They surveyed the discovery, a small metal disc which would do what scientists have been predicting and working towards for years --make electricity out of sunlight.

The invention is the work of one of the institute's youngest scientists, 29-year-old Dr. Bruno Lange. His first sun disc, developed several years ago, was copper covered with copper oxide. Lately he has used other metals and oxides, has found some which will develop from sunshine enough current to light an electric bulb, drive a small dynamo. Dr. Lange will not, of course, tell what metals he used.

With larger discs and more work, Dr. Lange hopes to provide enough cheap electricity to run whole towns. So sensitive is his metal that it responds to the diffused light of cloudy days, to invisible infra-red.

Last week despatches stated that Thomas Alva Edison had invited Dr. Lange to come and work with him. Dr. Lange declined.

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