1. I recently read that photons can be stored in a similar way that electrons are stored for memory in computers - speculating solar operated computer systems operating completely without electricity.
2. If photons can be stored in this way, they should also be able to create a large capacity solar battery that can release stored photons as needed.
3. The big question is - has anyone been experimenting with motors that run directly from solar/photons?
There have been some mechanical experiments, I'm not sure of the advantages in storing photons vs electrical energy derived from photons for energy purposes, especially if the photons were to be converted to electric uses later.
Mechanically, from an efficiency standpoint, I suppose there could be an advantage in that conversion losses would be limited to photon->mechanical-force, a more direct conversion.
I found some nano-scale stuff:
http://www.chemistry-blog.com/2008/07/01/light-powered-motor/
http://www.physorg.com/news64081416.html
Most of the photon-storage hits seem to be more in the area of information-storage, however:
http://www.webpronews.com/blogtalk/2007/01/23/highcapacity-photon-storage
http://scitation.aip.org/getabs/servlet/GetabsServlet?prog=normal&id=JAPIAU000104000006063515000001&idtype=cvips&gifs=yes&ref=no
Do you have any links that would suggest a more 'macro' oriented scale of utilization?
Or am I getting off track here?
I am definitely looking for something macro in size and power, even if it's an integrated web of micro motors that retract like muscle or something.
My point is that if solar can be used to store data, make light, make heat and operate motors, there may really be no need to convert to electricity. Or even use electricity.
I am at a loss as to how one would actually 'contain' photons for future use, given that they exhibit both particle and wave characteristics and only manifest as light while traveling at 300K km/sec.
Beyond me, I'm afraid.