A team of MIT students has invented an extremely strong solar thermal system that they plan to be able to sell for $5k, a price that allows it to recoup its value in two years or less.

The students are using the same standard materials that science teachers use for solar oven assignments -- glass and aluminum. But the MIT project uses curved mirrors to concentrate solar energy on a tube of water housed in an aluminum casing. The water heats instantly, and creates steam so hot it can melt steel. The students say that the steam can be put to a variety of uses -- as an electricity source, for heating, cooling, industrial and more. The system is one thousand times more effective than standard panels.

I can just imagine how the conversations will go back at school. “So, Matt, what did you do over summer break?” Matt: “Oh, the guys and I invented a thermal solar system that will revolutionize the market and do a lot to save the world. We lined up some venture capital, created a supply chain and sold one just last night. What about you?”