'Ultra capacitor' takes Crazy Green Idea prize

A proposed quest to develop an “ultra capacitor,” a new energy storage medium, has won two students from the University of California-Irvine the X PRIZE Foundation’s $25,000 (US) “What’s Your Crazy Green Idea” prize.

The proposal by Kyle Good and Bryan Le earned them the highest number of votes among three finalists put up for public voting on YouTube.

“I’ve always admired the X PRIZE Foundation and the way they’ve tackled some of humanity’s biggest challenges,” said Le. “I’m looking forward to seeing how our idea develops into an Energy and Environment X PRIZE.”

Le, who learned of the competition while browsing the Web for online contests, and Good drew inspiration for their idea (with the help of a professor, Diego Rosso) from their constant frustration with charging and tossing away batteries.

“We were all impressed by the sheer number of ideas submitted and their level of sophistication,” said Peter H. Diamandis, Chairman and CEO of the X Prize Foundation. “It truly demonstrates how important this issue is to the public at large. Energy and the environment are areas of critical importance to us.”

Indeed. Now that we have the idea for an ultra capacitor, isn’t it now time for a new prize for someone who can go out and develop one?