Linking Trees’ Fibonacci Sequence to Solar Power Wins Student A Young Naturalist Award

Antonio W. -- Recently, a thirteen-year-old named Aiden used the famous Fibonacci Sequence of adding the previous two digits together, which can go on forever(0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8). He noticed that Oak trees, using a very similar method in the angles of the branches, had enough sunlight to spare for each leaf. After testing the angles with a protractor, he made his first prototype out of PVC pipe branches and PV solar panel leaves. The tests were conducted during winter and compared to other, normal solar panels at the same time. The leaflet solar panel design was more efficient by about 50%, as there were not many shadows cast on the leaves below, and they didn't have to turn towards the sun. He wrote an essay called The Secret of Fibonacci Sequence in Trees, which officially won the Young Naturalist Award. Aiden is currently working on finding out if there are other trees that are more efficient, hoping that Mother Nature found a solution.

            This shows that inspiration truly can come from anything to anyone. It also proves, as previously stated, that Mother Nature usually has the best answer. For instance, Velcro was inspired by burrs sticking to clothing and dog's fur. The simplest things we see every day can help more and more as we progress technologically. What we take for granted has more thought to it than we may think. Even though, admittedly, what came out wasn't strictly thought up by anything in particular. As Human Beings grow as a society, we must remember our roots, or we will forget what path is a smart path.


Link:  Linking Trees' Fibonacci Sequence to Solar Power Wins Student a Young Naturalist Award