It’s all about the money. Why seemingly great technological solutions can sometimes fail

Image caption: The right stuff Flat-panel solar cells are not as efficient as solar concentrator photovoltaics (CPVs) but they have won out by being cheap, easy to maintain and having lots of applications. Image courtesy: Shutterstock / ingehogenbijl. Article by James McKenzie. Physics World – February 06, 2023.

Why do some technologies succeed and others fail? Sometimes it’s all down to economics, says James McKenzie

When I was younger, I used to believe that science alone could solve any technological challenge – and that whatever solution was technically the best would win out. It was only after spending a few years in industry that I came to realize how economics, market forces and competition play equally important (and sometimes bigger) roles. A technological solution that might seem excellent on paper can, I learned, be dragged down by practical difficulties and poor timing. […]

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