The all-carbon formula doesn't need to be thickly spread to do its work, and it simply lets visible light through -- it could layer on top of a traditional solar cell to catch many more of the sun's rays.

ENGADGET: All-carbon solar cell draws power from near-infrared light, our energy future is literally that much brighter

He is out to convince big resinmakers like GE and Dow Chemical to let Great Lakes do the dirty work of blending their color, heat and light requirements into one pellet they can then add to polypropylene for car bumpers.

FORBES: Paddling Upstream

And just I have my own little praise party every morning while I'm getting ready and that way I can walk in here and hopefully have the right light, the right energy to inspire everybody else to go out and do the work we have to do.

NPR: 4 min 29 sec