Can CRTs be converted to solar energy converters?

Haha. You haven't got any reply. I will. Pretty good writing. That's all.

Nice idea, armgrafix, for it is not the glass which is hazardous, but the phosphors and other nasties inside, and these should be disposed of whether or not the tube is broken. However, getting the shadow mask out could prove to be a ship-in-a-bottle challenge, but in reverse. Such mighty chunks of glass should be useful for something - let us know what you find.

I recently read an article about a class learning computer skills in Africa. The teacher had a 286, and the children only pictures of keyboards drawn on card - they were to write down the keystrokes they would make.

I see computers in skips (dumpsters) every day, and many of them go abroad to be dumped anyway. Could they not be better re-cycled as working machines?

Written on a ten-year old PC, saved from the dump, and now my window to the world...

Lots of people have tried to come up with a scheme to recycle old computers as working units. The problem is that the price of new technology comes down so fast there's no incentive. RE: recycling of the more environmentally centered type, China has a ravenous apetite for the materials contained in old computers. This is good for us, as they're happy to recycle stuff for free.

I am a little disappointed that we don't have anyone here who could tackle the original question appropriately. I am not an electrical guy, so I really don't know what we are up against to salvage materials and what materials would be needed for the generation of power; however, it is the intent of forums like this one to use a "global team" approach to initiate solutions to these problems. If one of us were to suggest something that might work, that suggestion could be the seed for a PhD thesis and ultimately an actual solution. Now, that would be a thing of beauty. As a ChemE, I believe we could come up with some way to dissolve and remove any material that is needed for re-use, but at what cost? And more importantly, when does the cost equation go out the window and we focus on not destroying the planet? Someone feel free to correct me if I have missed the point. Stephan

In a word no. Unfortunately there are no devices capable of generating current from light in the typical monitor. There are lots of power conversion devices inside that could be used as parts for power supplies, etc. but that would take more work than its worth. Re. the toxic materials, the glass is a hazard as it contains significant amounts of lead to shield the X-rays produced, not to mention the lead in the solder. I like the suggestion about exporting them to less fortunate locales.

Maybe you should take a few more math & science classes before you delve into such issues. I also want to know why I can't build a time machine with used Starbucks cups or why organic free range chickens don't cure AIDS. CRT refuse is an easy problem to solve. Draconian taxes on the purchase of a CRT to dissuade rapid disposal and a large CRT police force to immediately administer the death penalty (with lead free bullets) to anyone caught disposing of CRT's outside of proper recycling channels.