Question

【题目】 Scientists in the U.S. have created an artificial sunflower less than 0. 04 inches wide that can bend towards a light source and harvest solar energy. The flowers were found to be about 400 percent more efficient than other equipment, making them promising technology for solar power potentially even as a power source for solar-based spaceships.

The team, led by researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, was looking to improve. the efficiency of solar cells by modeling after a feature of nature-phototropism. This is where a plant adjusts itself to face the sun, getting the most amount of energy it can get. In a study published in Nature Nanotechnology, the team said it was a 'big challenge'.

However, this problem has now been overcome. The team has developed a polymer(聚合物) that is responsive to being simulated by light, The system, which they have named SunBOT for short, is able to instantly explore and track a light source. It can do this across a range of temperatures without power supply or any human intervention.

The researchers used the polymer to create a 'stem'. Then they placed a material commonly used in solar cells on its top, representing the 'flower'. When the team shone a light at the SunBOTs, the polymer began heating up and shrinking, causing the stem to bend so the flower faced the light.

The researchers tested their artificial sunflowers to see how efficient they were at harvesting solar energy Findings showed they were up to 400 percent more effective than non-phototrophic materials.

The practical applications of SunBOTs are some way off. The study shows a proof of concept, but the technology will need to be scaled up to be used commercially. However, the team is confident it could one day be used a across a broad range of industries.

This work may be useful for solar harvesters signal revere smart windows, self-contained robotics solar sails for spaceships and intelligent energy generation (for example, solar cells and biofuels), the scientific team said.

【1】Why do the scientists create the artificial sunflower?

A.To prevent pollution.B.To protect sunflowers.

C.To reuse green energy.D.To warn us of the energy crisis.

【2】What can we learn about SunBOTs?

A.SunBOTs are likely to be too limited in future use.

B.There is some time before SunBOTs are put into markets.

C.Scientists are still not sure of the function of SunBOTs.

D.SunBOTts are not efficient, though advanced, in collecting energy.

【3】Where can we read such a text?

A.In an education report.B.In a market report.

C.In an experiment report.D.In a science report.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】C

【2】B

【3】D

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。本文主要介绍了一种可以收集太阳能，然后将收集的能量供其他设备使用的人造向日葵，包括它的工作原理、目前的问题等。

【1】

推理判断题。根据第一段The flowers were found to be about 400 percent more efficient than other equipment, making them promising technology for solar power potentially even as a power source for solar-based spaceships. (这些花被发现比其他设备的效率高出400%，这使得它们成为使用太阳能的一项很有前景的技术，甚至可以作为太阳能飞船的动力)可推测，科学家发明人造向日葵的目的是为了重复、高效地利用太阳能。C. To reuse green energy.(重复使用绿色能源)符合以上说法，故选C项。

【2】

推理判断题。根据倒数第二段的The study shows a proof of concept, but the technology will need to be scaled up to be used commercially. However, the team is confident it could one day be used a across a broad range of industries.(这项研究证明了这个概念，但是这项技术还需要扩大规模才能投入商业使用。然而，该团队相信，该技术有一天会在广泛的行业中得到应用。)可推测，SunBOT还要一段时间才能上市。 B. There is some time before SunBOTs are put into markets.( SunBOT离上市还有一段时间)符合以上说法，故选B项。

【3】

推理判断题。根据文章的主要内容，尤其是第一段的Scientists in the U.S. have created an artificial sunflower less than 0. 04 inches wide that can bend towards a light source and harvest solar energy. (美国科学家发明了一种不足4英寸的人造向日葵，这种人造向日葵可以弯向光源并收集太阳能)可知，本文主要介绍了一种可以收集太阳能，然后将收集的能量供其他设备使用的人造向日葵。这是一项科学发明，由此推测，我们很有可能在一篇科学报道上看到这篇文章。D. In a science report.(在一个科学报道上)符合以上说法，故选D项。