>>>SiO2 sprayed on the correct material may make a quick and easy solar panel. I'm going to give it a try.
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>>Not so sure... you need it to be also insulating so it can reflect the heat radiated by the covered body. Sprayed on in such a thin layer I expect its insulation factor to be negligible.
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>You're right, but I was thinking about electicity generating solar panels. Si has an extra electron that it can pass to a complimenting metalic oxide thus creating DC current. A big problem with them is their cost. There is a slight chance that this might work, but it would have to crystalize as I dried. If it does then the price should plummet. ('Should' being the operative word:)

If that works... you could spray metal (electrophoresis?) on anything, then spray silicon over it... and your newspaper becomes a generator. And some wishful thinking may even work, who knows.