York University - Science Engagement Programs

Edmond Becquerel was a French who studied the solar spectrum, magnetism, electricity and optics. At age 19, experimenting in his father's laboratory. He is credited with the discovery of the photovoltaic effect, the operating principle of the solar cell, in 1839.

The photovoltaic effect is the generation of voltage and electric current in a material when exposed to light. It is a physical and chemical phenomenon.

Jose Hernandez-Rebollar is an and professor from Mexico. He invented an electronic glove, which translates hand movements from the American Sign Language into spoken and written words. His invention has been recognized by the Smithsonian Institution and has attracted media attention.

A sign language electronic glove is intended to translate the motions of sign language into speech in real time. For people in the Deaf community, the sign-language glove is considered more accessible for the hearing world, not the needs of Deaf signers.