Thomas Alva Edison (1847–1931) was one of the most influential inventors in history, with over 1,000 patents to his name. Known as the "Wizard of Menlo Park," Edison’s groundbreaking work transformed industries and everyday life.

Edison is best known for inventing the practical incandescent light bulb, which brought affordable lighting to homes and businesses. Beyond this, he developed the phonograph and the motion picture camera, laying the foundation for modern audio-visual entertainment. Edison's creation of the first industrial research laboratory revolutionized the innovation process by fostering teamwork and systematic experimentation. His contributions to electrical power systems and the establishment of the first power grid also played a critical role in shaping the modern world.

The photoelectric effect is a physical phenomenon in which light strikes a metal or semiconductor surface and electrons are released from it. This principle forms the basis of modern solar technology.

The effect was discovered by Heinrich Hertz in 1887 and later theorised by Albert Einstein, which earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics. In the photoelectric effect, light quanta (photons) are absorbed by the surface of a material. If the energy of the photons is high enough, they release electrons from the material. This principle is used in solar cells to convert sunlight into electrical energy. The photoelectric effect has revolutionised the development of technologies such as photovoltaics and light-sensitive sensors and is a milestone in research into renewable energies.

Biomass is a versatile and renewable energy source that is obtained from organic material such as plants, wood and biological waste. It is one of the oldest forms of energy known to mankind and today plays a central role in sustainable energy production.

Biomass is used to generate heat, electricity and biofuels. It is produced by converting solar energy into plant growth, whereby this stored energy is released through combustion, fermentation or gasification. Typical examples are the combustion of wood pellets, the production of biogas from liquid manure or the production of bioethanol from maize. Biomass is considered CO₂-neutral, as its utilisation only releases as much carbon dioxide as the plants have previously absorbed from the atmosphere. However, responsible resource management is crucial to ensure its sustainability.