In Solar Cells, Tweaking the Tiniest of Parts Yields Big Jump in Efficiency

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.buffalo.edu/news/13138

[font face=Times,Times New Roman,Serif][font size=5]In Solar Cells, Tweaking the Tiniest of Parts Yields Big Jump in Efficiency[/font]
[font size=4]Company led by university researchers employs charged quantum dots to increase the efficiency of solar cell technology[/font]
Release Date: January 20, 2012

[font size=3]Summary:

-- Researchers from the University at Buffalo, Army Research Laboratory and Air Force Office of Scientific Research have developed a new, nanomaterials-based technology that has the potential to increase the efficiency of photovoltaic cells up to 45 percent.

-- Specifically, the researchers have shown that embedding charged quantum dots into solar cells can improve electrical output by enabling the cells to harvest infrared light, and by increasing the lifetime of photoelectrons. The technology can be applied to many different photovoltaic structures.

-- A new company the researchers founded, OPtoElectronic Nanodevices LLC. (OPEN LLC), is commercializing this technology.

…

The technology has the potential to increase the efficiency of solar cells up to 45 percent, said Mitin, a SUNY Distinguished Professor. Through UB's Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach (STOR), he and his colleagues have filed provisional patent applications to protect their technology.

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[madokie]

1. Its always good to read about technical advances that ultimately will help to get us

off the nuclear and coal boondoggle