New solar cell material achieves almost 100% efficiency, could solve world-wide energy problems
| October 28, 2008 |  View for printing |
Researchers at Ohio State University have accidentally discovered a new solar cell material capable of absorbing all of the sun's visible light energy. The material is comprised of a hybrid of plastics, molybdenum and titanium. The team discovered it not only fluoresces (as most solar cells do), but also phosphoresces.
Electrons in a phosphorescent state remain at a place where they can be "siphoned off" as electricity over 7 million times longer than those generated in a fluorescent state. This combination of materials also utilizes the entire visible spectrum of light energy, translating into a theoretical potential of almost 100% efficiency. Commercial products are still years away, but this foundational work may well pave the way for a truly renewable form of clean, global energy.
Trendwatch By Rick C. Hodgin
Full Story: http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/39807/113/
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(Many thanks to Stephen Corrick at Magnificent Montana http://www.matr.net/click.php?id=&ur ... price.shtml for passing this along. Russ)
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