Genetically engineered virus M13 by researchers at MIT can help increase the work of solar cells in convert light into electricity. Researchers added microscopic carbon nanotubes to more efficient of electron collection on the surface of solar cells.
According to the researchers, M13 is used to control the composition of nanotubes on the surface. It will maintain a separate tube so that they can not short out the circuit and keep the tubes do not clump. Carbon nanotubes will provide a more direct path to the current collector, helping electrons find their way.
Viruses short proteins or peptides bind tightly to the carbon nanotubes, retaining up to 10 nanotubes in place and keep them separated from each other. Viruses can also be engineered to produce coatings of titanium dioxide (TiO2) which is the main ingredient for dye-sensitized solar cells, over each nanotubes. It would put the titanium dioxide in close proximity to the wire or like nanotubes that carry electrons.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Improve efficiency of solar window panes
Researchers at MIT using a specific chemical formulation which is combined with partial of the infrared-reflective coating to increase the efficiency and level of transparency of a solar window panes. Although still in very early stage, their prototype has achieved 1.7 percent efficiency and its targeted to reach 12 percent efficiency to be able compete with current commercial solar panels.
These findings as well as providing new hope of development of earlier findings which considered less efficient. Photovoltaic cells based on organic molecules allows sunlight through standard window glass panels at the same time utilizing infrared light to be converted into electrical energy for lighting, mobile devices, laptops and other devices. Additionally, it will reduce installation costs by taking advantage of the existing window structure.
This new system has been published in the journal Applied Physics Letters. According to researchers, the transparent photovoltaic system they developed could eliminate many associated costs. The system also has to provide efficiency comparable with non-transparent organic photovoltaic cells are much better than previous versions.
Research sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy is offering a new system installation that could block a lot of the warming effect of sunlight streaming through a window and its also potentially reducing the need for air conditioning in buildings.
Monday, April 18, 2011
43.5 percent solar cell efficiency record with 20 w per chip
A new record for solar cells efficiency has been achieved by the Solar Junction and has been verified by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NRELs) Measurement and Characterization Laboratory. Record of 43.5 percent solar cell efficiency thanks to multijunction cells made of multiple layers of photovoltaic material.
Multijunction solar cells will optimize the conversion of different light spectrum into electrical energy. Multiple layers of photovoltaic layered onto a gallium arsenide substrate to improve the efficiency in converting light into electrical energy.
The use of mirrors to concentrate the sun's rays through the cells size of 5.5 mm square cells. At a concentration of 400 sun has reached values up to 43.5 percent efficiency and maintain the level of up to 1,000 sun.
Multijunction solar cells with concentrated sunlight has long been used in a spacecraft or electricity needs in desert regions. While the company plans to expand production and delivery of commercial cells and hoping for loan guarantees from the Department of Energy.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Improve quantum dot properties to increase solar cells
Steps to be taken by researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, to improve the properties of quantum dots to increase solar cells by doped semiconductor nanocrystal quantum dots. They managed to fix the old ways that lead to adverse effects due to heating at high temperatures. Quantum dots have been resistant to doping because of its small size causes the dirt will be removed.
The researchers used method for a simple room-temperature to dope quantum dots with metal impurities and make it able to control the band gap and Fermi energy, by changing the type and concentration of dopants. This is very helpful to learn a small number of dopants in nanocrystals.
Researchers using the method to make the n-doped and p-doped semiconductor nanocrystals that can increase the usefulness of materials in solar cells, thin-film transistors, and optoelectronic devices. This work might be developed into potential applications with nanocrystals, such as electronic, optical, and alternative energy solutions. Another advantage of doped nanocrystals, such as for the manufacture of new types of nanolasers, solar cells, sensors and transistors.
The researchers hope their discovery could help to make large-scale solar cells covering a wide range spectrum with a cheap and simple way.
The researchers used method for a simple room-temperature to dope quantum dots with metal impurities and make it able to control the band gap and Fermi energy, by changing the type and concentration of dopants. This is very helpful to learn a small number of dopants in nanocrystals.
Researchers using the method to make the n-doped and p-doped semiconductor nanocrystals that can increase the usefulness of materials in solar cells, thin-film transistors, and optoelectronic devices. This work might be developed into potential applications with nanocrystals, such as electronic, optical, and alternative energy solutions. Another advantage of doped nanocrystals, such as for the manufacture of new types of nanolasers, solar cells, sensors and transistors.
The researchers hope their discovery could help to make large-scale solar cells covering a wide range spectrum with a cheap and simple way.