Solar cell material achieves almost 100% efficiency, could solve worldwide energy

ThinkPad · 2008-10-26T16:44:34+00:00

Columbus (OH) - 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. A complete study of the team's work appears in the current issue of "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences" (PNAS).

Thread starter ThinkPad
Start date Oct 26, 2008

ThinkPad

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Solar cell material achieves almost 100% efficiency, could solve worldwide energy

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