Diatom material to improve the efficiency of solar cells three times

According to Oregon State University and Portland State University researchers say the experiment confirmed that a so-called micro-algae diatom help the dye-sensitized solar cell power output is three times more.

Engineers said the review through the capture diatoms outside of the thin film solar cell layer nano-holes in the light, this battery can be retrieved more sub incident, which substantially improved the efficiency of electricity generation.

"In our system, the photon in the formation of diatom shell holes with bounce," Oregon State University professor Greg Rorrer said, "This will enhance their energy efficiency three times higher than conventional systems."

In contrast to the case of silicon solar cells, dye-sensitized solar cell with thin film materials used in low-light conditions with the advantage of more environmentally friendly. However, the silicon solar cell conversion efficiency as high as 20%, than the dye-sensitized solar cell conversion efficiency of 10% twice higher.

Therefore, if the material allows the use of diatoms dye-sensitized solar cell efficiency of three times, then we will be able to provide a lower cost silicon solar cells with considerable efficiency, in particular, is that it can work in low light conditions.

The technology is still in an experimental stage, is expected to be its manufacturing cost than the traditional dye-sensitized solar cells higher. However, Rorrer that enhance the high-conversion efficiency that is sufficient to compensate the increased costs. As the photons bounce in the hole in which dye molecules get more energy, a substantial increase in probability, in order to release more electronic.

Next, these engineers also intends diatoms measured only by a single solar cell composed by the micro-efficiency. In addition, due to the efficiency of these materials have not been commercialized to the extent practical, therefore, they are also planning to carry out the best of this material.

Source: windosi.com Jun. 6, 2009