MAY 20

Two research teams have independently developed methods to produce nanowires that could lead to a dramatic improvement in solar photovoltaic cell efficiency. In both cases, the basic concept is the same, to use nanowires for more efficient conduction of electrons from the collection surface of a solar cell to an electrode.

The first technique, developed by researchers at UC San Diego, creates ‘hairy’ solar cells, only visible at a microscopic level. In fact, the hairs are nanowires, tiny metallic or silicon structures used to complete very small circuits. Researchers were able to grow nanowires directly onto a cheap conductive surface made of indium tin oxide. Nanowires were then coated with an organic polymer.

The second team, a consortium between three German universities (Jena, Gottingen and Bremen) and Harvard, has developed a technique to bond nanowires with spun glass. The approach is based on a kind of high-tech ‘sandwich,’ whereby nanowires are placed between a highly conductive bottom layer and a metallic top one, with spun-on glass forming a ‘spacer layer’ to prevent the circuit from shorting. This means that current can run smoothly along the nanowires and could lead to a completely new class of efficient integrated circuits.

There are still a few teething problems with the San Diego approach, the chief one being that the polymer layer currently degrades when exposed to air. However, if either approach can be made to work on a commercial scale, it could lead to smaller, cheaper and easier to install panels. Perhaps we’ve just moved one small step closer to a solar future.

Via Ecotechdaily and Sciencedaily

Comments (7)

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Beware
written by Felix Bergen, May 21, 2008

What eventually happens to the nano-wires? They enter the environment and ultimately our bodies.

I would rather put up with more CO2 than be suffering from nano-wire itch.

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...
written by Jay Tee, May 21, 2008

Beware, that is such a great liberal whine that you must be joking.
See? They even whine about solar energy!!!

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Mr
written by Design, May 25, 2008

I`m already tired of hearing 'that could improve solar cells tech, that can improve...'
I wonder when will they finally make something applicable for our homes.

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Waitng.... Waiting....
written by Yea, May 25, 2008

Over the years I have heard about all these break-thoughs ( don't get me wrong I like break-throughs in tech.) but haven't been able to buy any because they don't appear on the market.
WHY? WHY? WHY?

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How about that follow-up?
written by ei, May 27, 2008

I agree! these techs that you half-expect to come out--what do happen to them?

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Not the First Nanowire Wafers...
written by Ryan, May 30, 2008

Saw an article on the Georgia Tech website a few months ago about this technique. So far it is the earliest and most original I've found. There's some useful discussion about the potential for the technology also.

http://www.gatech.edu/newsroom/release.html?id=1337

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Perpetual Energy Receptor/Transmitter
written by maryatvan, July 16, 2008

The important information in this article is that our problem for viable solar energy is wrapped in a new type of packaging for us as a gift.
I feel using copper nanotubes or copper coating to a surface collector is akin to Tesla technology.
Maybe another idea is using 'iridium' as a magno-transmitter to intensify the capability of conductitity.

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