A New Discovery for Solar Energy

   Researchers in Cambridge’s Cavendish Laboratory discover that the wavelike property of organic nanostructures can be utilized to make efficient and cheaper organic solar cells.

  Light absorption is seen in the organic nanostructures and some wavelike properties of the electrons like their rapid formation and fast separation is also observed by the researchers using an ultrafast camera.

     

   These properties are only expected to be seen in expensive inorganic structures but the discovery of this phenomenon will lead to the production of cheaper and roll-to-roll solar cells (much cheaper than silicon solar cell production). The printing of solar cells could also be done in room temperatures rather than at very high temperatures (500^OC).

      

  A study that was published in a Science Journal shows a mechanism that allows an efficient separation of protons and electrons which can lead to a very efficient absorption of light and very high solar energy conversion as well. This could be seen in nature as the photosynthesis process.

   At a very small period of time, each charge prefers to spread itself on multiple molecules than for the charges to be localized as one. This phenomenon, called as spatial coherence, allows the charge to move very fast and to be separated from the one that has an opposite charge. This phenomenon can be utilized to generate electricity or making chemical reactions more efficient.

  Continuous research is done by scientists to solve the global challenges that we encounter in our daily lives. We, as students, should help in solving these challenges by generating bright ideas that will not only benefit ourselves, but also benefit other people as well.  

Blogpost by: Jocel Tonido

References:

Anon., 2013. SciTechDaily. [Online] Available at: http://scitechdaily.com/surprise-discovery-revolutionize-solar-energy/ [Accessed 14 December 2013].

Anon., n.d. Xennia. [Online] Available at: http://www.xennia.com/knowledgecentre/inkjet-printed-solar-cells.asp [Accessed 14 December 2013].

Bellis,M.,n.d.About.com.[Online]Available at: 

http://inventors.about.com/od/sstartinventions/a/solar_cell.htm [Accessed 14 December 2013].