Next-generation solar cells could satisfy a wider range of applications
A British company hoping to produce the next generation of low-cost solar cells has received £1.4m to market its technology. Warwick University spin-out Molecular Solar is working with Imperial College London and other firms to develop its version of solar cells using materials similar to those in OLED TV screens.
The company hopes the flexibility of narrow dimensions of such cells could be used to develop products such as pen-sized mobile phone chargers, light-up clothing and sunshades for car windows that power integral fans. ‘We’re trying to produce a solar technology that’s more affordable for people and has a wider range of applications, ` said Molecular Solar chairman Peter Ballantyne. ‘We’re going away from traditional semiconductor materials to organics. We’re using the same basic materials as OLEDs, but we’re using the reverse process, producing electricity from light instead of light from electricity. `
The materials are formed from molecules in dyes and pigments. Using two dissimilar materials allows electrons excited by sunlight to generate electric current. Molecular Solar hopes to boost the generation efficiency of these materials from the current six per cent to 10 per cent.’ We want to modify these materials so they can harvest the whole solar spectrum, including ultraviolet and infrared light, ` said Ballantyne. The firm aims to bring costs down to 40 cents (25p) per watt of generating power and ensure the materials can prevent degradation by light, water or oxygen. The Technology Strategy Board and EPSRC provided the funding to Molecular Solar and its partners, Kurt Lesker, Asylum Research and New World Solar.
BY STEPHEN HARRIS
Sourced from "the Engineer" magazine
