Saturday, November 29, 2008
100% Efficient Solar Cells?
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.
Full Article...
I'm skeptic. I thought it was theoretically impossible to get 100% efficiency. There are always losses in conversion. If it's all accurate, this could be very big, if they can manufacture it for a reasonable price that is.
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It is, at least, practically impossible to get 100% efficiency. Price per energy is more important. It's an interesting discovery though ("triplet state electrons" :) ).
100% efficiency is very attractive for space applications.
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