Researchers to use diatoms developed dye-sensitized solar cells

Recently, U.S. researchers said they found the use of diatom life-type solar cell structure of the development of the latest technology. Compared to the current silicon-based solar cells, use of new technologies produced by solar power generation system easier.

Diatoms such tiny single-celled marine life on Earth has survived for at least 1 million years, they are the ocean food chain, the basis of many lives. In addition, under the hard shell of silicon attract, people are constantly developing as new ways of nanostructures.

Oregon State University chemical engineering professor, said most of the existing solar cell technology based on silicon material, which has the capacity to be developed almost to the limit, so other solar energy technologies will have a better opportunity for development.

Dye-sensitized solar cell technology is one that uses environmentally friendly materials and at a relatively low light conditions to work. However, in the current manufacture of dye-sensitized solar cells, it was difficult to obtain the semiconductor photoelectric conversion.

The use of biological rather than the traditional way of semiconductor manufacturing, Oregon State University and Portland State University researchers developed the production of dye-sensitized solar cell of the new method. Newly developed manufacturing methods and the difference between the old method is unique in several steps, at the same time with a new battery with more power potential.

Although the use of new technologies to create dye-sensitized solar cells is slightly higher than the current production costs similar to the cost of batteries, but the researchers believe that the resulting power output is expected to more than 3 times the battery now.

Source: www.windosi.com Apr. 12, 2009