Katie Cordrey
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Single-celled marine life forms called diatoms are about to light up our lives. Oregon State University and Portland State University have been working with the rigid-shelled creatures in a new type of solar cell that functions at the nanotechnology level. Biology replaces conventional semiconductor application by using the skeletons of the tiny diatoms on a conductive glass surface to create a grid into which a soluble titanium dioxide is fed. The resulting film facilitates dye-sensitized technology in which photons bounce around pinball fashion striking dyes and producing electricity. This technology is slightly more expensive than other dye-sensitized methods, but has the potential for triple the electrical output. The video above explains the overall concept of dye-sensitized electrical generation.  Most existing solar cell technology is based on silicon and is nearing the limits of what we may be able to accomplish with that,” said Greg Rorrer, an OSU professor of chemical engineering. “There’s an enormous opportunity to develop different types of solar energy technology, and it’s likely that several forms will ultimately all find uses, depending on the situation.”
(livescience)References: osufoundation.org, livescience Filed In: |
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