Researchers from Ames Laboratory and Iowa State University have developed a new texture to polymer solar cells. The new texture will increase its efficiency by 20%.
The new fabrication is a textured substrate that allows the cells to absorb more light and hold on to it longer. The ridges of the new coating are less than a millionth of a meter high.
Although the application of the ridges to polymer solar cells are new, the concept itself is old. This is mainly used in silicon-based solar cells. After many tries to get the light absorption maximized, Sumit Chaudhary and Kanwar Singh Nalwa got the texture, fabrication, and the size of the ridges just right.
The researchers are very proud of their accomplishment and are hopeful of what's to come of it.
"This may be an old idea we're using," Chaudhary said, "but it's never before been successfully implemented in polymer solar cells."
Opinion: I am glad to hear that our main alternate energy sources are being furthermore advanced. A 20% efficiency increase is a major accomplishment and these researchers should be proud. I hope these updated polymer solar cells get put to good use!
1. Which solar cells are more efficient: silicon-based solar cells or polymer solar cells?
2. What might be some possible reasons for the long amount of time it took to finally add ridges to the polymer solar cells?
3. If you had a chance to choose between solar energy and coal to power your house, which one would you honestly choose and why?
I'm in total agreememnt with Jake. I think modifying solar cells is a great idea, and i much better idea than trying to make a new alternate source. Most new alternate sources arent as efficent as the alternate sources already established so it definatley makes more sence to try and increase the efficieny of the already discovered alternate energy sources rather than trying to come up with new ones that arent as efficent.1) I would probably guess palmer based solar cells because of the new efficiency added, but thats just a guess i have nothing to base it on. 2) No one else was able to do it i guess, its as simple as that. These people probably did a lot of research that no one else did and eventually found out the whole ridges thing. 3) solar energy because it will save more money in the long run. i hope this discovery will lead to more discoveries on how to improve solar energy so one day it can be our #1 energy source since,in my opinion, its the best and most efficeient alternative to fossil fuels.
ReplyDeleteIt’s amazing no matter how many alternative energy breakthroughs we have, we still can’t turn alternative energy into our central energy source. With that being said, this is still a large step in the right direction. I agree with Jake, 20% increased efficiency is a very good sign for the future and it could also encourage more of the population, especially, normal suburban homes to use solar power when it will put out more energy with less intake.
ReplyDeleteBut the one thing that confuses me is that there is so much scientific work and research being put into these energy sources. With all these experiments, researchers, and engineers/developers, how can these two people (Chaudhary and Singh Nalwa) alone be responsible for making such an important discovery? This strikes me as a little odd.
1. That one is a very tough question. I would have to say polymer but then again I am not qualified to make any scientific decision in that field. The one thing I did find was an article on solar cells with silicon wire arrays at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100216140259.htm and another one about solar efficiency at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell_efficiency.
2. Once again Jake, you are giving us very abstract questions. This discovery may have to do with Chaudhary and Singh Nalwa and the fact that their minds just grasped a theory that previous scientists could only guess at but I can’t be sure.
3. Along with Ben, I would also choose solar because it would save money in the long run, the initial price of installing them is going down, and also it’s eco-friendly.
Although this isn't surprising, I'm very glad that this has finally been thought out. We keep finding new ways to get energy, but they all have something that makes them not very useful. Finding how to make the efficient ones that we already have better is what we should be doing. I also agree that 20% increased efficiency is huge deal. While some are finding ways to use various things as energy, others should be just figuring out how to make the ones we already have more useful! This new and updated form of solar panels will hopefully begin to show up in more places, again so we can stop relying so much on coal. I definitely think that this is a great sign, that will begin to lead us in the right direction.
ReplyDelete3) If i had to choose between powering my house with solar cells or coal, I would choose solar. This is because of both my opinion on saving the environment, and saving money. The only reasons I wouldn't want to use solar power would be because of how they look, and the efficiency. This reasons are outweighed by the good things though.
I think this new fabrication is great. This 20% increase should be a great step towards more efficient energy resources. All these new ways we are making or finding energy i think is terrific. The possibilities that can come from all these new alternative energy resources is great for the future. Who knows what will happen in the future with these new discoveries.3) I would pick solar energy to power my house because i feel it is more efficient then coal would be. I feel the only problem with solar energy is the downside of it raining outside or being cloudy.
ReplyDelete2) I think that the main cause of the long wait for this new discovery was technological advancements. If technology keeps advancing I think that even more discoveries can be found about how to make energy. From hydroelectricity to coal to now these new fabricated polymer solar cells. What else could be made? The possibilities are great! I know my home doesn't use any of these we just have normal heating in our home, but I think it would be great if my home used solar energy in any form. If we could save money then why not?
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