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It's exciting to see lots of new technology emerging in the research of photovoltaic materials. Here's one that could lead to cheaper, and lighter, yet more efficient PV panels... Colloidal quantum dots.
Hey, there's a new term I think we'll be hearing a lot more about in the future. Please take notes. There will be a test.
Quote:
Solar Sensitive Nanoparticles Could Lead to More Cost Efficient Solar Panels
A new and innovative type of solar-sensitive nanoparticles is destined to open up the bright possibility of being able to buy more cost efficient solar panels for homes and businesses. The new kind of solar-sensitive nanoparticles that are set to revolutionize the solar panel industry were developed by designed by a team of researchers from the University of Toronto’s Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering.
The nanoparticles form into solid, stable units referred to as colloidal quantum dots (CQDs). They are a superior and more cost efficient alternative to other materials, and the colloidal quantum dots can be used to create such solar energy-related gadgets as less expensive infrared light emitting diodes, infrared lasers, solar cells, and next-gen gas sensors.
photovoltaics is the technology that Solar Panels use. I believe that the original poster wanted to highlight that a new game changing technology for solar panels is around the corner.
The point is that this technology is more efficient at converting sunlight into electricity AND is cheaper to produce than what is currently being sold, which should accelerate adoption of solar energy production once it is commercially available.
And the point of that should be obvious... the more clean, renewable energy we use in place of carbon emitting fossil fuel generation, the better for the environment... which is the goal of "Green" living.
While eventually devices using some sort of quantum dots could be used for PV solar panels, I doubt that they will be as efficient over the entire solar spectrum as some other competing technologies due to the limitations of electron transfer in the colloids and the narrow absorption spectrum of individual particles. However, I can imagine a bunch of other applications for this, particularly in medicine. I could imagine miniaturized electronic devices that could be turned on and off with laser pulses, as the quantum dots can have fantastic efficiency for monochromatic sources such as lasers. As usual, there are many sensors types of applications, but that has been known for a while now.
While eventually devices using some sort of quantum dots could be used for PV solar panels, I doubt that they will be as efficient over the entire solar spectrum as some other competing technologies due to the limitations of electron transfer in the colloids and the narrow absorption spectrum of individual particles.
Easy for you to say!
Nevertheless, the researchers' claim is that the materials they've developed are more efficient and cheaper than current technology.
Like everything else in the mill, it will take time to see what shakes out, but I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt while we wait to see what they develop.
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