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Self-assembling polymers could enable ultracheap solar panels

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Dual probes reveal effect of molecular organization on solar efficiency.

Marie Freebody, Contributing Editor, [email protected]

It is no surprise that many solar developers believe that polymer (plastic) cells that can cover huge areas could help bring us into a new age of renewable energy. Polymer solar cells are much cheaper to produce than conventional silicon types and have the potential to be produced in large quantities. But first, their efficiencies, which lag behind those of silicon solar cells, must be improved. Scientists from the Universities of Sheffield and Cambridge in the UK have found that, when complex mixtures of molecules in solution are spread onto a surface, the various molecules separate to...Read full article

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    Published: September 2011
    Glossary
    nano
    An SI prefix meaning one billionth (10-9). Nano can also be used to indicate the study of atoms, molecules and other structures and particles on the nanometer scale. Nano-optics (also referred to as nanophotonics), for example, is the study of how light and light-matter interactions behave on the nanometer scale. See nanophotonics.
    polymer
    Polymers are large molecules composed of repeating structural units called monomers. These monomers are chemically bonded together to form long chains or networks, creating a macromolecular structure. The process of linking monomers together is known as polymerization. Polymers can be classified into several categories based on their structure, properties, and mode of synthesis. Some common types of polymers include: Synthetic polymers: These are human-made polymers produced through...
    Advanced Energy MaterialsAndrew ParnellCambridge Universitycling-filmenergyEngineering and Physical Sciences Research CouncilGreenLightindustrialMarie FreebodyMaterials & ChemicalsnanoOpticsParnellPCDTBT and PCBMplasticpolymersilicon solar cellssolar cellsspin coatingUniversity of Sheffield

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