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Spanish University Wins Nanotech PV Project

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After responding to a call for proposals, a research group led by Juan Bisquert at Universitat Jaume I of Castelló has won the bid for a scientific and technological research project on new types of solar cells based on nanotechnologies.


Solar cells based on nanotechnologies.


The project, titled “Células solares nanodiseñadas de bajo coste basadas en nanocristales semiconductores” (“Low-cost nanodesigned solar cells based on semiconductor nanocrystals”) will be funded with a three-year, €25,000 ($33,500) grant from the Ministry of Science and Innovation. The project is to be carried out as part of the Spanish National R&D Internationalisation Programme included within the Spanish Plan to Boost the Economy and Employment, Plan E. Its main aim is to further cooperation between Spain and Japan in the field of nanotechnology. The project will develop materials that promote sustainable development and improve energy efficiency in production, storage, transport and renewable energy conversion.
The research group at Universitat Jaume I will pay special attention to scientific knowledge of new materials and nanocompounds that can contribute to photovoltaic conversion. The new solar cells, based on quantum dots, are considered of particular interest. Quantum dots are semiconductors that are so small that they have a marked effect on the wave properties of matter, which means that the optical and electronic properties can be easily modified just by adjusting the size of particles. At present, luminescence of quantum dots is used as a cell marker in biotechnology.

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The project will investigate the application of nanocrystals to efficiently converting light into electricity, which requires integrating them within suitable structures so that solid, durable devices can be produced. This is an essential condition for transferring the results to industry. The project is based on research carried out by Iván Mora Seró, from the Bisquert group, in collaboration with a group led by Taro Toyoda in Japan. This collaborative research has already given rise to a joint study on the properties of solar cells based on quantum dots.

A total of 61 proposals from leading Spanish nanotechnology research centers were submitted. Altogether eight projects will be funded.

Besides the UJI, the Technical University of Madrid, the University of Alicante, the University of Castilla La Mancha and several laboratories belonging to the Spanish Council for Scientific Investigations will also carry out projects.

For more information, visit:  www.uji.es 


Published: April 2010
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.
nanotechnology
The use of atoms, molecules and molecular-scale structures to enhance existing technology and develop new materials and devices. The goal of this technology is to manipulate atomic and molecular particles to create devices that are thousands of times smaller and faster than those of the current microtechnologies.
optical
Pertaining to optics and the phenomena of light.
quantum dots
A quantum dot is a nanoscale semiconductor structure, typically composed of materials like cadmium selenide or indium arsenide, that exhibits unique quantum mechanical properties. These properties arise from the confinement of electrons within the dot, leading to discrete energy levels, or "quantization" of energy, similar to the behavior of individual atoms or molecules. Quantum dots have a size on the order of a few nanometers and can emit or absorb photons (light) with precise wavelengths,...
Asia-Pacificbiotechnologycell markersenergyEuropegreen photonicsIván Mora SeróJapanJuan Bisquertnanonanocompoundsnanotechnologyopticalphotovoltaicsquantum dotsrenewable energy conversionResearch & Technologysemiconductor nanocrystalssolar cellsSpainSpanish Council for Scientific InvestigationsSpanish National R&D Internationalisation ProgrammeSpanish Plan to Boost the Economy and Employment - Plan ETaro ToyodaTechnical University of Madridthe University of Alicantethe University of Castilla La ManchaUniversitat Jaume I

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