Lighting The Way

摘要

Commercial solar cells could have double the efficiency in five years' time with novel research into nanomaterials.rnThe EU-funded project, called ROD-SOL (Rods for Novel Solar Cells), aims to create large-scale methods for growing arrays of small, 3D silicon cylinders known as nanorods. This would replace conventional silicon-growing techniques that involve casting ingots and cutting wafers.rnA solar cell based on arrays of 3D nanorods will absorb more photons than regular 2D wafers because it scatters less light, said Juhana Kostamo, managing director of Picosun, an atomic layer deposition (ALD) systems manufacturer based in Finland. The company is one of several industrial partners involved in ROD-SOL. 'Current solar cells in mass production have an efficiency typically ranging from five per cent to 10 per cent. With this technology it is possible to double that efficiency.'