Breakthrough in solar photovoltaics

[bemildred]

THE HOLY Grail of researchers in the field of solar photovoltaic (SPV) electricity is to generate it at a lower cost than that of grid electricity. The goal now seems to be within reach.

A Palo Alto (California ) start-up, named Nanosolar Inc., founded in 2002, claims that it has developed a commercial scale technology that can deliver solar electricity at 5 cents per kilowatt-hour.

Molecular self-assembly

The breakthrough has come through the application of nanotechnology to create components via molecular self-assembly, including quantum dots (10nm large nanoparticles) as well as nanotemplates with structural order extending through all three dimensions.

In addition, Nanosolar has demonstrated that the three dimensionally engineered nanotemplates can be conformally coated or solidly filled with semiconductor paint to create ultra-thin solar cells with layers that are yet another factor 100x thinner than conventional thin-film amorphous silicon solar cells.

The Hindu

[benburch]

1. My question is;

What exotic or toxic materials are involved?

I hope this is somewhat clean, and that the materials required are not excessively rare.

[dweller]

7. read here

http://www.nanosolar.com/printablesemiconductors.htm

dp

[Warpy]

2. I read something about this several months ago

I've been waiting for solar chargers to come down to the point I could get one for my scooter. This might do it, so I hope they go into production soon.

[gulfcoastliberal]

5. Nanoparticle pollution is a serious concern

U.S. REGULATORS WANT TO KNOW
WHETHER NANOTECH CAN POLLUTE


By Doug Brown
Small Times Correspondent

WASHINGTON, March 8, 2002 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is gathering information on the potential perils of nanotechnology even while it's enlisting the science in its fight against pollution.

For the second consecutive year, the agency is seeking bids from researchers who want to use nanotechnology to make the environment cleaner. But the EPA will also pay for research projects that illuminate possible dangers, said Barbara Karn, the EPA official in charge of the agency's forays into nanotechnology research.

http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/Nanotech/WHETHER%20NANOTECH%20CAN%20POLLUTE.htm


Expert Warns Of Toxicity In Nanotechnology Science

Nanotechnology, a science devoted to engineering things that are unimaginably small, may pose a health hazard and should be investigated further, warns a University of Rochester scientist and worldwide expert in the field, who received a $5.5 million grant to conduct such research.

Günter Oberdörster, Ph.D., professor of Toxicology in Environmental Medicine and director of the university's EPA Particulate Matter Center, has already completed one study showing that inhaled nano-sized particles accumulate in the nasal cavities, lungs and brains of rats. Scientists speculate this buildup could lead to harmful inflammation and the risk of brain damage or central nervous system disorders. Oberdörster's study is scheduled to appear in the May 2004 journal Inhalation Toxicology, and is receiving widespread attention in the scientific community; it was cited at an international nanotechnology/health conference earlier this year in England by the Institute of Physics.

"I'm not advocating that we stop using nanotechnology, but I do believe we should continue to look for adverse health effects," says Oberdörster, who also leads the UR division of Respiratory Biology and Toxicology. "Sixty years ago scientists showed that in primates, nano-sized particles traveled along nerves from the nose and settled into the brain. But this has mostly been forgotten. The difference today is that more nano-particles exist, and the technology is moving forward to find additional uses for them – and yet we do not have answers to important questions of the possible health impact."

http://www.azonano.com/news_old.asp?newsID=106

I have mixed feelings about nanotech. With pollution regulations becoming a bygone era, I really do not trust industry to do the right thing and spend money on safeguards.

[Dogmudgeon]

3. Magnesium Oxide was the last big breakthrough (IIRC)

I suspect that there will be several major breakthroughs in photovoltaic power generation.

The question is: Will we be able to get enough PV generators in production soon enough to avoid calamitous consequences of the coming energy crises?

--p!

[benburch]

8. Very unlikely

Most of us will starve to death in the next 50 years.

[Massacure]

10. Solar replaces coal and nuclear, not oil.

Only 1 kilowatt per meter squared hits earth every hour. You would need 40-50 square meters to run a car.

[mhr]

4. NanoSolar Website

www.nanosolar.com

[dweller]

6. thanks

just signed up for their info.

dp

[applegrove]

9. The real reason for the terror alert today - solar power advances!!