Dye-sensitized

A close-up artist's rendition of an upconverting nanoparticle: after the nanoparticle has absorbed infrared light, an erbium atom (red) emits it as visible green light, and the blue and purple molecules are dyes that improve the function

Energy

Nanoparticles are dyeing to convert infrared to visible light for solar cells

Most solar cells only capture the visible light. Now, researchers at Berkeley Labs have developed a way to use nanoparticles coated in special organic dyes to convert near-infrared light into visible light, which could allow solar cells to harvest more of the spectrum.

A new, stable dye-sensitized solar cell developed at Northwestern University promises to be a cheaper alternative to silicon cells (Photo: Martin L)

Environment

Stable dye-sensitized solar cell may provide cheaper alternative to silicon

A new, stable dye-sensitized solar cell developed at Northwestern University may one day provide a cheaper alternative to silicon cells.

An Oriental hornet, whose yellow and brown exoskeleton is able to turn sunlight into electricity (Photo: Matti Paavola)

Science

Scientists find natural photovoltaic cell in hornet, and copy it

Scientists have discovered that the Oriental hornet is able to harvest electricity from sunlight, and have created a man-made photovoltaic cell based on it.

Scientists at Monash University (Australia) have created dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) with a three-fold increase in efficiency over previous methods

Environment

New development boosts output of DSSC solar cells

A Monash University-led international research team, has developed a way to boost the output of the next generation of solar cells by creating a more efficient dye that makes dye-sensitive solar cells (DSS) perform better than previous versions.