The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GRTI) News archive announces the successful development of a new concept of solar cell.
The research project Nano-Manhanttan has been conducted by Jud Ready.
The idea behind the device it to create a solar cell able to harvest every last photon that is available. This aim has been achieved by following a 3D design.
"The GTRI photovoltaic cells trap light between their tower structures, which are about 100 microns tall, 40 microns by 40 microns square, 10 microns apart -- and built from arrays containing millions of vertically-aligned carbon nanotubes. Conventional flat solar cells reflect a significant portion of the light that strikes them, reducing the amount of energy they absorb. "
"Because the tower structures can trap and absorb light received from many different angles, the new cells remain efficient even when the sun is not directly overhead. That could allow them to be used on spacecraft without the mechanical aiming systems that maintain a constant orientation to the sun, reducing weight and complexity – and improving reliability. "
The design is described in the March issue of the Journal of Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (JOM), but sadly we don't have access.
The idea behind the device it to create a solar cell able to harvest every last photon that is available. This aim has been achieved by following a 3D design.
"The GTRI photovoltaic cells trap light between their tower structures, which are about 100 microns tall, 40 microns by 40 microns square, 10 microns apart -- and built from arrays containing millions of vertically-aligned carbon nanotubes. Conventional flat solar cells reflect a significant portion of the light that strikes them, reducing the amount of energy they absorb. "
"Because the tower structures can trap and absorb light received from many different angles, the new cells remain efficient even when the sun is not directly overhead. That could allow them to be used on spacecraft without the mechanical aiming systems that maintain a constant orientation to the sun, reducing weight and complexity – and improving reliability. "
The design is described in the March issue of the Journal of Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (JOM), but sadly we don't have access.
No comments:
Post a Comment