Dye sentisitized solar cells were invented by Michael Graetzel et al. in 1988 and are also known as "Graetzel cells". These cells are extremely promising because they are made of low-cost materials and do not need elaborate apparatus to manufacture. The cells have a simple structure that consists of two electrodes and an iodide-containing electrolyte. One electrode is dye-absorbed highly porous nanocrystalline titanium dioxide (nc-TiO2) deposited on a transparent electrically conducting substrate. The other is a transparent electrically conducting substrate only. TiO2 is a very common material (also used in toothpaste and sun lotion) and the dye can be an organic type like the colouring you find in blackberries. The cells have been compared to photosynthesis because they use the redox reaction of the electrolyte. The energy conversion efficiency of the cells has not yet reached the level of silicon solar cells but it is thought that the energy efficiency can rise beyond the Shockley-Queisser limit of 32%.
How does a dye sensitized solar cell work?
When light falls onto the dye sensitized solar cell it is absorbed by the dye. The electrons that are excited, due to the extra energy the light provides, can escape from the dye and into the TiO2 and diffuse through the TiO2 to the electrode. They are eventually returned to the dye through the electrolyte.
What is its similarity to photosynthesis?
The dye cell uses a molecule to absorb light. It's like chlorophyll in photosynthesis. But the chlorophyll's not involved in charge transport. It just absorbs light and generates a charge, and then those charges are conducted by some well-established mechanisms. That's exactly what our system does.
What is the main advantage of your advanced solar cell technology?
G24i’s technology has reduced capital manufacturing costs, a lower energy footprint, environmentally friendly raw materials and the ability to produce electricity in low light, outdoor conditions and indoor lighting.
What is nanotechnology?
Nanotechnology is the science of matter at the scale of one-billionth of a meter or 1/75,000th the size of a human hair. Currently it has been receiving vast amounts of research funding from government and industry alike. In addition to numerous advantages provided by this scale of miniaturization, quantum physics effects at this size range pride additional novel properties.
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