Plasmonic Plasmas - the art of capturing light

New research into the plasmon effect has overcome the earlier limitation of the ability to absorb light to convert it into electricity from solar cells.

Historically, two types of solar cells have existed: conventional and thin films made from silicon or cadmium titres, but they all have cost or performance problems.

Kylie Catchpole, Australian National University in Canberra, has been working to address the problem of both batteries, creating a new high-performance battery. The idea came to her, Plasmonic, a strange optical property of metal.

The diagram depicts the working principle based on the plasmon effect of the metal.

Plasmon is a type of wave moving through electrons on the metal surface excited by light.

The plasmonic effect forms on the molecular surface deflecting light photons, causing them to turn on and move toward the battery. This increases the absorption of longer wavelengths of light.

In this test, Catchpole's solar cells produce 30% more electricity, twice as high as conventional thin silicon solar cells.

The prospect is huge if Catchpole can incorporate its nanotechnology into commercial-scale production, which could change the solar industry around the world.

Source: Technology Review