Summary of MIT opens new 'window' on solar energy
MIT researchers come up with an innovative work on solar energy recently. This work makes it possible that light is gathered over a large area like a window and then concentrated on edges to produce energy. This innovative work involves a mixture of two or more dyes painted onto a plane of glass or plastic. The dyes work together to absorb the light of different light wavelengths, reemit the light and transport it to the solar cells at the edges. The process indicates that it is enough for solar cells to just cover the edges, which decreases the cost dramatically. Moreover, according to the researchers, the focused light increases the electrical power obtained from each solar cell. All in all, the advantage of this work is the increases in efficiency and decreases in costs. By contrast, currently solar cells have to cover the whole roof to gather solar energy, which at the same time increases the difficulties of deploying and maintaining them. (Thomson, E.A, July 10, 2008)
Actually the similar idea about adding dyes into glass or plastic initially came up in the 1970s. However, the idea was abandoned later because little light reached the solar cells at the edges and much of it lost in the transportation. The engineers in MIT in optical techniques developed for organic light-emitting diodes and lasers. Some researchers came up with applying these advanced techniques in solar energy. The result was that they succeeded in making such suitable dyes added to glass that can collect and transport light. This revolutionary work will bring great benefits to human beings especially faced with shortage of resources and global warming. Realizing this work’s great potential, some researchers are starting a company to develop and commercialize this technology. They believe it will be widely spread within three years because the system is easy to build and run.
References: Thomson, E.A, July 10, 2008. MIT opens new ‘window’ on solar energy. From http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/solarcells-0710.html
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This summary is well organized and the MIT solar-gathering technology is explained precisely. It is very good to hear this kind of technology has been well developed. I guess during the developing period, the most important point is that different kinds of technologies and sciences can be combined together nicely. By the way I doubt a bit when you say this technology can be spread in 3 years. Although it is effective, easy to operate and cheaper, 3 years is still a too short period for it to be well known in househood, especially in rural areas.
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