When it comes to solar energy research it’s better not to be self-absorbed according to researchers at the University of Washington and Western Washington University.
Researchers at UW’s Clean Energy Institute have developed a luminescent solar concentrator that absorbs light over a large area then re-emits it. The concentrator directs light to photovoltaic cells on the edge of the glass layer, which is then converted into electricity. The process, which eliminates so-called self-absorbson, or the tendency of the luminescent dyes to absorb their own light, is known as “doping” quantum dots. It could lead to a system of solar panels and window coatings ideal for cloudier climates.
Read more about this process developed in Prof. Daniel Gamelin’s lab in conjunction with Prof. David Patrick of Western Washington University (WWU): “Doped semiconductor nanocrystals boost solar concentrators” in NanotechWeb.org. (Photo courtesy D. Patrick.)
Meantime, this joint research between the two universities was demonstrated by a student team from Western Washington University, which took the $5,000 Clean Tech Prize and the $5,000 second place prize at the recent UW Environmental Innovation Challenge. The Nova Solar Window team is pictured here with Alex Jen, CEI Chief Scientist for Science & Technology Integration. Read more
UW Environmental Innovation Challenge Winners with CEI’s Alex Jen
