US-based three-dimensional solar cell start-up Solar3D is in discussions with the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering to facilitate the fabrication of its new cell technology.
The Smart System Technology and Commercialization Center at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering has been formed specifically to help commercialise breakthrough innovations such as the Solar3D cell.
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Inspired by light management techniques used in fibre optic devices, the company's innovative solar cell technology utilises a three-dimensional design to trap sunlight inside micro-photovoltaic structures where photons bounce around until they are converted into electrons.
“We have produced the initial prototype of our innovative new solar cell. It has exceeded our initial expectations. Now, we are focused on doing what is necessary to make it available to the world,” said Jim Nelson, CEO of Solar3D.
“The results of the initial testing on the original prototype have been very encouraging,” said Nelson. “But there is still room for making the product even better. The version 2.0 of the Solar3D cell is currently being refined.”
Nelson concluded: “We know that this next generation technology works. We continue to refine it – making it more efficient and easier to build. It will only get better from here. By the time we do our pilot run, we believe that we will have something very special indeed.”