First All-Carbon Solar Cell

Nov-04-12 Researchers have developed the first all-carbon solar cell, which could lead to a generation of flexible solar cells that could be coated on cars and windows.

While other groups have claimed to have created all-carbon cells, the carbon component has actually only been the middle layer. The new all-carbon cell, developed by a team at Stanford University, is actually made entirely of carbon—even the electrodes, which are made of graphene and single-walled carbon nanotubes. Under extreme conditions, carbon is able to outperform conventional devices, which would make it useful for areas of high temperatures or high physical stress.

The team is currently working to improve the efficiency of the cells by experimenting with different carbon nanomaterial able to absorb a wider range of wavelengths and by enhancing the cell’s smoothness.

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[GIZMAG.COM]
[STANFORD]

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