Joint Research Aims to Boost Sensitivity of Plastic Solar Cells

Mar 23, 2005 1:44 PM

Konarka Technologies Inc., a company that develops power plastics that convert light to energy, and Evident Technologies, a developer of advanced nanomaterials, are collaborating on research to increase the sensitivity of plastic solar cells to a wider range of the light spectrum. Using Konarka's proprietary polymers and Evident's quantum dots, the team is developing new materials that improve the overall performance of power plastic.

"As part of our continuing efforts to push photovoltaic science forward, we've learned how to get sensitivity outside the visible light spectrum, including the infrared, with our polymers," said Russell Gaudiana, Ph.D., vice president of research and development, Konarka. "This collaboration is focused on determining the best materials to capture more light and how to manufacture them outside the lab environment."

Evident's proprietary EviDots are high performance semiconductor nanocrystals active throughout the visible spectrum and into the near-infrared. The EviDots are being combined with Konarka's conductive polymers to create high-performance solar cells that exceed the capabilities of today's best silicon-based technologies.

The project is in keeping with both companies' stated missions to offer high-efficiency, low-cost materials in new form factors. The quantum dot power plastic could be used for demanding energy, communications and military applications, such as battlefield or off-grid power generation.

"Through our proprietary nanotechnology, we uniquely design the optical and electronic properties of our EviDots. Our quantum dots are tuned to absorb light over the solar spectrum from the visible through the infrared. This leads to harvesting a greater portion of energy, resulting in greater efficiencies for solar cells," commented Michael LoCascio, chief technology officer, Evident Technologies. "By combining our quantum dots with Konarka's innovative solar cell technology, together we are going to lead the way in making ultra high performance plastic solar cells a commercial reality."

This program with Evident complements Konarka's ongoing efforts to develop different coatable and printable chemistries for its light-activated power plastic.

For more information, visit www.evidenttech.com and www.konarka.com.

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