Researchers claimed that while the overall efficiency of the cell is still low compared to other types, around 9% of the energy of sunlight is converted to electricity, which the most rapid seen for a solar technology to date.
The research builds on previous work by the Lester Wolfe Professor of Chemistry, Moungi Bawendi in producing quantum dots as thin, uniform coatings with with precisely controllable characteristics.
The minuscule particles, which can be applied to other materials, are very effective at turning light into electricity.
According to Vladimir Bulovic, Fariborz Maseeh Professor of Emerging Technology in MIT’s School of Engineering, bringing them together in thin coatings "allow them to do what they do as individuals – to absorb light very well – but also work as a group, to transport charges."
The move enables charges to be collected at the edges where they can then be used in a circuit to create an electric current.
Bulovic said, "Silicon had six decades to get where it is today, and even silicon hasn’t reached the theoretical limit yet."
"You can’t hope to have an entirely new technology beat an incumbent in just four years of development."
Researchers said the new technology has important advantages some of which include a manufacturing process that is far less energy-intensive than other types.
Image: Researcher displays a sample of the record-setting new solar cell on the MIT campus. Photo: Courtesy of Chia-Hao Chuang.
