Research workers reveal how water based ‘artificial leaf’ generates electricity
North Carolina research workers reveal how water based ‘artificial leaf’ generates electricity
Did you know that a North Carolina State University team showed that water gel-based solar devices (known as: “artificial leaves”) can behave like solar cells to make electricity?
Did you know that a North Carolina State University team showed that water gel-based solar devices (known as: “artificial leaves”) can behave like solar cells to make electricity?The research has been released on-line within the Journal of Materials Chemistry by Doctor. Orlin Velev, an Invista Professor associated with Chemical and Bio-molecular Engineering.
The results prove the idea for making solar cells that more closely copy nature. They also have the opportunity to be more affordable and more environmentally friendly than the present standard silicon based solar cells.
The bendable products are composed of water-based gel infused along with light-sensitive molecules (like plant chlorophyll) coupled with electrodes coated by carbon elements, such as carbon nanotubes or graphite.
Graphene is the simple structural element of several carbon allotropes including graphite, carbon nanotubes and fullerenes.
The light-sensitive molecules get “excited” by the sun’s rays to generate electricity, similar to plant molecules that get excited to synthesize all kinds of sugar in order to grow.
Dr. Velev states that the research team hopes to “learn how to mimic the materials through which nature harnesses solar power.”
Although artificial light-sensitive molecules can be used, Velev says naturally made products, like chlorophyll, are also very easily integrated in these units because of their own water-gel matrix.
Velev even imagines a future where homes could be covered with soft sheets of similar electrical energy-generating synthetic-leaf solar cells.
The concept of biologically inspired ‘soft’ products for generating electricity might in the future offer an alternative for the present-day solid-state technologies.
About the Author: Colleen Mcguire writes for the solar fountains reviews blog, her personal hobby web log focused on recommendations to help home owners to spend a smaller amount energy with solar energy.
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