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Off-the-shelf dyes improve solar cells

The Kids Science Zone -- Like most technologies, work on solar devices has proceeded in generational waves. First came bulk silicon-based solar cells built with techniques that borrowed heavily from those used to make computer chips. Next came work on thin films of materials specifically tailored to harvest the sun's energy, but still more or less borrowed from the realm of microelectronics manufacturing. Then came the third generation, described by one researcher and blogger as "the wild west," which among other objectives aims to build inexpensive next-generation solar cells by relying on decidedly low-tech wet chemistry.

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Submitted Sep 01, 2010 By: PhilMils

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remay Champion Author Houston Posts:4,716 Points:1,658,720 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2010 7:57:52 AM Ignore remay Report Abuse The technology keeps improving...
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:15,285 Points:1,145,225 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2010 5:27:03 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse as we get more experience in solar and other alternatives, we will find more ways to bring price down and wattage per square inch (sq. cm) up.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:15,285 Points:1,145,225 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2010 5:23:25 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse quick68: and they're actually much better at picking up the lessons we teach them than we were... it's sad, but as long as we don't know history, we will be repeating it...
Quick68 Champion Author Columbus Posts:4,859 Points:761,825 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2010 1:01:08 AM Ignore Quick68 Report Abuse We are teaching our kids to do the same as we are. Get all you can get. Greed and more Greed.
14of45SSR Champion Author Saskatchewan Posts:2,370 Points:830,540 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 11:45:08 PM Ignore 14of45SSR Report Abuse If the costs drop, sales will go up!
ThatHunt Champion Author Dallas Posts:4,487 Points:1,630,015 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 11:44:22 PM Ignore ThatHunt Report Abuse the kids shall inherit our mess.
Blue_Cruzer Champion Author Lexington Posts:5,167 Points:1,205,650 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 11:42:34 PM Ignore Blue_Cruzer Report Abuse I will be interested to see where we are in ten years, with all these technologies.
clement007 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:4,821 Points:1,388,400 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 11:40:10 PM Ignore clement007 Report Abuse make it cheap
TBONE3 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:6,403 Points:1,513,670 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 11:36:32 PM Ignore TBONE3 Report Abuse Any improvement in quality, reliability and cost of fuel cells will make people take notice.
Jethroy Champion Author Toronto Posts:4,069 Points:743,740 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 11:34:53 PM Ignore Jethroy Report Abuse thats good
idigau22 Champion Author Washington Posts:20,244 Points:2,807,330 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 11:34:18 PM Ignore idigau22 Report Abuse USGS experts and many other experts say we have 300 years of oil right under our feet here in the good old USA! Lets drill and use it while "Green Research" is being argued!
camel1 Champion Author Minnesota Posts:6,060 Points:1,818,465 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 11:28:10 PM Ignore camel1 Report Abuse Technology evolves
Buddy2264 Champion Author Tampa Posts:9,273 Points:1,896,465 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 11:26:03 PM Ignore Buddy2264 Report Abuse We may want to use oil but at what cost as it gets harder to get and the demand goes up. There may be an initial cost to change but then what is the cost. As in solar, they last 25 years or more, not sure on wind. Conservation keeps your money in your pocket.
1cheapgasin Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:3,160 Points:747,515 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 11:23:00 PM Ignore 1cheapgasin Report Abuse Going green will cost 3 times what oil costs- do the math, we are destined to use oil for our lifetime~!!!!!
1cheapgasin Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:3,160 Points:747,515 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 11:20:52 PM Ignore 1cheapgasin Report Abuse They won't make solar a bargain until they run out of oil- that's 200 years away!!!!!!!
Canucktree Champion Author Alberta Posts:2,709 Points:581,585 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 11:19:49 PM Ignore Canucktree Report Abuse Finally the US goes Green (in thought)?
tedjm1 Champion Author New York Posts:3,555 Points:392,610 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 11:14:37 PM Ignore tedjm1 Report Abuse All of a sudden, the entire industry, for all we have in the U.S., is out looking for new things for energy. And trying to get it at lower cost. Where were they several years back?
CobraLeader Champion Author New Jersey Posts:267,902 Points:1,200,750 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 11:14:31 PM Ignore CobraLeader Report Abuse ... What does this have to do with the price of gas or oil??? ...
Bus561 Champion Author Lexington Posts:14,091 Points:2,756,030 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 11:11:24 PM Ignore Bus561 Report Abuse In my firm opinion I think the oil industry has basically halted all exploration of any solar energy in the past.
jimgraham Champion Author Akron Posts:7,981 Points:1,516,945 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 11:10:46 PM Ignore jimgraham Report Abuse The science of solar cells is moving forward at a increasing pace. This is a good thing..
LocalSpyGuy Champion Author Tampa Posts:5,494 Points:1,123,245 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 11:08:59 PM Ignore LocalSpyGuy Report Abuse Solar is the most efficient and cleanist energy source. If we could only find a way to harness it.
jrsva Champion Author Virginia Posts:7,159 Points:1,149,025 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 10:56:30 PM Ignore jrsva Report Abuse Sorry AK, articles on advances in alternative energy sources are never off topic. This sort of research will impact all of us down the road.
AKmailman Champion Author Alaska Posts:3,308 Points:1,101,545 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 10:48:08 PM Ignore AKmailman Report Abuse sounds like another OFF TOPIC solar post - it's automobiles and fuels
kbierley Champion Author Dayton Posts:9,934 Points:1,271,545 Joined:Nov 2003	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 10:47:21 PM Ignore kbierley Report Abuse And the cost to do this large scale is?????
waynemustang Champion Author Indiana Posts:4,681 Points:1,240,205 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 10:41:31 PM Ignore waynemustang Report Abuse Solar cells have a LONG way to go before they are practical.
us4usa Champion Author Missouri Posts:3,842 Points:683,250 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 10:23:13 PM Ignore us4usa Report Abuse All for solar big oil cant buy the sun.
lightbulbman2008 Champion Author Worcester Posts:188,533 Points:1,123,100 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 10:09:23 PM Ignore lightbulbman2008 Report Abuse give the plan some time to work.!!!!
lolite All-Star Author San Diego Posts:813 Points:415,890 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 10:08:58 PM Ignore lolite Report Abuse Any movement forward in Solar is Good for all of us.
Lukus Champion Author Halifax Posts:6,042 Points:1,219,535 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 10:06:16 PM Ignore Lukus Report Abuse Solar is the energy of the future.
Bleeder Champion Author Virginia Posts:6,148 Points:1,271,655 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 10:03:55 PM Ignore Bleeder Report Abuse This sounds very interesting.
saleboss Champion Author Phoenix Posts:2,866 Points:966,490 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 9:58:23 PM Ignore saleboss Report Abuse Keep looking, we'll find the best combination eventually!
signwiz Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,395 Points:1,352,180 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 9:54:59 PM Ignore signwiz Report Abuse Sounds interesting.
JoseM All-Star Author San Bernardino Posts:890 Points:605,010 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 9:53:34 PM Ignore JoseM Report Abuse Looks promising, simpler is better
abcdMA Champion Author Worcester Posts:5,634 Points:1,117,275 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 9:27:43 PM Ignore abcdMA Report Abuse next thing you know the paint on a car will be the solar panel too
woodeye55 Champion Author Gary Posts:4,671 Points:1,393,905 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 9:26:52 PM Ignore woodeye55 Report Abuse I'll go with the low-tech wet chemistry.
1Casey Champion Author Albany Posts:4,536 Points:1,422,110 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 9:25:10 PM Ignore 1Casey Report Abuse What took so long ?
hauler43 Champion Author Oakland Posts:7,154 Points:2,357,665 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 9:18:49 PM Ignore hauler43 Report Abuse Keep it simple.
DEG Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:15,412 Points:3,057,405 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 8:53:48 PM Ignore DEG Report Abuse Sometimes low-tech provides amazing results.
PissedCanuck Champion Author Toronto Posts:5,145 Points:1,194,750 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 8:40:03 PM Ignore PissedCanuck Report Abuse Shows that simple works.
jcurley Champion Author California Posts:5,650 Points:1,325,345 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 2:15:56 PM Ignore jcurley Report Abuse I love a good result from trial and error! I'm still curious. If this is in fact, true, what about the science behind this that makes a difference?
Mooseman1 Champion Author Manitoba Posts:7,306 Points:1,382,720 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 1:15:01 PM Ignore Mooseman1 Report Abuse Truly amazing how the most obvious is overlooked.
SVmike Champion Author California Posts:1,426 Points:307,850 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:53:31 PM Ignore SVmike Report Abuse Don't be looking for a major breakthrough. It is going to be small increment after small increment. The real improvement is going to be in reducing cost and improving longevity in order to make the (current) long payback time more cost effective. (i.e. can we make the payback period shorter and.or extend the lifetime once the payback time is reached.)
focusvt Champion Author Detroit Posts:5,083 Points:1,138,095 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:28:15 PM Ignore focusvt Report Abuse a major break through is getting closer.
tarheelcoastie Champion Author Greensboro Posts:3,014 Points:665,315 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:07:09 PM Ignore tarheelcoastie Report Abuse As God's Own Drunk once said, "So simple, it plum evaded me!"
teafortwo Champion Author Washington Posts:15,390 Points:926,180 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 11:20:12 AM Ignore teafortwo Report Abuse Works for me ;0) Here comes the sun.
Night Owl Champion Author Toronto Posts:5,285 Points:1,336,650 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 11:11:31 AM Ignore Night Owl Report Abuse The Kids Science Zone? Well, good to hear that solar-cell technology keeps improving.