"Black Silicon" Advances Imaging, Solar Energy

waderoush writes "Forcing sulfur atoms into silicon using femtosecond laser pulses creates a material called 'black silicon' that is 100 to 500 times more sensitive to light than conventional silicon, in both the visible and infrared spectrums, according to SiOnyx, a venture-funded Massachusetts start-up that just emerged from stealth mode. Today's New York Times has a piece about the serendipitous discovery of black silicon inside the laboratory of Harvard physicist Eric Mazur. Meanwhile, a report in Xconomy explains how black silicon works and how SiOnyx and manufacturing partners hope to use it to build far more efficient photovoltaic cells and more sensitive detectors for medical imaging devices, surveillance satellites, and consumer digital cameras."

Comments

I've said it once, I've said it before

[Anonymous Coward]

It's African-American Silicon, you insensitive clods!

Re:I've said it once, I've said it before

[MrNaz]

Yea, we really need to be more sensitive to semiconductors of color. Say, 100 to 500 times more sensitive.

Just great...

[Waffle Iron]

Now I'm going to have to counteract this worrying news by expediting my research on black tinfoil.

Re:Who does that?

[DrMrLordX]

How many of them thought to utilize angry sea bass in the process? Hmm? Makes you wonder doesn't it?

Re:Whoa.

[EtherealFlaim]

We'll effectively be stealing energy that DIDN'T strike earth! Sucks to be anyone else harvesting energy from Sol...

Re:Current PV cells are already up to 40% efficien

[Hucko]

I'm sorry, I fail to see where the car fits in.

One step closer!

[Kingrames]

I'm one step closer to psionic powers!

Wait, nevermind, they said SiOnyx. :(