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Carbon Nanotube Solar Cells On the Horizon

Posted by timothy on from the on-the-horizon-they're-closest-to-the-sun dept.

MikeChino writes Carbon nanotube news abounds as of late, and the next application for the up and coming material may be hyper-efficient and economical solar cells. Led by professor Paul McEuen, researchers at Cornell recently tested a simple solar cell (called a photodiode) crafted from a single carbon nanotube. Surprisingly, researchers discovered that more light shined on the nanotube created even more electricity, a huge difference from today's silicon solar cells where excess energy is lost in the form of heat rather than used to create more electricity."

5 of 150 comments (clear)

  1. Homer says... by Azghoul · · Score: 4, Funny

    Carbon nanotubes... is there anything they _can't_ do?

    1. Re:Homer says... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      They have yet to get me a date with Megan Fox.

    2. Re:Homer says... by idontgno · · Score: 4, Funny

      We need a huge ticker-tape parade for our hero, Inanimate Carbon Nanotube.

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  2. Again with the #$##%# solar cells by McGregorMortis · · Score: 4, Funny

    Not a week goes by that you don't hear about yet another breakthrough in cheap and efficient solar cells. Every week, without fail, since 1979, I swear to God. Any more grains of salt, and I'll have a heart attack.

  3. Re:The technology isn't important by kheldan · · Score: 5, Funny

    The question is, it it cost-effective?

    If someone developed a 99% efficient solar cell, would you really care what it cost?

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