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Solar Cells Made From a Spreadable Nanoparticle Paste

An anonymous reader writes "Researchers at Notre Dame have created a nanoparticle paste, which acts as the main ingredient in solar cells that are very easy to construct. In a short video clip, they can be seen assembling a functional solar cell with little more than a heat gun, tape, and some binder clips. The paste is made from a mix of t-butanol, water, and a mix of cadmium selenide with cadmium sulfide nanoparticles. So far, the experimental devices are not nearly as efficient as standard solar cells, but they were just developed. If the materials were slightly less toxic, it might even be a project that kids could do at home."

4 of 66 comments (clear)

  1. Huge breakthrough! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    We can now make ineffective solar cells from horrendously toxic materials, this is a step up from our previous efforts to produce ineffective solar cells using non-toxic and mildy toxic materials.

  2. Fake jewelry by Ironchew · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Ah ha!" a Chinese government spokesperson reportedly said. "The only way to save the planet is to melt our cadmium-laden kids' jewelry into a toothpaste-like substance. Bet you never saw that coming."

  3. China Will Win: Kids There Play With Cadmium Now by theshowmecanuck · · Score: 4, Funny

    This is why the west will never catch up with China. They are so forward thinking and innovative they have had their kids playing with Cadmium, Lead, and other heavy metals for years now. How can we possibly compete?

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  4. Re:China Will Win: Kids There Play With Cadmium No by theshowmecanuck · · Score: 4, Funny

    Heck, a few decades ago kids were still playing with the mercury from broken thermometers here. Now the nanny state liberals tell us oooooooo mercury is bad for you. Bah! It never affected me. Now, why is a raven like a writing desk?

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    -- I ignore anonymous replies to my comments and postings.