Infrared-sensitive material may capture 30 percent of Sun’s radiant energy

January 11, 2005 | Source: KurzweilAI

Researchers have invented a spray-on infrared-sensitive material, using nanoparticles, that signficantly extends the ability to capture the Sun’s energy.

According to professor Peter Peumans of Stanford University, “Our calculations show that, with further improvements in efficiency, combining infrared and visible photovoltaics could allow up to 30 per cent of the sun’s radiant energy to be harnessed, compared to six per cent in today’s best plastic solar cells.”

The material could be used to make “smart” walls responsive to the environment in a room, a digital camera sensitive enough to work in the dark, or clothing with the capacity to turn the sun’s power into electrical energy.

University of Toronto news release