Superefficient Solar from Nanotubes

September 15, 2009 | Source: Technology Review

The carbon nanotube at center is connected to several electrodes and acts as a superefficient photovoltaic cell by converting energy from photons into electron movement instead of heat (AAAS/Science)

A photovoltaic cell made from a single carbon nanotube that can take advantage of more of the energy in light than conventional photovoltaics has been created by Cornell University researchers.