Organic Photovoltaic Cells Open Up New Opportunities

A research team from the University of Southern California has announced the creation of supple transparent carbon atom films that opens up vistas of creating a new type of solar cell. The publication appearing in the journal ACS Nano, has detailed the finding of organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells for creating cost effective solar energy.

According to the published report, graphene a known compound for many years incorporates exceptionally conductive and highly transparent translucent type of carbon containing atoms and thick sheets of carbon atoms found to have the potential of creating solar energy. Though the organic photovoltaic (OPV) appliances translate the solar radiation in to electricity, they are not as efficient as conventionally used silicon cells. The new cells were able to produce only 1.3 watts whereas the traditionally used cells produced 14 watts by utilizing the same power production area. But the new graphene cell  offsets it incompetence by producing solar power at a low price and flexibility of usage.

Further researchers are trying to use this inexpensive solar cell layers over news papers, magazines or over cloths to generate power. A research team from the University of Texas at Austin under Prof. Ruoff is studying the possibilities of introducing graphene based ultra capacitors for utilizing in a number of electronic devices and other related fields.