Apr 27 2010
Researchers at Universitat Jaume I of Castelló headed by Juan Bisquert have won an opportunity to conduct a technological and scientific research project titled ‘solares nanodiseñadas de bajo coste basadas en nanocristales semiconductores’ or ‘Low cost nanodesigned solar cells based on semiconductor nanocrystals’ on novel types of nanotechnology-based solar cells. The Ministry of Science and Innovation will fund €25,000 for this project for duration of three years. The project will be conducted as part of the Spanish National R&D Internationalisation Programme. The main aim of the project is to enhance collaboration between Japan and Spain in the areas of new materials and nanotechnologies for sustainable development and environmental challenges.
Totally, 61 proposals for carrying out projects were submitted. Out of that, eight projects will receive funding. Apart from Universitat Jaume I, the University of Alicante, the Technical University of Madrid, the University of Castilla La Mancha and numerous laboratories of the Spanish Council for Scientific investigations will conduct projects.
The research team at the Universitat Jaume I will focus on nanocompounds and new materials that can play a crucial role in photovoltaic conversion. Novel solar cells based on small material components named ‘quantum dots’, which are semiconductor units, will be given special attention.
The project will study the usage of nanocrystals for converting light into electrical energy efficiently, which necessitates integrating the nanocrystals within appropriate structures so as to produce solid durable devices. The development on the project will be based on studies conducted by Bisquert group’s Iván Mora Seró and also in partnership with a team headed by Japan’s Taro Toyoda.