A group of engineers and biologists from the University of Surrey have synthesized nanoparticles that mimic the action of chlorophyll (the green plant pigment in most plants) in nature – they absorb light and convert it into usable energy with high efficiency, Cell Reports Physical Science informed.
Past approaches could not match what nature has achieved; the effectiveness of light-absorbing pigments decreases with dense packing. In the study, Surrey scientists detail how they developed a unique synthetic plant pigment that retains fluorescence intensity longer.
Michael Spencer, lead author of the study and PhD student at the University of Surrey, said: “Mother Nature has a lot to teach us as we all think about getting our planet back to health. In this study, we have looked at how light is absorbed, amplified, and used in biological systems, and we have incorporated these mechanisms into our own. hybrid devices.
“The performance of our device gives us hope that the solar panels of the future will be able to eliminate the use of toxic materials currently used to maintain their power.” Surrey’s new approach uses nanoparticles as a platform for light absorbers, demonstrating improved efficiency under certain conditions and offering a controlled approach to further study and possible implementation of high-performance artificial light converters.
Professor Ravi Silva, director of the Institute of Advanced Technology at the University of Surrey, said: “Solar panels are an important part of our journey to zero carbon; we need to think outside the box if future high-efficiency solar panels are to realize their full potential.”
The creative thinking displayed by this team is exactly what it takes to make solar energy meet and exceed expectations. Deployment of solar technology could be decades faster than nuclear is currently, and even in the UK solar power generation costs are much cheaper.