Energy News:
Giving Solar Cells a Boost With Organic Materials

A research team at the University of Connecticut has developed a gel that boosts the ability of solar cells to absorb energy from sunlight. The project, led by Professor Challa V. Kumar, uses a mixture of biodegradable materials to collect sunlight. Inspired by plant chlorophyll, Kumar's team mixed cow blood protein, coconut fatty acid, and organic dyes. When placed in a Gratzel solar cell, the gel increases the absorption of unused photons and the power output of the cell.

"Our vision is to integrate this technology into the manufacturing process of solar panels, which cost homeowners thousands of dollars, to make them more affordable and efficient," Kumar says.