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Efficiency of solar cells with platinum nanodots improved, says scientist

An Israeli scientist who used platinum nanodots to improve the efficiency of solar cells claims to have further developed the method -a discovery that he says could make solar cells more viable.

Last year, Professor Arie Zaban, head of Bar-Ilan University's Nanotechnology Institute, was granted a patent for his method, which used platinum nanodots on the cells.

The technique resulted in photovoltaic cells of one square centimetre in size, eetimes.com reports.

Professor Zaban said: "Initially, we created linked arrays of very small cells, which led to a loss of efficiency because the sunlight hitting the space between the cells was not converted to electricity."

However, now he claims to have improved the efficiency of the technique, so that he is able to produce a cell measuring 10cm by 10cm, with the extra surface area able to more efficiently capture the sun's energy.

Professor Zaban said: "Initially, we created linked arrays of very small cells, which led to a loss of efficiency because the sunlight hitting the space between the cells was not converted to electricity."

Professor Zaban outlined his method of producing platinum nanodots last year, and in so doing claimed that he has cut the amount of platinum needed by a factor of 40.

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