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Article: New method lights a path for solar cells.(cell containingliquid crystal peri-hesabenzocoronene and organic dye perylene)(Brief Article)
- Article from:
- Science News
- Article date:
- August 11, 2001
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2001 Science Service, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Using a technique in which chemical ingredients assemble themselves, a research team has developed a potentially inexpensive way of making solar cells. So far, high cost has hampered the large-scale use of solar energy systems.
Solar cells, also known as photovoltaic cells, transform photons into electric current without producing pollution. Commercially available solar cells already convert sunlight efficiently enough for certain applications, such as satellites, notes J. Devin MacKenzie of the University of Cambridge in England.
The widespread use of solar power has been elusive because it can be difficult and costly to manufacture the commercial ...