“Organic solar cells offer the potential for clean, renewable energy at
an affordable price,” said
Organic solar cells are made out of plastic-like polymers that serve as electron donors and are combined with fullerene nanomaterials, which serve as electron acceptors. Organic solar cells weigh less and are cheaper to manufacture compared to conventional inorganic silicon-based solar cells, which are presently favored by the solar industry. An existing disadvantage of organic solar cells is the efficiency at which they convert sunlight to electricity. Luna’s solar cells use patented carbon nanomaterials to capture more energy in the photovoltaic process, which increases the organic solar cell efficiency.
“Our research demonstrates an entirely new approach of enhancing OPV device performance by using improved acceptor materials, and expands an area of OPV research that has remained relatively stagnant over the last decade,” said Dr. Drees. “Luna’s novel acceptor materials operate at high conversion efficiencies and are an excellent complement to the fast growing semi-conductive-polymer field. This demonstration is a significant advancement towards making practical organic solar cell devices.”
This paper is an example of Luna’s work in materials that could produce alternative energy forms. The company is focusing on integrating its carbon nanomaterial technology into the products of solar cell manufacturers making commercially viable products. Luna’s nanomaterials have been independently verified at NREL as setting a new record for efficiency of the commercially available P3HT organic solar cell polymer. Luna continues its work to further optimize organic solar cell performance through government-funded technology development programs.
Luna’s research efforts were supported by the
The paper in Nature Materials was scheduled for Advance Online
Publication at http://www.nature.com/materials/,
beginning on
About
About Nature Materials:
Nature Materials is a monthly multi-disciplinary journal aimed at bringing together cutting-edge research across the entire spectrum of materials science and engineering.
Forward Looking Statements:
This release includes information that constitutes "forward-looking
statements" made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding
the increased energy efficiencies of Luna’s nanomaterials, the potential
for affordable solar energy, possible performance enhancements, and
progress towards the commercialization of organic solar cells. Actual
results may differ materially from the expectations expressed in such
forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including
technical difficulties with OPV cells, polymer systems or Luna’s
nanomaterials, cost issues, competition from alternative, more
affordable energy sources, and risks and uncertainties set forth in the
company's periodic reports and other filings with the
Disclaimer: Luna’s research efforts were supported by NSF Grants
IIP-0740454 and 0348955 and
Source:
Luna Innovations Incorporated
Media:
Karin Clark
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Investors:
Dale
Messick
1-540-769-8400
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