Nanotubes, Nanostructures and Solar Cells

Nanotechnology is the key to new solar cells devices in search of sustainable and renewable sources of energy.Although silicon cells based on solid-state p-n junction devices have dominated the field, they are inherently expensive.Thus, a "promising third generation" of photovoltaic (plastic solar cells, dye sensitized solar cell, nano-technology cell, and the hybrids) has been researched; and are beginning to enter the market.Dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is a promising generation concept for achieving efficient solar-to-electric energy conversion with inexpensive materials and manufacturing processes.The presentation will include the synthesis and characterization of nanoscale materials devices for DSSC and on some of the more novel approaches to photovoltaic power generation using nanotubes and nanostructures.