Dyesol: Titanium Solar Cell
by Tim McGee, Helena, MT, USA on 06.30.05
Dyesol announced their 'float' and IPO on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) this week. Much to my enjoyment, Dyesol has taken my advice and created a biomimic of photosynthesis. Although not exactly the way I had envisioned, but then again they have been working on titanium dioxide based solar cells for a decade. The titanium dioxide is cheaper and cleaner to manufacture then traditional silicon solar cells. And while their unique dye seems expensive to me, the technology is poised to help revolutionize solar energy (I know I've said this about others, but it's a rapidly growing field...)
Dyesol technology mimics the biology of plants. Plants (according to Dyesol) aren't extremely efficient at converting all light to energy, but are effective at capturing energy over a wide range of light conditions. This was the inspiration that set them apart. The use of a dye system enables the technology to work in lower light levels then traditional PV.
The construction of the cell is pretty straight forward- and nicely summarized by dyesol:
"In basic realization a Dye Solar Cell comprises a layer of nano-particulate titania (TiO 2) formed on a transparent electrically conducting substrate and photosensitized by a monolayer of dye. An electrolyte, based on an Iodine - Tri-iodide redox system is placed between the layer of photosensitized titania and a second electrically conducting catalytic substrate."
Dyesol hopes to be a leader in the third generation of solar cells, and is expecting to work with major manufacturing companies to further develop and enhance this groundbreaking technology. By using inexpensive and ecologically friendly materials, Dyesol moves forward with a light touch.::Dyesol
Unfortunately Titanium Dioxide production produces 2 kinds of waste. First sands used for filling propouses and second heavy metals which need to be contained and sealed away from ambient.
The idea is great but it can not be as "metaefficient" as everything should.
Hi, I've read in another forum that the electrolyte component in this solution suffers from potential leakage and drying up - shortening the effective usable life - do you have a view on this potential issue?
I can't find any numbers for the efficiency of these cells - not even on the Dyesol site.
Have they been evaluated by an independent lab?
How do they compare with existing technology?
i posted something on my blog recently about this company and the associated technologies involved, plenty of info in the links.
http://kurtrudder.blogspot.com/2006/02/dye-solar-cells.html