More Efficient Solar Cells Thanks To CNT Films That Transmit Infrared Light
A thin film of carbon nanotubes is probably the most revolutionary material developed in the past twenty years and according to the scientists they haven’t “used” the material at its full potential and there is still a long way to go. Carbon nanotubes are useful in electronic displays, solar cells, and at other devices, but you should know that CNT thin films were used with light in the visible range. “Just in case” the scientists decided to explore their properties in infrared, and their results were very surprising.
The team of researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, tested single-walled carbon thin films in infrared and they noticed that they have the ability to transmit infrared waves. The infrared properties of the optically-transparent and electrically-conductive CNT thin films were investigated by physicists Liangbing Hu, David Hecht, and George Grüner from UCLA.
“This is the first time that the infrared properties of conductive CNT films are fully studied through measurement and calculations,” said Hu, co-author at the study.
In order to create the thin films of carbon nanotubes, the physicists dispersed CNTs in water using a surfactant, then the substance was sprayed on heated substrates which resulted in thin films of CNTs. After that, the researchers “shined” an infrared light on the CNT films and they noticed that the average transmittance rate of the carbon nanotube films was of about 90%. This high rate of transmittance means two things – the CNT films are not useful to block the heat, but they are useful to dissipate heat which means that they could have serious implications in solar cells. The nanotube films could prevent solar cells from overheating which will make them more efficient.
“One major application is the infrared solar cells, where transparent CNT films as well graphene films would allow the transmission of infrared energy to the active layer, which allows the fabrication of infrared solar cells,” said Hu.
This material made of nanotube films designed by the UCLA researchers has the lowest reflection rate compared to all other known materials which transmit infrared waves which means that it won’t need an anti-reflective coating. Also, the material is great as the CNT films transmit longer infrared wavelenghts which will make them useful for far-infrared-range applications.
When asked if the CNT films could have implications in other domains, Hu said that this material could be used in industrial and military applications. They could be used for infrared imaging or as modulators for fiber communications, but for the moment the reseachers are planning to build an infrared camera using the CNT thin films. This is only a first step, and the research is still at early stages and looking at these promising results, the scientists are very confident that the infrared nanotube films will offer many advantages in the future.
We are on the very cusp of a new nano-world. We will soon be a Solar powered nation, beholden to no one. We will never have to send our sons and daughters to slaughter to suit Arab and Saudi Princes, fancies, again. The “worm” has turned. The “Oil Barons” no longer rule! We needed population control in the U.S.A. just to hold par with Asians like China, and now with new abortion laws and active education programs about to be initiated we will have it. Solar cells with higher efficiencies will be readily adopted by all in the sunny parts of North America, combined with an abundance of Wind power development, and a high and strict “carbon” tax, soon to come, we will be propelled into an era of financing Science, such as nanotube development as never before. America can only reach greatness by importing intelligentsia from Asia, as indigent populations, under the most coddled circumstances in history have proven themselves not up to the task, and rather be easy breeding “cannon fodder” than reach academic excellence, even the President admits U.S. schools woefully lack in comparison the the rest of the world, where schooling is a year-round, survival dependent endeavor, not a social club for illicit sex and sports games. The base mentality and propagandization of the American population determines this, and depends on Capitalistic ideals and pseudo-morals, not realities of life. Turn this around, and propagandize , or truthfully express Science, Physics and Math as a new “religion” and you will turn America around. Remember the Chemistry Sets and Microscopes from Sears catalogs of the 50′s? We must get back there, and get Science at the forefront of education, substituting it in for law studies and business degrees, and very very soon, if we are to only compete in the new age.