Scientists at RIT’s NanoPower Research Laboratories led by
director Ryne Raffaelle have received a $847,109 grant from the
U.S. Department of Defense to develop improved solar cells. The
project aims to take current solar cells used for space power
to the next level by developing nanostructured materials.
Raffaelle’s team will use nanoscale crystals known as quantum
dots to alter the way a solar cell absorbs light and converts it
into electricity. Augmenting current solar cell technology with an
array of quantum dots will enhance the cell’s short-circuit
current and improve overall efficiency.
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