Thermoelectric materials hold promise for reducing costs in the photovoltaic industry

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Thermoelectric materials hold promise for reducing costs in the photovoltaic industry. http://www.cnmn.com.cn/ June 19, 2012 China Nonferrous Metals Network – an authoritative media platform for the nonferrous metals industry. Researchers at Columbia University in the United States have used a material based on quantum dots that allows electrons to pass through while preventing photons from doing so. This prevents heat from being transferred from the hot side of the thermoelectric material to the cold side, allowing a large voltage difference to be maintained between the two sides and thus improving the efficiency of the thermoelectric material. If this thermoelectric material is combined with photovoltaic power generation, and the light energy captured by it is used to heat water, the energy efficiency can reach 50%. 　　Charles Stafford from the University of Arizona in the United States also discovered a polyphenylene ethylene polymer; by selecting functional groups on the molecular chains, it is possible to direct the flow of electrons in a specific direction, with photons becoming trapped in this material like they are in a spider web. This can also achieve a solar energy utilization rate of 20%–25%, which is higher than that of existing photovoltaic power generation systems. More importantly, this polymer can be applied to roofs or walls just like ordinary paint, and after electrodes are attached to it, it can generate electricity from solar energy. 　　Against the backdrop of growing concern over energy and environmental issues, the effective integration of thermoelectric materials and solar power generation could serve as a viable solution to the cost and efficiency challenges facing the photovoltaic industry.