http://phys.org/news/2015-10-scientific-breakthrough-cheaper-environmentally-friendly.html
Currently, solar panels are somewhat expensive as they use a rare metal, ruthenium. Limitations are being placed on a limitless energy source because of this, and with an ever-growing need for cleaner energy, finding a replacement for ruthenium is becoming increasingly important. Without much success, scientists have been trying to replace the metal with iron. For years, there was no breakthrough. Finally, the Chemistry Department in Lund was able to produce an iron-based dye that is able to work at almost 100% as well as ruthenium, creating a cheaper yet effective solar panel. While the research and experimentation process is not quite complete, hopes are high. In fact, there are even possibilities of using this technology for solar fuels, or the production of fuels using a similar process to photosynthesis.
This research is especially promising, as it no longer gives regular people the excuse of solar panels being to expensive to implement. Making eco-friendly choices cheaper is an imperative step in creating a mass-movement towards environmentally efficient and friendly energy and fuels. It also unlocks the possibility of even more uses for solar energy, which could potentially be applied to things like cars, airplanes, and trains, among other forms of transportation.
Currently, solar panels are somewhat expensive as they use a rare metal, ruthenium. Limitations are being placed on a limitless energy source because of this, and with an ever-growing need for cleaner energy, finding a replacement for ruthenium is becoming increasingly important. Without much success, scientists have been trying to replace the metal with iron. For years, there was no breakthrough. Finally, the Chemistry Department in Lund was able to produce an iron-based dye that is able to work at almost 100% as well as ruthenium, creating a cheaper yet effective solar panel. While the research and experimentation process is not quite complete, hopes are high. In fact, there are even possibilities of using this technology for solar fuels, or the production of fuels using a similar process to photosynthesis.
This research is especially promising, as it no longer gives regular people the excuse of solar panels being to expensive to implement. Making eco-friendly choices cheaper is an imperative step in creating a mass-movement towards environmentally efficient and friendly energy and fuels. It also unlocks the possibility of even more uses for solar energy, which could potentially be applied to things like cars, airplanes, and trains, among other forms of transportation.