Matthew Stone, NextGen Nano’s Chairman and founder, has specialised in biomass processing and clean energy technology for over 12 years. NextGen Nano recently accomplished significant advancements in the field, developing a new generation of OPVs.
Organic Photovoltaic Devices
Organic Photovoltaic devices, or OPVs, essentially convert sunlight into electricity. An OPV device typically consists of several layers of photoactive materials which are sandwiched between two electrodes.
In the global transition to greener fuels, scientists constantly strive to make solar energy as accessible and efficient as possible. Some of the most exciting research in the field today focuses on the development of thin, flexible solar panels comprising organic solar cells.
Traditional solar cells are generally made of silicon, while OPVs are composed of carbon-based materials and organic electronics. These compounds are typically diluted in ink and printed onto thin strips of plastic, meaning that OPVs can be incorporated into more structures than traditional crystalline photovoltaics due to their dynamic nature. OPVs can even be used to make solar power windows.
This exciting new technology is still in its formative stages, with far to go before OPVs can match the efficiencies demonstrated by traditional, silicon-based solar cells. Nevertheless, given the flexibility of OPVs, they show vast potential. Given the variety of applications for OPV technology, it may not be long before they enter the mainstream in solar energy generating technology
OPVs are economical to produce and extremely versatile physically. Once performance is refined, many experts believe they could potentially overtake tradition crystalline cells.
NextGen Nano
NextGen Nano is a high-tech nanotechnology specialist striving to develop and deliver green technologies with the ultimate goal of reducing reliance on finite materials and pollutants.
The organisation has invested heavily in developing breakthrough technology, replacing existing solutions with earth-friendly polymers to produce low-cost and efficient solar cells.
Since OPVs are much more dynamic than their traditional silicon counterparts, they can be used in a variety of applications, including flexible surfaces, making this new form of solar panel more usable and cost-effective than ever before.
NextGen’s advanced technology could potentially transform existing markets and pave the way for new ones, with potential uses including the electric vehicle, aviation, shipping, electronics, and military hardware markets.
A New Generation of Solar Cells
A team of researchers from NextGen Nano recently achieved a major step in the development of new OPV technology, incorporating a relatively simple material called HSolar as an interconnecting layer within its solar cells.
Duncan Clark, NextGen Nano’s Director of Operations, explained that widespread use of this technology needs to be accelerated to ensure a brighter and more sustainable future.
This new generation of solar cells shows increased stability and efficiency in tests replicated by several independent research groups. Industry experts point out that the accomplishment is a critical step in improving efficiency of OPVs.
Led by Dr Carr Ho and Dr Franky So, NextGen Nano’s team demonstrated that it could increase power conversion efficiency by up to 22% with this new, state-of-the-art OPV.
With countries all over the world vying to win the ‘green race’, NextGen Nano’s innovations show vast promise, potentially marking the start of a new era of flexible and efficient solar devices.
