[Paul Nollen]

De Graetzel cel is nog altijd mijn favoriete ontwikkeling

http://www.millenniumprize.fi/news/1...lls/d,news_en/

In 1989, by mimicking the processes in natural photosynthesis, Swiss chemist Michael Grätzel managed to build a type of solar cell that was completely new. In June 2010, when he received the Millennium Technology Grand Prize for his research, he expressed his gratitude to the global research community for developing his innovation further.

"There are at least 10,000 research papers in the dye-sensitised solar field. A world-wide community is now tackling the research issues," he said.

One of these researchers is Professor Peter Lund from Finland's Aalto University. Led by Professor Lund, the university's New Energy Technologies group began its research into Grätzel cells in 2000. Ten researchers are now employed on the subject and three dissertations are on their way. "Interest in researching Grätzel's technology has risen dramatically in the past five years," says Lund.

In February 2010, Professor Lund was searching for an opponent for a doctoral thesis being prepared by one of his researchers. Minna Toivola's work dealt with the preparation of Grätzel cells on steel surfaces and Lund decided to invite the best expert available. To his surprise, Professor Grätzel, busy father of the technology, accepted the assignment. He had just heard that he was one of the 2010 Millennium Technology Prize Laureates.

In April 2010, as opponent at the public defence of Toivola's dissertation, Professor Grätzel became familiar with Finnish research into his innovation. Researchers at the Aalto University had achieved very promising cell efficiencies for Grätzel cells manufactured on steel plate. When the method is ready for mass production, roofing components could be coated with energy-harvesting Grätzel cells at minimal extra cost.

Using building materials for electricity generation is one of the most promising applications for Grätzel's technology. The European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) estimates that 40% of all building roofs and 15% of all building facades in Europe are suitable for photovoltaic applications. In purely technical terms, roofs alone could generate up to 40% of total EU demand for electricity by 2020.

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Paul