Plant inspired nanoparticles have potential use in solar panels

Engineers and biologists from Surrey University have synthesised nanoparticles that mimic chlorophyll by absorbing light and converting it to usable energy with high efficiency.

Past approaches have not been able to match what nature achieves; the efficiency of light-absorbing pigments drops when tightly packed. In the study, Surrey’s researchers detail how they developed a unique synthetic pigment that keeps its fluorescent intensity longer.

In a statement, Michael Spencer, lead author of the study and PhD student at Surrey University, said: “In this study, we looked at how light is absorbed, enhanced and utilised in biological systems, and we have incorporated those mechanisms into our own hybrid devices.

“The performance of our device gives us hope that the solar panels of the future can ditch the use of toxic materials currently used to maintain their intensity."

Surrey’s new approach is said to use nanoparticles as a platform for the light absorbers, showing an enhanced efficiency under certain conditions and offering a controlled approach to the further study and eventual realisation of high-efficiency artificial light converters.