Advanced Research Development
Inc., the United States, has developed a new solar
film technology that provides extremely low-cost,
efficient, pollution-free solar electric power. Lumeloid
Solar Film is a new solar energy technology with the
potential to provide very low cost, efficient, nonpolluting
solar electric power. ‘Lumeloid’ solar film’s
theoretical sunlight-to-energy conversion efficiency
is 72 per cent, nearly three times that of solar cells.
Lumeloid, classified as a polymeric
photovoltaic device, is constructed using inexpensive,
non-toxic polymer materials. It comprises a photovoltaic
polarized film on a Mylar substrate with microelectronic
circuitry. The finished product consists of a thin film,
about 0.3 microns thick, on a ow-cost plastic roll.
Lumeloid exploits the same technique used by radio antennae
to absorb radio waves, except that the former absorbs
nano-scale visible waves in a process that in part mimics
photosynthesis. The linear light polarizing molecules
in the film act as the antennae to absorb energy of
a resolved component of photons incident on the film.
This creates energized electrons that are converted
to unidirectional voltage and current through nano-scale
diodes chemically bound to the light polarizing molecules.
Contact:
Advanced Research Development Inc.,
359R Main Street, Athol,
MA 01331, the United States.
Tel: +1 (978) 2494 696;
Fax: +1 (978) 2490 015;
E-mail: amm@ardev.com
