Revision of Progress in Electrochemical Solar Cells from Mon
Solar power generation has been produced in the form of electrochemical cells, (a principle everyone sees demonstrated in high school). A conventional electrochemical cell has two electrodes placed on either side of a liquid conductor, called the electrolyte. In a complete electrochemical cell, one half cell oxidizes (loses electrons, while the other Oakley Sunglasses Outlet Store gains (reduction). The increased differential dependent on the substances provides increased potential; when equilibrium is attained the cell no longer provides voltage.
In the early '90's a Swiss scientist named Graetzel created Oakley Sunglasses Outlet a solar cell based on the principle of photosynthesis. His cell had a titanium dioxide anode and a platinum cathode. The cathode semiconductor was placed at the bottom of the cell and was coated with a molecular dye that acted as chlorophyll. Sun passed through the platinum based cathode and the electrolyte solution and acted to withdraw electrons from the anode, which were transmitted through a wire creating Oakley Sunglasses Outlet Online electrical current. The cell was considered to have great potential but the electrolyte solution was very corrosive and opaque enough it inhibited the transmission of light. Furthermore the use of platinum made it prohibitive for mass production.
Now Professor Beno Marsan, who is based at Oakley Sunglasses Outlet Clearance Sale the Universit du Qu Montr has solved both of these problems with the solar electrochemical cell by creating a gel substance that is transparent and so increases the photovoltage. The platinum cathode has been replaced by cobalt sulphide, which is far less expensive.