Thesis (M. Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 68-70). / The crude oil supply crisis the world is facing today along with the disastrous global warming caused primarily as a result the green house gases, has heightened the need for an eco-friendly and renewable energy technology. Solar cells, with their ability to convert the free and gigantic energy supply of the sun into electricity, are one such attractive choice. In this thesis, a study of the use of new technologies for enhanced solar cell performance based on conversion efficiency is carried out by first understanding the mechanism of selected major solar cell types, followed by an analysis of external or internal factors that affect their performance. One new technology under investigation to boost solar cell efficiency is the introduction of nanorod/wire structures into existing designs. This report discusses this approach in detail, highlighting beneficial characteristics offered and also looking into the structure realization through advanced nanostructure processing techniques. Finally, having a complete technology background at hand, various potential markets for new solar cell technologies are examined. / by Bertha Tan. / M.Eng.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:MIT/oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/42160 |
| Date | January 2007 |
| Creators | Tan, Bertha |
| Contributors | Carl V. Thompson., Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering., Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering. |
| Publisher | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| Source Sets | M.I.T. Theses and Dissertation |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 70 p., application/pdf |
| Rights | M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission., http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582 |
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