Researchers use nanocubes for solar cells

Researchers from the American Duke University think they can increase the efficiency of solar cells with metamaterials made from silver nanocubes. Their production method would be relatively cheap compared to lithographic techniques.

The Duke researchers, led by Cristian Ciraci of Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering, are using metamaterials. The desired properties of that material are achieved by covering a thin gold coating with a very thin layer of insulating material, onto which nanocubes of silver are applied. The combination of those three components would ensure a great light-absorbing capacity of the material, so that it could be used, for example, as a solar cell deployed could become.

Although the gold coating itself is highly reflective, the silver nanocubes ensure strong absorption of the electromagnetic radiation. The cubes act as antennae that reflect back the light reflected by the gold layer. By adjusting the size and distribution of the silver nanocubes, the researchers can absorb different wavelengths. The construction of this metamaterial, so called for its ‘unnatural’ properties to bend light, would be much cheaper than the lithographic approach.