Paul Scherrer Institute

Lithium-Ion Batteries Aren’t So Bad After All

A Swiss research group has proven that we don’t need to rush to reinvent batteries. They have improved the performance of conventional lithium ion batteries without even changing the chemical composition.
ANU laser

Impurities Improve the Performance of Lasers

Scientists at Australian National University (ANU) accidentally improved the performance of nanolasers. The researchers’ findings could form the foundation for inexpensive biomedical sensors, quantum computing, and faster wireless communications.
ICFO

Working Toward Safer, Cheaper Solar Cells

Researchers at The Institute of Photonic Sciences searched for photovoltaic technology that is thin, low-cost, flexible, and environmentally friendly, so that sustainable energy could be installed in more locations. They have developed a new kind of solar cell that is non-toxic, easy to produce, and made with abundant materials.
research

Could Gold and Diamond-Like Carbon Make Inexpensive, Efficient Solar Cells?

Researchers from the Universities of Bristol and Exeter in the UK are developing inexpensive, high efficiency solar cells made of gold and diamond-like (amorphous) carbon. They created a cell that can potentially reach much higher temperatures than traditional surfaces because it can minimize the emission of thermal radiation.