Green Technology

Lei Zhai, UCF associate professor, has been recognized for his research into the application of nanotechnology to the solar energy conversion process in polymer cells.  …

…   “This week he was selected for a Scialog Award, which includes a $100,000 prize to support his proposed solar energy conversion research.

Zhai is building nano-scale columns of conductive polymers to improve the efficiency of polymer solar cells.

Each Scialog proposal was subject to peer review and only those proposals seen as highly innovative and with the potential to transform the field of solar energy conversion were selected for awards.”   …

Via University of Central Florida: Nanotech Solar Power.

Scialog Awards in solar conversion.

Scialog focuses on funding early career scientists and building research teams to undertake groundbreaking studies in solar energy conversion.

UCF research samples:

Lei Zhai’s research video library.

The Nanoscience Technology Center at UCF.

References on the use of polymers for solar applications:

Photovoltaic cells based on conductive polymers (PDF).

Photoelectrochemical Solar Energy Conversion Based on Conducting Polymers (PDF).