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you are here: Research
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| Alternative Fuel Research in High
Gear at University of Toledo |
| By Tobin
J. Klinger |
Email this article |
| Jan 11,
2002 |
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As the Bush
administration makes a strong move toward
embracing alternative fuels, researchers at The
University of Toledo are leading the charge in
photovoltaic technology, designed to convert
sunlight into electricity through tiny
semiconductor devices known as solar cells.
Scientists believe this work could have a dramatic
impact on the automotive industry.
A Jan. 9
announcement by U.S. Energy Secretary Spencer
Abraham at the North American International Auto
Show in Detroit is again drawing attention to the
potential of solar cell research, particularly its
role in developing clean methods for generating
hydrogen fuels for hydrogen-powered automobiles.
According to an Associated Press report, the Bush
administration has entered into "a pact with the
auto industry to promote development of
pollution-free cars and trucks powered by hydrogen
fuel cells."
The University of Toledo
recently received a major award from the U.S.
Department of Defense Advanced Research Program to
provide a significant expansion for UT's
photovoltaic energy initiative. Ohio Congresswoman
Marcy Kaptur helped secure the funding for UT's
high-tech energy initiative, which is one of 10
major defense-related projects in the country to
receive research money. Since 1988, UT has been
awarded around $7 million to pursue photovoltaic
research.
Dr. Alvin Compaan, professor of
physics and astronomy and director of the Center
of Materials Science and Engineering, and Dr.
Xunming Deng, associate professor of physics and
astronomy, along with UT faculty Dr. Victor
Karpov, Dr. Dean Giolando and Dr. Randy Bohn and
postdoctoral and graduate students, are working
toward further innovation in this area, known as
photovoltaic power. According to the researchers,
wide- spread applications of low-cost thin-film
photovoltaics, combined with conservation
measures, have the potential to lead to energy
independence.
Deng's work has already
received considerable attention from the auto
industry. Recently, he and his fellow researchers
delivered a variety of triple-junction amorphous-
silicon solar cell devices to General Motors.
These devices are specially designed for hydrogen
generation from the sunlight and water. In
addition to General Motors, Deng is working with
the University of Hawaii, under a grant from the
Department of Energy's hydrogen program, to
fabricate novel photovoltaic devices with enough
voltage to efficiently split water under sunlight
to generate hydrogen.
"This is one of the
cleanest ways to produce hydrogen," Deng explains.
"There's no pollution in the entire process."
Meanwhile, Deng is also developing a
method to make amorphous-silicon solar cells
faster with the hot wire deposition process. "Our
goal is to make high-efficiency solar cells at a
higher rate," he says. "Once we accomplish that,
we hope to transfer that technology to industry
for mass production of amorphous-silicon solar
panels at low cost."
Solar cells have
limitless potential. For example, Compaan is
developing the next generation of solar panels
that could be used as building roofs and exteriors
to generate electricity.
"The market for
solar panels is growing by 30 percent a year,"
says Compaan. "It's one of the fastest-growing
industries."
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