Most of us hate to see a sunny day go to waste, but University
of Ottawa researcher Karin Hinzer is actually doing something
about it. The work of her SUNLAB research group is focused on
making solar panels more efficient so that they capture more of
the sun's energy. The typical solar cell loses energy through
reflection and the generation of heat. Plus, it only captures
one band on the spectrum of the sun's energy—visible light.
However, invisible bands, such as ultra violet and infrared, are
just as rich in energy. Dr. Hinzer's group studies semiconductor
quantum dots that can capture the entire solar spectrum. "Most
solar cells in use right now are only about 20 per cent
efficient at most," says Dr. Hinzer. "We are working in
collaboration with companies in creating marketable products
that are up to 40 per cent efficient—and we're now aiming for 50
per cent." Dr. Hinzer's team has been one of the pioneers in
using nanotechnology to boost performance and absorb more
energy. The team also improved solar ce