Will nano flakes revolutionize the solar industry?

While working on his PhD thesis at the University of Copenhagen, Martin Aagesen discovered a new solar cell material with a perfect crystalline structure. That material has come to be known as nano flakes, and many in the industry believe it could spark a revolution. Aagesen believes nano flakes could potentially convert up to 30 percent of the solar energy they absorb into electricity, in part because their perfect crystalline structure absorbs all light.

That amazing talent could make nano flakes the perfect solar cell material. Given the relative inefficiency (although improving steadily) of current solar cells, a "perfect" solar cell would certainly revolutionize the industry. Furthermore, their excellent structure and nanoscale technology should make nano flakes more affordable than other cells because less of the semiconducting material - the most expensive solar cell ingredient - is needed.

That said, nano flake solar cells are still primarily in development. It is much too early to say for sure whether they will revolutionize the solar industry, but the pieces are there. If researchers like Aagesen succeed in developing a 30-percent efficient solar cell, it will, to say the least, change the face of the industry and send solar energy soaring into the limelight.