Improved devices may make better use of sunlight
MOST of the power generated by mankind originates from the sun. It was sunlight that nurtured the early life that became today's oil, gas and coal. It is the solar heating of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans that fuels wave power, wind farms and hydroelectric schemes. But using the sun's energy directly to generate power is rare. Solar cells account for less than 1% of the world's electricity production. Recent technological improvements, however, may boost this figure. The root of the problem is that most commercial solar cells are made from silicon, and silicon is expensive. Cells can be made from other, cheaper materials, but these are not as efficient as those made from silicon.

Sunny Outlook For Nanosilicon Solar Power Window
Octillion says it has entered into a Sponsored Research Agreement with scientists at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign for the development of a new patent-pending technology using nanosilicon photovoltaic solar cells that could convert normal home and office glass windows into ones capable of converting solar energy into electricity. Limited loss of transparency and minimal changes in manufacturing infrastructure are among the advantages envisioned for this new technology.

Solar Energy to Convert Carbon Dioxide into A Useful Fuel
It is the biggest contributor to climate change. Now chemists are hoping to convert carbon dioxide into a useful fuel, with a little help from the sun. If they succeed, it will be possible to recycle the greenhouse gas produced by burning fossil fuels. The work could also lead to a way for future Mars missions to generate fuel for their return journey from carbon dioxide in the planet’s atmosphere. Chemists have long hoped to find a method of bringing the combustion of fuel full circle by turning CO2 back into useful hydrocarbons. Now researchers at the University of Messina in Italy have developed an electrocatalytic technique they say could do the job. “The conversion of CO2 to fuel is not a dream, but an effective possibility which requires further research,” says team leader Gabriele Centi.