Nanotechnology, shortened to "Nanotech," is the study of the control
of matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Generally nanotechnology deals with
structures of the size 100 nanometers or smaller, and involves developing materials
or devices within that size.
Nanotechnology is very diverse, ranging from novel extensions of conventional
device physics, to completely new approaches based upon molecular self-assembly,
to developing new materials with dimensions on the nanoscale, even to speculation
on whether we can directly control matter on the atomic scale.
Although nanotechnology is a relatively recent development in scientific research,
the development of its central concepts happened over a longer period of time.
Photovoltaic (PV) is the field of technology and research related to the application
of solar cells for energy by converting sun energy (sunlight or sun ultra violet
radiation) directly into electricity. Due to the growing demand for clean sources
of energy, the manufacture of solar cells and photovoltaic arrays has expanded
dramatically in recent years.
The coming together of these two technologies has become the talk of the town
lately.
This report looks at how nanotechnology is changing the field of photovoltaic
innovation.
From the basics of nanotech to the basics of photovoltaic, this report looks
at how nanotech is making possible new developments in the solar PV industry.
Posted September 16th, 2009
