Sep 14 2009
RoseStreet Labs Energy (RSLE) scientists announced a leap forward in generating hydrogen gas directly from sunlight by a photoelectrochemical cell (PEC). This hydrogen fuel is generated spontaneously in a single device without external power and without petroleum products such as natural gas. Hydrogen gas is a key resource for next generation hydrogen fueled cars, and also a key component in the renewable process of harvesting biofuels and biodiesel for replacement of oil based gasolines and jet fuels.
RSLE's discovery is coupled with RSLE's Full Spectrum photovoltaic development which is expected to start field trials in late 2010 with +25% efficiencies. Full Spectrum technology is primarily based on Nitride Thin Film semiconductors which have excellent robustness to extreme environments including solar radiation, heat and corrosive environments. RSLE's photoelectrochemical cell development is targeting the high performance terrestrial market for renewable energy.
Bob Forcier, CEO of RSLE, stated, "We are excited about this new development in capturing the full spectrum of the sun for not only instantaneous power generation, but also for energy storage via liquefied hydrogen or to assist the emerging biofuel and biodiesel efforts. Although this is a significant milestone in our scientific research in Nitride Thin Film photovoltaics, it also represents the opportunity to commercialize this technology to the next level with RoseStreet's partners."
Wladek Walukiewicz, CTO of RSLE, announced, "I am pleased with the great strides we have made in this Nitride Thin Film photoelectrochemical cell technology working with our distributed R&D teams. We are accelerating our efforts in carbon-free Full Spectrum photovoltaics and photoelectrochemical cells for the high performance energy market."
RoseStreet Labs Energy, Inc. (RSLE) is a privately held firm headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. RSLE is commercializing full spectrum photovoltaic devices for high performance applications. RoseStreet Labs LLC, the parent company of RSLE, is a privately held supplier of products and services for the renewable energy, semiconductor and life science markets.