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Alternative Fuel Research in High Gear at University of Toledo |
| By
Tobin J. Klinger |
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Jan 11, 2002 |
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As the Bush administration makes a strong move toward embracing alternative fuels, researchers at The University of Toledo are leading the charge in photovoltaic technology, designed to convert sunlight into electricity through tiny semiconductor devices known as solar cells. Scientists believe this work could have a dramatic impact on the automotive industry.
A Jan. 9 announcement by U.S. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit is again drawing attention to the potential of solar cell research, particularly its role in developing clean methods for generating hydrogen fuels for hydrogen-powered automobiles. According to an Associated Press report, the Bush administration has entered into "a pact with the auto industry to promote development of pollution-free cars and trucks powered by hydrogen fuel cells."
The University of Toledo recently received a major award from the U.S. Department of Defense Advanced Research Program to provide a significant expansion for UT's photovoltaic energy initiative. Ohio Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur helped secure the funding for UT's high-tech energy initiative, which is one of 10 major defense-related projects in the country to receive research money. Since 1988, UT has been awarded around $7 million to pursue photovoltaic research.
Dr. Alvin Compaan, professor of physics and astronomy and director of the Center of Materials Science and Engineering, and Dr. Xunming Deng, associate professor of physics and astronomy, along with UT faculty Dr. Victor Karpov, Dr. Dean Giolando and Dr. Randy Bohn and postdoctoral and graduate students, are working toward further innovation in this area, known as photovoltaic power. According to the researchers, wide- spread applications of low-cost thin-film photovoltaics, combined with conservation measures, have the potential to lead to energy independence.
Deng's work has already received considerable attention from the auto industry. Recently, he and his fellow researchers delivered a variety of triple-junction amorphous- silicon solar cell devices to General Motors. These devices are specially designed for hydrogen generation from the sunlight and water. In addition to General Motors, Deng is working with the University of Hawaii, under a grant from the Department of Energy's hydrogen program, to fabricate novel photovoltaic devices with enough voltage to efficiently split water under sunlight to generate hydrogen.
"This is one of the cleanest ways to produce hydrogen," Deng explains. "There's no pollution in the entire process."
Meanwhile, Deng is also developing a method to make amorphous-silicon solar cells faster with the hot wire deposition process. "Our goal is to make high-efficiency solar cells at a higher rate," he says. "Once we accomplish that, we hope to transfer that technology to industry for mass production of amorphous-silicon solar panels at low cost."
Solar cells have limitless potential. For example, Compaan is developing the next generation of solar panels that could be used as building roofs and exteriors to generate electricity.
"The market for solar panels is growing by 30 percent a year," says Compaan. "It's one of the fastest-growing industries."
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