Nanowire advances promise improved light-emitting diodes and solar-energy generation

March 23, 2010

By hammersmith

[Source: ScienceDaily] – A recent advance by Arizona State University researchers in developing nanowires could lead to more efficient photovoltaic cells for generating energy from sunlight, and to better light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that could replace less energy-efficient incandescent light bulbs.

Electrical engineers Cun-Zheng Ning and Alian Pan are working to improve quaternary alloy semiconductor nanowire materials.

Nanowires are tens of nanometers in diameter and tens of microns in length. Quaternary alloys are made of semiconductors with four elements, often made by alloying two or more compound semiconductors.

For more information: Nanowire Advances Promise Improved Light-Emitting Diodes and Solar-Energy Generation