Solar

Graphene shows unusual thermoelectric response to lightFinding could lead to new photodetectors or energy-harvesting devices.

‘Artificial leaf’ makes fuel from sunlightSolar cell bonded to recently developed catalyst can harness the sun, splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen.

How to make solar power 24/7MIT team designs concentrated solar thermal system that could store heat in vats of molten salts, supplying constant power.

Sun-free photovoltaicsMaterials engineered to give off precisely tuned wavelengths of light when heated are key to new high-efficiency generating system.

Research update: New way to store sun’s heatModified carbon nanotubes can store solar energy indefinitely, then be recharged by exposure to the sun.

While you’re up, print me a solar cellNew MIT-developed materials make it possible to produce photovoltaic cells on paper or fabric, nearly as simply as printing a document.

‘Artificial leaf’ moves closer to realityMIT researchers develop a device that combines a solar cell with a catalyst to split water molecules and generate energy.

Solar power, with a side of hot running waterNew system for flat-panel solar power could be combined with hot water systems for greater performance.

Solar power goes viralMIT researchers use genetically modified virus to produce structures that improve solar-cell efficiency by nearly one-third.

Turning windows into powerplantsNew technology from MIT could enable a building’s windows to generate power, without blocking the view.

BigBelly Solar at MIT: smart compactors with a green streak

The house of the day after tomorrow

New way to grow microwiresResearchers find simple, inexpensive method to produce silicon wires for sensors, batteries and solar cells.

Graphene electrodes for organic solar cellsResearchers identify technique that could make a new kind of solar photovoltaic panel practical.

Solar leader sees bright futureFounder of Chinese company that is world’s leading maker of silicon photovoltaic panels says the technology is close to grid parity.

Fine-tuning photosynthesisMIT analysis shows how synthetic systems for capturing the sun’s energy could be made more efficient.

Power to the peopleEntrepreneurs at MIT’s Legatum Center are trying to bring clean-energy solutions to developing countries.

Catching the sun’s heatStoring thermal energy in chemical form has the potential to make it indefinitely storable and transportable.

Solar funnelNew antenna made of carbon nanotubes could make photovoltaic cells more efficient by concentrating solar energy.

Solar cell, heal thyselfNew self-assembling photovoltaic technology can keep repairing itself to avoid any loss in performance.

Silicon can be made to melt in reverseMaterial that shows melting while cooling might someday lead to applications in solar cells and other devices

Explained: PhononsWhen trying to control the way heat moves through solids, it is often useful to think of it as a flow of particles.

New water-splitting catalyst foundResearch by MIT’s Dan Nocera expands the list of potential electrode materials that could be used to store energy.

Racing with the sun

New solar research center inauguratedEni-MIT Solar Frontiers Center, funded by Italian oil company, will support research by 21 MIT faculty members

Viruses harnessed to split waterMIT team’s biologically based system taps the power of sunlight directly, with the aim of turning water into hydrogen fuel.

Personalized Energy for One (x 6 Billion)Lecture, with professor Daniel Nocera, presented by the Knight Science Journalism Fellowship

MITEI awards third round of seed grants