Nanotechnology: New Horizons for Solar Power

Nanotechnology-based photovoltaics are touted as the next generation of solar cells, cheap and efficient enough to have a large-scale impact on global electricity production. But how does one separate the hype from the real promise? This talk will provide a framework by which to assess the true benefits, limitations, and potential impacts of nanoscale technologies. Applying this framework, we will evaluate several applications that demonstrate the potential of nanotechnology to shape the future of one of our century’s most important industries: photovoltaic solar power.

Presenter(s)

Ilan Gur is a leading technologist in the field of photovoltaics at the University of California, Berkeley. Gur's doctoral research has focused on the creation and integration of nanostructured materials for the development of ultra low-cost solar cells, a topic on which he has authored several peer-reviewed research articles. At Berkeley, Gur co-developed and co-taught the first interdisciplinary graduate course on photovoltaic technologies, policy, and economics. He frequently speaks on the potential of nanotechnology to impact PV markets, and has worked closely with nano and thin-film companies in Silicon Valley to help bring these technologies to market. Currently a National Science Foundation Research Fellow in the department of Materials Science and Engineering, Gur is a past recipient of the DoD National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization's International Research Fellowship.