DSC News Update

■ The birth of the Solar Cell Brigade, Fostering a national strategy
With the worldwide demand from solar cells as a backdrop, a new industrial structure with solar cells as its core arose. Also known as the 21st century industrial cluster, the Solar Cell Brigade came out of these circumstances. These companies realized the need for cooperation to survive and get an edge in the rapidly growing worldwide energy market. Considering the market forecast for low-carbon demand, the Japanese industry recognizes that this is a huge chance that they should never be passed on.
(2008.11.07 Nikkei Industrial News by Mr. H Tsuka)

■ Solar Cells (5) : Dye-sensitized Solar Cells, A new power source for PC's
"We have good weather today. I should leave this outside under the sun." And we're not talking about laundry. In the workplace after several years, it is possible that notebook computers will be recharged using sunlight.
By 2010, Dai Nippon Printing Company aims to produce solar cells as auxiliary power supplies for computers and cellular phones. Aside from decreasing power usage in the workplace, it will become possible to use electronic devices outside simply by gathering power from sunlight. They plan to use dye-sensitized solar cells. It is composed of thin layer of dye coated on top of a plastic sheet, which is tightly sealed. Similar to plants in photosynthesis, these devices generate electrical energy when light is absorbed by the dye. They are more lightweight since metals are not used and only a thin layer of dye is necessary to produce electricity, while most silicon and other metallic compound-based panels require heavy glass.
(2008.11.07 Nikkei Net)

■ "Rechargeable-wear"
Product name: Film-type Dye-sensitized solar cells
Product details: This solar cell can be sown on clothes to be used as auxiliary rechargeable device for celfones and digital music players.

Recently, Tokyo Tamago on TV Tokyo featured DSCs attached on a jogging suit as a "rechargeable-wear" by Gunze. The prototype still needs to be improved both aesthetically and efficiency-wise. The reporter who wore the jogging suit on a slightly cloudy day was able to get a voltage output of 0.994 V but complained about the wires sticking out and also mentioned that the suit is still a bit uncomfortable. Gunze aims to release this product by 2010.
(2008.11.06 TV Tokyo's Trend Tamago)

Lecture by Prof. Michio Kondo in RCAST

Prof. Michio Kondo, the director of the Research Center of Photovoltaics in the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), was kind enough to give the staff and students of RCAST, Univ. of Tokyo a lecture last Friday.

Title: A low-carbon society based on revolutionary solar power generation
Date: November 7th, 2008 (Friday), 14:30-17:55
Venue: RCAST Bldg 4, 2nd floor Seminar Room






Prof. Kondo's lecture was extremely informative, covering a wide range of solar power technologies, their history, current status and future perspectives. He gave a fair analysis of the different types of technologies, ranging from silicon-based, multi-junction devices, organic thin films, and DSCs. I really enjoyed his lecture because I was able to understand his lecture quite well, despite it being in Japanese because he explained everything simply and concisely. I cannot wait to attend another lecture such as this. (^^,) - Joanne

Lecture Announcement

2008 Industry/University Forum Lecture

The Current State of Solar Energy Conversion Device

Host: Electrochemical Soeity of Japan
Date: November 15, 2008 (Saturday) 14:00~
Venue: Tokyo University, School of Science, Chemistry Building Lecture Hall
Address: Hongo 7-3-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Entrance Fee: Free
Banquet: 山上会館地階食堂「御殿」 for 2,000 yen.
Application procedure: Send your name, place of employment, contact information and whether or not you will join the banquet to atobe@electrochem.jp or fax to 03-3234-3599.

Program:
1. The Current state and Future perspective on Solar energy generation
by Matsuhara Hiroshi (AIST)
2. Regarding Silicon Thin-Film Solar Cells (tentative title)
by Tanaka Makoto (Sanyo Denki)
3. Development of Printable and Flexible Dye-sensitized Solar Cells
by Miyasaka Tsutomu (Toin Yokohama University)

DSC News Updates

■ Modern times close-up: Why is Japan, the leader in solar cell technology, lagging behind in the world market?
According to Makoto Kyomizu of the Research Department of the Development Bank of Japan, "What is common in the rapidly growing Germany, China and Indian companies is that they pooled their investment money to world-wide scale and became huge in one burst. They collaborate with other companies if they lack the technology. Unfortunately, this is not a strategy that Japanese companies want to adapt."
(2008.11.05)

■ TV program
Recently, a "non-fuel" movement is spreading worldwide. In the heart of this, solar energy has become a main focus. In order to provide the demand of solar panels in Europe, several new manufacturers have sprouted up in countries such as China and India. Japan's Sharp Corporation stating that "Solar Energy is the next oil field." will not only produce solar panels but will actively participate in the solar power generation business by implementing non-conventional strategies. Also, Showa Shell Sekiyu, sensing the impending crisis of petroleum, has proposed a new strategy to give petroleum a backseat and instead promote solar energy business in the frontlines. A discussion involving solar energy in the forefront of fierce competition in the world's expanding market.
Studio Guest: Mr. Makoto Kyomizu from the Development Bank of Japan
(2008.10.22 NHK by Mr. H Tsuka)

■ Platinum-free DSC
Japan Carlit Company may have found a way to replace platinum used as the counter electrode in DSCs with a semiconducting polymer (polyaniline). The shift in material can greatly decrease production cost.
(2008.10.31 Chemical Daily by Mr. M Kuni)