The University of Kerala made a big and important innovation in green energy. They have received an Indian patent for developing an eco-friendly method that is used to create special materials in new and advanced solar cells.
This mind-blowing achievement comes from a team effort by the university’s Physics and Botany departments, which are working under the Translational Research and Innovation Centre(TRIC-KU).
This innovation uses a natural plant extract to make perovskite quantum dots, which are important parts of special solar cells. It is called dye-sensitized solar cells. This is a promising alternative to the traditional silicon-based solar panels.
What makes this innovation important is that it will replace a toxic substance with a plant-based solution.
The project is done by a team of physicists, Dr. R. Jayakrishnan and Dr. Aruna Raj, and botanists Prof. A. Gangaprasad and Priji S.
The research title is “A process for the preparation of copper-incorporated Methylammonium Lead Bromide Quantum Dots using Momordica Cochinchinensis (Lour.) Spreng. Aril Extract”.
It means they used the extract from the baby jackfruit to help make the solar material.
In this process, fruit extract helps to make perovskite quantum dots without the use of high heat, which saves a lot of energy. This makes production eco-friendly and improves the material’s photovoltaic performance.
Another eco-friendly thing is the replacement of 30% of the lead content with copper. Dr. Jayakrishnan explains the capability of pervoskite materials. They can achieve solar energy conversion efficiency of up to 25%, and a typical silicon-based solar panel achieves 15-18% efficiency.
This new technology can be used in other areas. The team believes it could work well in making blue LED lights and electronic devices. It also becomes more valuable for businesses and industries.
The University of Kerala wants to work with tech and clean energy companies to increase production and sell this eco-friendly solar technology in the market. The university used its special funds in 2022–2023 to support this project.
This development shows how the merger of biology, physics, and sustainability holds the key to a green future.
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