The University of Sheffield has conducted research into the structure of plastic used in generating renewable energy.

Scientists from the institution have been looking at the plastics used in new low-cost solar cells in a bid to improve the efficiency of the cells.

The work has been led by Professor David Lidzey, but researchers from the universities of Cambridge and Cardiff have also participated.

Nanoscale morphology within the semiconductor film was the focus of the studies as this is the key to maximising efficiency.

Professor Lidzey said: "This has been a very exciting experiment for us - we have used Diamond Light Source to carry out some important science on a technologically important class of materials.

"This has allowed us to understand a process that has so far remained unexplored in these materials. We will now capitalise on this by applying our techniques to new materials. This information will quickly feed into our solar-cell research programme and will hopefully allow us to develop more efficient plastic solar cell devices."

The study comes as the University of Sheffield has launched a new venture entitled Project Sunshine.

Led by the faculty of science, the move aims to unite scientists in order to develop ways of tackling the challenge of meeting the world's energy needs.

Posted by Mark Stephens

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