Industry News

STFC: A scientific advance in renewable energy, which ‘promises a revolution in the ease & cost of using solar cells’, was announced last week.  A new study shows that even when using very simple & inexpensive manufacturing methods - where flexible layers of material are deposited over large areas like cling-film - efficient solar cell structures can be made.
 
The study, published in the Journal Advanced Energy Materials, paves the way for new solar cell manufacturing techniques and the promise of developments in renewable solar energy.  Scientists from the Universities of Sheffield and Cambridge used the ISIS Neutron Source and Diamond Light Source at STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire to carry out the research.
 
Plastic (polymer) solar cells are much cheaper to produce than conventional silicon solar cells and have the potential to be produced in large quantities.  The study showed that when complex mixtures of molecules in solution are spread onto a surface, like varnishing a table-top, the different molecules separate to the top and bottom of the layer in a way that maximises the efficiency of the resulting solar cell.
 
A conference about ways to harness the power of the Sun to tackle society's energy challenge will take place in September 2011.
Press release & links
 
LDA: The London Technology Fund, set up by the London Development Agency (LDA) with European backing, has sold Dexela, a high-tech business specialising in low-dose x-rays which it co-owned with Albion Ventures. The sale to PerkinElmer Inc, a US healthcare technology leader, enables the proceeds to be reinvested into future high-tech ventures in London.
 
This is the latest LTF success and demonstrates the value of long-term independent investment in specialist initiatives, backed by both public and European Regional Development Fund capital.  The LDF has completed 22 investments in 8 companies, acting as a key investor to help secure over £27m for London-based high technology companies.
Press release
Free, Secure, Compliant UK Public Sector IT Recycling Service