Russia invents' fluorescent glass' to improve solar photovoltaic conversion efficiency

Photovoltaic panels based on silicon crystals cannot absorb all wavelengths of sunlight, which is an important factor limiting the efficiency of photoelectric conversion and a hot research topic for scientists around the world. Recently, St. Petersburg State Research University in Russia successfully developed a new type of fluorescent glass material that can absorb ultraviolet light and emit visible light, thereby improving the efficiency and lifespan of solar panels.

The technical leader of the project, Eugene, said, "Currently, the ultraviolet conversion efficiency of fluorescent glass products can reach 30%. The fluorescent glass we have optimized and developed recently can further increase the luminous flux by 2 times. This type of glass has practical application value.

In addition to increasing the photoelectric conversion efficiency, using fluorescent glass to manufacture light-emitting diodes (LEDs) will also greatly improve the performance of lighting equipment. At present, in order to obtain white light, producers apply yellow fluorescent powder on blue LEDs, which mixes colors to give light that is close to white. However, in such devices, the color is distorted. In addition, due to frequent overheating during LED operation, the polymer begins to degrade, leading to the rapid failure of the fluorescent material. The invention of white fluorescent glass solved this problem. Firstly, glass is not affected by high temperatures and harsh weather conditions, and scientists use special manufacturing processes to embed fluorescent particles into the glass, ensuring the durability and color authenticity of the material. Nikolai Nikanorov, director of the Nanooptics Research Institute, said, "Lighting devices using luminescent glass can be installed in sports venues, highways, airports, and concert halls. Current LEDs need to be replaced every six months, and if we use our developed new technology to produce products, their lifespan will be extended tenfold, significantly reducing the cost of lighting equipment.

For industrial products, the easy availability of materials is another advantage. Glass melts at 1500 degrees Celsius and can then be molded. In order to induce fluorescence under ultraviolet light, silver ions need to be introduced and divided into clusters of specific sizes. The process of introducing silver ions is achieved through ion exchange: the glass is immersed in a silver salt melt at 320 ℃, and then the silver ions penetrate the glass and replace with sodium ions, resulting in a high concentration of silver ions on the surface of the glass at a few microns. Ion exchange technology has been widely used in the production of smartphone screens (famous Corning Gorilla glass) or the hardening of champagne bottles. This is also an important guarantee for this product to reduce large-scale manufacturing costs.

From:Energy Technology