...Plant Cell versus Solar Cell Katrina Minchew July 18, 2011 Strayer University | | Photosynthesis is defined as the process in which green plants and other organisms by which carbohydrates are synthesized from carbon dioxide and water using light as an energy source. It takes place mainly inside the leaves. This process utilizes light energy and it is transformed into chemical energy used to create organic compounds. Photosynthesis consists of two processes that use both light and dark energy. The first process, light reaction transforms light into energy. The second process utilizes dark reactions, use the energy and carbon dioxide to produce sugar. The process needs sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide. These materials are transported through the leaves. Water is absorbed by the plant through the roots and is then delivered to the leaves through the plant tissue. The carbon dioxide is absorbed through small holes in plant leaves known as stomata. It also releases oxygen. The process known as chlorophyll is when the green pigment of plants and photosynthetic algae and bacteria trap the energy of sunlight. In plants, photosynthesis takes place inside the chloroplasts, which is the organelle that carries out photosynthesis and starch grain formation. A chlorophyll-containing organelle in plants is the site of photosynthesis. A solar cell also known as the photovoltaic cell is a solid state electrical mechanism that converts the energy of light directly into electricity...
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...Solar and Plant Cells Compared Tiffany L. Triggs Strayer University The Importance of Energy For plant Earth, the Sun is the main source for all energy. It is the main essential thing that provides us with light, warmth and energy. Some organisms, such as plants and algae, create their own food using the sun as their main source of energy. In turn the fuel the rest of the world by creating energy for animals and humans after being consumed. They also remove carbon dioxide from the air and replenish oxygen for us to breath. This process, through which this energy is harnessed and used to create food, or carbohydrates, is called photosynthesis. Can the energy of the sun be harnessed by humans to create energy? It can be and it is through the use of solar cells. Photosynthesis and solar cells are similar, yet different in a few ways. Creating Our Own Energy Humans have figured out how to use the power of the sun for energy. Using Solar panels containing semiconductors, we can turn the sun into electricity, a very popular form of energy. In this way, photosynthesis and solar cells are similar, both using the suns light to create a form of energy. The type of energy created, however, is where one difference comes into play. Plants create a chemical energy known as carbohydrates, a simple organic compound of oxygen, carbon and hydrogen, while solar cells use semiconductors to produce electricity. Use of Electrons Solar Cells and Photosynthesis both use a form...
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...Running head: PHOTOSYNTHESIS VS. SEMICONDUCTOR BASED SOLAR CELL Photosynthesis Vs. Semiconductor Based Solar Cell Biology – SCI 115 23 January 2012 Abstract This paper discusses photosynthesis and how it is used by plants to harness solar energy. It also discusses semiconductor-based solar cells and how they are able to harness solar energy and convert it to electricity. This paper also compares the two types of solar energy systems and provides an overview of how the two systems are alike and how they are different. In closing, this paper will briefly explain how the laws of thermodynamics apply to each of the two energy systems. Photosynthesis Photosynthesis is a process that transfers solar energy, or energy from the sun, into a chemical energy that provides nutrients to plants and animals all over the world. Without these important nutrients, plants, animals and humans would not be able to survive on earth. “Animals and plants get energy by metabolizing nutrient molecules made by photosynthesizers.” (Mader, 2010) Semiconductor-Based Solar Cell Before discussing what a semiconductor-based solar cell is, I would first like to define a semiconductor and then explain how it is used in a solar cell type environment. A semiconductor is, “a class of materials, such as silicon and germanium, whose electrical properties lie between those of conductors (such as copper and aluminum) and insulators (such as glass and rubber)...
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...SEMICONDUCTOR-BASED SOLAR CELL 1 Photosynthesis and Semiconductor-based Solar Cell Jorge Tavarez Strayer University PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND SEMICONDUCTOR-BASED SOLAR CELL 2 Abstract Energy is the capacity to do work and make things happen (Mader, 2009, p. 72). Human or other living things would not be on Earth without the source of energy. In photosynthesis, plant cells harness the sun’s solar energy with carbon dioxide to transform water molecules into oxygen, hydrogen and electrons and a semiconductor-based solar cell harnesses solar energy to convert it to electricity required by humans. In this paper, I will discuss the comparison and contrast of the two systems. I will also describe ways in which the plant cell and the solar cell are similar and different to each other. In addition, I will discuss how the laws of thermodynamics apply to each system. PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND SEMICONDUCTOR-BASED SOLAR CELL 3 Photosynthesis and Semiconductor-Based Solar Cell Two ways in which energy is created for the various life forms on earth are photosynthesis and the process that a semiconductor-based solar cell goes through to make energy. Photosynthesis is a process used by plants and other organisms to convert the light energy captured from the sun into chemical energy that can be used to fuel the organism's activities. Semiconductor-based solar cells utilize photovoltaic (PV) panels to harness solar energy...
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...many similarities and also many differences when comparing photosynthesis and semiconductor based solar cells this paper will outline those these as well as give a description of the two cycles. I will also be defining the law of thermodynamics and explaining how it applies to photosynthesis and also semiconductor based solar cells harnessing solar energy. Photosynthesis is the process of converting solar energy into chemical energy in the form of carbohydrates. For photosynthesis to occur a few factors must be present such as water, carbon dioxide, chlorophyll, and light energy. Photosynthesis consists of two sets of reactions the first being the photo portion or light reaction which is the reaction that captures solar energy the second being the synthesis reaction or Calvin cycle reactions which converts that solar energy into carbohydrates (Mader, 2010). For light reactions to occur first light energy enters the cells and is absorbed by the chlorophyll. That Light energy raises the energy level chlorophyll enabling electrons to be freed form the chlorophyll molecules. This makes the chlorophyll molecules positively charged the electrons from hydrogen atoms are attracted to the positively chlorophyll causing water molecules to break apart into oxygen atoms. The elections freed from the chlorophyll and the protons freed from water take part in the chemical reactions in the cell. The reactions result in the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and nicotinamide adenine...
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...Anthocyanin from Basella alba (Alugbati) stems as light-accumulators for making of dye-sensitized solar cells ________________________ An Investigatory Project Presented to Association of Science Educators of the Philippines (ASEP) in cooperation with Department of Education (DepEd) ________________________ As an Entry to the 2014 REGIONAL SCIENCE QUEST (Regional Level – Physical Science Team – Private Schools Category) ________________________ Proponents Dan Carlos C. Calubaquib Lisa Marielle S. Tagasa Rea Melissa P. Espiritu EFREN PAZ Research Adviser ________________________ Roosevelt College Science High School Sumulong Highway Cainta, Rizal November 2014 ACKNOWLEGDEMENT We would like to thank our parents for their nonstop support during our research project. Thank you for Mr. and Mrs. Tagasa for letting us stay at their house to do our experiments in the middle of the night. Thanks you for Mrs. Espiritu for helping us to find Indium Tin Oxide, which is essential to our study. And last but not the least, thank you for Ms. Corpuz for helping us to find the chemicals we needed. To our friends that encouraged us to continue. Thank you for Austin Kinn Rubin for giving us a piece of advice on what would be the best thing to do for our research. And to the entire Batch 10, we thank you for the support you gave. To our teachers that taught us how to think and not what to think. To Ms. Luzita Alcid, our principal, who helped us defend our study better. To our research...
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...Photosynthesis vs. Solar panels. Converting solar energy into other materials dates back to Edmund Becquerel discover of the photovoltaic effect, which is the operating principle of the solar cell, in 1839” (Zamostny, 2011). Since then scientist have attempt to mimic the photosynthesis process used by plants to harness solar energy. In this essay I will show what makes both methods similar and what makes them different. The main commonality that photosynthesis and solar panels share is that they both have the same goal of creating energy which originates from the sun. The utilization of photosynthesis allows plants to use that energy to survive. The sole purpose of solar panels is to create energy to that could be used in day to day life to make our lives so much more enjoyable. The use of this technology allows us to slow the uses of fossil fuel preserving them making our surviving (or comfort of living) a lot more sustainable. Another commonality that photosynthesis and solar panels (photovoltaic cells) share is the absorption of the sunlight. In photosynthesis, the sunlight is absorbed through the chlorophyll which is located in the chloroplasts. Then is converted to chemical energy used to produce organic compounds. The same method is used in solar panels where the absorption of sunlight occurs in the semi-conductors usually made of silicon. The process of conversion of sunlight into energy itself is a common trait. In solar panels the semi-conductors perform this process...
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...------------------------------------------------- University of Oklahoma EMBA5072Corporate Finance TEAM 6 – Karen Waldrip, Atjen Shasivari, Keith Albright 1366 Technologies-Scaling the Venture 1366 Technologies-Scaling the Venture EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1366 Technologies (“1366”) is a Massachusetts-based solar energy 2007 start-up that is developing a series of innovations to drive down the levelized cost of solar electricity. Its first target is the wafer with its Direct Wafer™ technology which has the potential to revolutionize wafer manufacturing by eliminating process steps, time, and waste with a refined, scalable process. 1366 Technologies’ eliminates the cost and production challenges that have hampered solar power’s ability to replace fossil fuels. The company combines breakthrough innovations in silicon cell architecture with lean manufacturing processes to make the world’s most cost effective and commercially viable high efficiency solar cells. Developed by a veteran team of scientists led by world renowned inventor, Ely Sachs, and its co-founder and CEO, Frank van Mierlo, the company’s innovative approach breaks the historic efficiency and cost tradeoff of solar photovoltaics. 1366 Technologies’ initial investment (Series A) financing came at the end of 2007 from venture capitalists and it received $3 million in initial funding for research and development from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). In August 2009, the company received $4 million in early...
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...van Leeuwenhoek (1683) Invent a primitive microscope (magnification = 266 x) Looked at everything from rainwater to tears saw swimming living cells (microbes) He called as “animalcules” MICROSCOPE INVENTORS Robert Hooke (1665) See non-living particles invents the term “cell” after viewing slices of cork through a very primitive microscope MICROSCOPE INVENTORS The discovery and early study of cells progressed with the invention and improvement of microscopes in the 17th century Light microscopy LIGHT MICROSCOPE Compound or light microscope Visible light rays passes through specimens and uses glass lenses to view objects Different magnification of objective lense range from 4x, 10x, 40x, and 100x The lenses refract light such that the image is magnified into the eye LIGHT MICROSCOPE Magnification Magnification is the ratio of an object’s image to its real size. Resolving power is a measure of image clarity. It is the minimum distance two points can be separated and still viewed as two separate points. Resolution is limited by the wavelength of the source, in this case light. LIGHT MICROSCOPE Light microscopes can magnify effectively to about 1,000 times the size of the actual specimen At higher magnifications, the image blurs. Light microscope can resolve individual cells, it cannot resolve much of the internal anatomy, especially the organelles. ELECTRON MICROSCOPE To resolve smaller structures we use an electron...
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...Efficiency of Solar Photovoltaic Research and developemnt in Solar PV industry Anushka Pal Riga Technical University Table of Contents Introduction: 4 Efficiency of solar cell 5 Factors affecting PV cell efficiency 14 Temperature 14 Dust 16 Solar irradiance 17 Losses in a solar cell 19 Optical losses 20 Collection losses 21 Resistance losses 21 Metal/semiconductor contacts 21 PV market 21 Cost analysis for PV 23 Parameters that can improve the efficiency of solar cell 30 Conclusions 31 Table of Figures: Figure 1 Best research cell efficiency 5 Figure 2 Measured efficiencies for LFC and PERC cells on p-type silicon 7 Figure 3 Progress in the conversion efficiency of HIT solar cells 8 Figure 4 Output power trends of single-sided HIT and bifacial HIT double modules throughout the year 9 Figure 5 Efficiency ratio of solar cells from a pilot solar series (300 cells). 11 Figure 6 Effect of temperature on PV cell characteristic. 14 Figure 7 Temperature effect on PV efficiency. 15 Figure 8 Effect of dust on PV cell power output. 16 Figure 9 Effect of irradiance on PV characteristic 17 Figure 10 PV module efficiency by different irradiation level 18 Figure 11 Energy output of PV for low radiation under 400 W/m2 18 Figure 12 PV power generation related to irradiance in a day 19 Figure 13 Photons with energy lower than the band gap energy...
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...Abstract Solar Energy: The Eco-Friendly alternative energy source for The world? Solar Energy: The Eco-Friendly alternative energy source for The world? Solar energy is energy provided by the sun, it is in the form of solar radiation, it can be converted into electrical or thermal energy. Around the world a movement has begun, one started by environmentalist, this movement is known as the Go Green Movement. The goal of this movement is to make people aware of the damages that we are causing and effective measures to reverse them. The Go Green Movement focuses on creating alternative energy sources so that non-renewable energy resources such as: coal, petroleum and fossil fuel are not exhausted. Most fossil fuels are obtained through mining processes, which can damage the environment. They damage the environment by releasing acid, mercury and sulfates into the atmosphere. Christina Nunez, in her article for National Geographic states that fossil fuels such as coal should, “be left untouched in order to prevent global temperatures from rising more than 2°C.” (Nunez, 1) This indicates that the burning of fossil fuels such as: coal, oil and gas are factors which contribute to global warming. They contribute to global warming by releasing carbon dioxide into the earth’s atmosphere. In recent years the quandary of having alternate sources of energy has arisen. Solar energy is energy provided by the sun, it is in the form of solar radiation, it can...
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...FACULTY OF HEALTH, SPORT & SCIENCE Assessment Cover Sheet and Feedback Form |Module Code: |Module Title: | Lecturer: | | |Hydrogen: Fuel Vector for the Future (2012-13) |Jon Maddy | |PH4S01 | | | |Assignment Title and Tasks: | | | |Field trip report from visit to University of Glamorgan’s Hydrogen Research Centre in Baglan. | | | | | |You are required to submit a report of 2500-3000 words relating to the University of Glamorgan’s Hydrogen Research Centre at Baglan: | | ...
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...petroleum and coal based energy over the past eighty years, and not until recently have countries found a way to make clean energy more affordable. In this paper I will discuss a few types of clean energy and how they effect not only the environment we live in, but the economy we live in as well. Solar power is a science that has been around for over two hundred years, and the first solar panel was invented almost sixty years ago (Gruen). It has not been until the past ten years that solar power and solar panels have emerged as a legitimate source of clean energy that is cost effective. Solar power not only cuts down on dangerous CO2 emissions into our atmosphere, but can create jobs needed to support and sustain our economy. Jobs would be needed not only for creation of solar panels, but installation and also maintenance. The first solar panels were created about 55 years ago in New Jersey by a group of scientists working for Bell Laboratories (Gruen). Since that time it has become cheaper and cheaper to mass produce the components needed to create solar panels, and thus driving a higher demand as companies and consumers become more cognizant of the impact of gas power vs. solar power. Wind power is another huge resource for creating green energy in virtually every country in the world....
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...GERMANY 2011 Solar cell generations over 40% efficiency R. R. King*, D. Bhusari, D. Larrabee, X.-Q. Liu, E. Rehder, K. Edmondson, H. Cotal, R. K. Jones, J. H. Ermer, C. M. Fetzer, D. C. Law and N. H. Karam Spectrolab, Inc., 12500 Gladstone Ave, Sylmar, CA 91342, USA ABSTRACT Multijunction III-V concentrator cells of several different types have demonstrated solar conversion efficiency over 40% since 2006, and represent the only third-generation photovoltaic technology to enter commercial power generation markets so far. The next stage of solar cell efficiency improvement, from 40% to 50%-efficient production cells, is perhaps the most important yet, since it is in this range that concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) systems can become the lowest cost option for solar electricity, competing with conventional power generation without government subsidies. The impact of 40% and 50% cell efficiency on cost-effective geographic regions for CPV systems is calculated in the continental US, Europe, and North Africa. We take a systematic look at a progression of multijunction cell architectures that will take us up to 50% efficiency, using modeling grounded in well-characterized solar cell materials systems of today’s 40% cells, discussing the theoretical, materials science, and manufacturing considerations for the most promising approaches. The effects of varying solar spectrum and current balance on energy production in 4-junction, 5-junction, and 6-junction terrestrial concentrator cells are shown...
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...An electromagnetic wave of a frequency used for long distant communication. 4. Explain the difference between a transverse wave and a longitudinal wave, and give examples of each. In a longitudinal wave, the vibration travels in the same direction that wave travels. Examples of longitudinal waves include: Sound, p-waves (earthquakes) In a transverse wave, the vibration direction is perpendicular to direction that wave travels. Examples include: Light/electromagnetic, (radio, microwave, xray, etc.), water waves, swaves (earthquakes). The major difference between longitudinal and transverse waves is their direction. Longitudinal waves move left to right while transverse waves move up and down. 5. Compare and contrast: light waves vs. sound waves Light waves are transverse and sound waves are longitudinal. Light waves can travel through a vacuum but sound waves cannot. Speed of light is nearly 300 million m/s while sound has a speed of about 340 m/s. 6. What changes the pitch of sound? The frequency of vibration. Faster vibration would cause a higher pitch while slower vibration would cause a lower pitch. 7. Explain how different factors affect the speed of sound? Speed of sound depends on factors such as altitude, humidity, and temperature because sound waves need molecules to collide in...
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