Scientists develop photo activated glass for clean energy production

Japanese and Swiss scientists have collaborated to develop glass that can generate electricity under light, which may pave the way for sustainable energy production. Researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne used femtosecond lasers to etch circuits on glass surfaces, resulting in the unexpected generation of semiconductor crystals.

The American scientific journal Applied Physics Review reported this breakthrough in January of this year, which enables glass to be transformed into an active material that can transmit current, similar to semiconductors.

Yves Bellouard, Associate Professor at the Swiss Academy and Director of the Galatea Laboratory, praised the technology as "surprising and innovative" as it can modify materials without adding additional additives. This collaborative project involves the use of tellurite glass commonly used in the production of optical fibers, provided by a Japanese research institute.

Goezden Torun, a student at the Belouard laboratory, accidentally created a semiconductor crystal while conducting experiments with femtosecond lasers on nitrite glass. Then, the laser engraving circuit on the glass surface promotes the generation of current responsive to ultraviolet and visible light.

Associate Professor Tetsuo Kishi from Tokyo Institute of Technology emphasized the transformative potential of this technology, transforming glass from a passive material that only allows light to pass through to an active material with semiconductor like properties. Kishi suggests modifying the glass composition to increase practicality, making it lighter and thinner.

Although challenges still exist, researchers envision future applications where some windows covered with tellurite glass, modified by femtosecond lasers, can serve as a source of clean energy, potentially reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

This development represents a promising step towards sustainable energy solutions, although practical implementation may require further refinement.

Source: Laser Net