Modeling sunlight harvesting in nanostructures
Monday, July 25, 2016 - 10:31
in Physics & Chemistry
To create the next generation of solar panels and other light-driven devices, scientists must model how complex interactions occur. Modeling across different scales, from individual atoms to very large systems with thousands of atoms, provides needed insights. In a review article in Chemical Reviews, a team of scientists assessed the state of the art for calculations used to model electronic states in exceedingly thin films. The calculations and resulting models shed new light on relevant predicted electronic and optical properties and light-driven dynamic processes. For example, scientists developed models that led to rational design principles for better solar panels and other solar energy conversion technologies.