Before humans invented silicon-based solar cells, diatoms in nature began to use silicon dioxide to collect solar energy. The construction of algae shells using sunlight is the best donor for the construction of future solar cell raw materials and models. The largest cross-disciplinary team of the Scandinavian Peninsula formed by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and the Norwegian Institute of Science and Industry (SINTEF) is using diatoms and other unicellular algae as a template for future solar cell research to produce solar energy. Diatom solar cells comparable to algae.

Algae has 200 doors and more than 100,000 species. Most of them live in seawater and can use solar energy for photosynthesis. Algae is the most successful light energy utilization organism in the world and has the highest utilization of light energy. It can reflect solar light less and capture solar energy through the pores of the grid. The greatest secret of the efficient use of sunlight by algae lies in its outer shell, where the single cell diatom shell is the best model. The diatom shell is composed of hexagonal micropores with a very complicated structure of fine silica and composed of 10-50 nm, forming a mesh structure. This complex structure can make the incident light unable to escape. The project leader Gabriella Tranell said that this densely-textured algae shell not only enhances the hardness and strength of the diatom, gives it a suspended mechanical property, but also enhances the physiological functions of transporting nutrients, adsorption, and adhesion. And it prevents the entry of harmful substances and enhances the light absorption rate.

The team has screened the finest microalgae in the outer shell structure from over 10,000 diatoms in the world: F. cucumerinum, C. renifolia, Featherium and Zephynopsis. Among them, the exine structure of the sieved algae is the best, but the sieved algae are difficult to cultivate. Using nanotechnology, researchers used precious metals with good ductility as raw materials and diatom shells as molds to replicate the diatom shell structure with high-quality optical properties using the biotemplate method. The structure and optical properties of the replica of the gold bionic structure were then tested and simulated using a computer. Afterwards, the optical tests of the structures (such as different apertures, shapes, etc.) of the components of different shell layers obtained through computer simulations explain the principles of diatom shell capturing sunlight and reflecting sunlight, and the optimal angle and structure of incident light. Based on this, the best light absorption model for computer simulation was obtained and the best diatom shell in nature was sought.

In reality, in order to make the surface of the diatom shell not covered with other impurities and form a single layer of the shell that does not overlap each other, researchers first use alginic acid to clean all organic substances and impurities on the shell, and then try to make the negatively charged diatom shell in the A flat monolayer is formed on the positively charged plate. In addition, researchers have also tried a gradient density method that allows diatoms to naturally form single cell outer shells at the interface between two incompatible liquids (such as water and chloroform).

Obtaining high-quality, heat-resistant, chemical-resistant diatom shells is the top priority for diatoms. The team regulated the diatom synthesizing shell by controlling nitrogen, phosphorus, zinc, vitamins, and trace elements in the medium. By reducing the silicate concentration and adding titanium dioxide through a certain period of time, the surface of the outer shell is covered with conductive titanium dioxide.

Research director Gabriella Tranell stated that although it is not possible to determine the time to market for solar cells produced using diatom shells and nanotechnology, she firmly believes that their team can succeed and use biomimetic principles to make solar cells behave like plants, depending on the position of the sun. And strength adjust its position and its bionic structure.

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