New materials "eat in" low energy light "spit out" high energy light

Science and Technology Daily, Beijing, June 13 (Reporter Zhang Mengran) A team led by researchers from the University of Texas at Austin in the United States has created a new material that can absorb low-energy light and convert it into high-energy light. This new material is composed of ultra small silicon nanoparticles and organic molecules, which can effectively move electrons between its organic and inorganic components, and can be used for more efficient solar panels, more accurate medical imaging and better Night-vision device

Science and Technology Daily, Beijing, June 13 (Reporter Zhang Mengran) A team led by researchers from the University of Texas at Austin in the United States has created a new material that can absorb low-energy light and convert it into high-energy light. This new material is composed of ultra small silicon nanoparticles and organic molecules, which can effectively move electrons between its organic and inorganic components, and can be used for more efficient solar panels, more accurate medical imaging and better Night-vision device. The research results are published in the latest issue of the journal Nature Chemistry.

Composite materials are composed of two or more components that have unique characteristics when combined. For example, composite materials of carbon fiber and resin can be used as lightweight materials for aircraft wings, racing cars, and many sports products. In the new research, the design method of the material adopts two completely different substances - silicon and organic molecules, and combines them firmly enough. The combination of inorganic and organic components creates a mixed material that exhibits unique interactions and new characteristics with light, completely different from these two components.

These characteristics have the ability to convert long wavelength photons (such as red light, which can penetrate tissues, fog, and liquids well) into short wavelength blue or ultraviolet photons. This means that the material can be used in a variety of new technologies, such as biological imaging, light based 3D printing and optical sensors to help autonomous vehicle pass through fog.

Adopting low energy light and giving it higher energy also helps improve the efficiency of solar cells, as it can capture near-infrared light that typically passes through them. After optimizing the technology, capturing low energy light will reduce the size of solar panels by 30%.

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Combining unrelated or even incompatible materials and conducting experiments and modifications based on certain characteristics can often produce a "1+1>2" effect, and even open up new application fields. This time, researchers have combined silicon nanoparticles and organic molecules to create a new material that "eats" low energy light while "releases" high energy light, transforming long wavelength light into short wavelength light. It can be applied to biological imaging and light sensors, and can also improve the efficiency of solar cells, making the panels smaller. New permutations and combinations always bring us many surprises and bring new prospects to more fields.

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