Conjugated polymers: new materials for photovoltaics

Article Abstract:

Conjugated polymers, which have alternating singe and double carbon-carbon, or sometimes carbon nitrogen, bonds, are new materials for photovoltaics. Polymers can act as semiconductors, with some effort on the part of chemists. Coatings might be able to do sunlight-harvesting on roofs or in fabrics. Resarch is in early stages, but results are encouraging. The best materials so far, using a polythiophene molecule as a hole-acceptor, have energy conversion efficiency of 7% when irradiated with green light. In sunlight it is about 2%. Excitons dissociate at interfaces of materials with different ionization energies and electron affinities after being produced in a conducting polymer. Topics include using induced charges, device configurations, poly(p-phenylenevinylenes), polyanilines, polythiophenes, high light-collection efficiency, and order at the molecular level.

Australia, Usage, Polymers, Materials, Semiconductors, Photochemical research, Electrochemistry, Solar cells, Aniline, Solar energy, Solar collectors

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Discovery down under

Article Abstract:

This article discusses the past and the current research in the fields of biology and medicine spanning from native medicines to genetically engineered livestock in New Zealand. Among the indigenous medicines, native plant products and manuka honey are described. Modern research covers pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and genomics in the university and industry sectors.

Pharmaceutical industry, Industrial research, Research institutes, Discovery and exploration, Genetic engineering

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Will they read it? Will they understand?

Article Abstract:

Journalists are accused sometimes of dumbing down science articles, but they often do not understand subjects they cover according to a scientist and science communicator at Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand. Internships in research institutes would be helpful for those training to become journalist and lacking science backgrounds.

Telecommunications systems, Training, Chemistry, Journalists

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