Uneven Vertical Carbon Nanotube Arrays with Quantum Dots on Top for Increased Solar Cell Efficiency

Is the United States and her top researchers in solar technology on the verge of an efficiency breakthrough in solar efficiency? I believe so, and believe that it is just over the horizon and the Sun is rising along with the prospects of a bright future in solar energy. Let me explain. Recently, I've been attending talks, reading research papers, and listening to the chatter in the industry. It seems Universities, Corporate R and D, and privately funded start-ups are working furiously to develop this future.An interesting article in Technology Review published on September 30, 2010 entitled; "Upping the Limits on Solar Cell Efficiency - Nanomaterials could help solar cells convert more sunlight into electricity than once thought possible," by Kevin Bullis has some rather intriguing findings and comments on new solar efficiency experiments which could lead to a break-through.Indeed, I'd say that this a brilliant use of this technology. Just imagine where that might go in the future as such an application hits the market place and as new discoveries are made and new applications stumbled upon by entrepreneurs. That company and companies like it are on the verge of a game-changer.The article above has some rather intriguing findings and comments on new solar efficiency experiments which could lead to a break-through. And I'd like to add my own mind's eye and two-cents to such technology, and propose another potential innovation after thinking on this for a few moments. This is my invention idea.Okay so, well what if we used - Uneven Vertical Carbon Nanotube Arrays with Quantum Dots on Top for Increase Solar Cell Efficiency, with hairline gaps between them and quantum dots along the sides too, thus all the photons coming in could be converted, rather than just some. I think that could work better than layered or multi-coat strategies to do the same thing, still, it would be a rather thin material in all "sheet of paper +" in width, and still viable for roll on coatings or, if we used another strategy, mix it into "latex paint" then align all the nanotubes with a electronic pulse or magnet as it was applied, then hook up electrodes to the paint.The carbon nano-tubes would be slightly protruding due to being pulled up by the magnet during the aligning process. And the ammonia atoms in the latex paint would be a great conductor and allow easy capture of the energy to transfer, also ammonia atoms and carbon are best friends in the lab, and for good reason, and great applications as well. Meanwhile the adherence of the quantum dots on the carbon nanotubes prior to mixing the paint, means we could make it happen.Indeed, I am quite confident we could play around with mixtures of paint to make this happen. Weak link being the current technology in carbon-nanotube manufacturing, but I just bet the labs doing high-tech government work already have that figured out. Anyway the transfer of such technology once proved; well, imagine the possibilities;Coating the top of BusesCommuter TrainsBridge girders for powering up lightingWarehouse RoofsHumveesHybrid delivery trucksHeck it has basic military applications as well, we could coat mini-UAVs or MAVs with the stuff and fly them in swarms indefinitely, and capture radar energy from the enemy on the bottom and solar power on top?There are many great aspects to my concept here, you see, Latex Paint can get wet too, without problems. Paint it on or roll it on, or whatever you want, and if you are a global warming alarmist, or worried about Urban Heat, you could paint the top of nearly everything?In fact, cleaning it off could be done by the rain. All you need is a surface exposed to sunlight. How about between all the taxiways and runways at airports, power up the whole thing on solar during the day, generate pressure for storage strategies with excess for evening use.Would you have any thoughts on this comment? Email me, let's talk!