Researchers, including a team from The University of Texas at Austin, have developed a composite material that converts low-energy light into higher-energy light. This hybrid material consists of ultra-small silicon nanoparticles and organic molecules similar to those used in OLED TVs. The efficient electron movement between the organic and inorganic components has broad applications, such as increasing the efficiency of solar panels, enhancing medical imaging, and improving night vision technologies. Notably, the composite can transform long-wavelength photons, like those from red light, into shorter wavelength blue or ultraviolet light, which is important for various technologies, including bioimaging and light sensors for autonomous vehicles. The research team, which also includes members from universities in California and Colorado, has made significant advancements by creating strong chemical bonds between anthracene and silicon nanocrystals, nearly doubling the efficiency of light conversion. This development could potentially reduce solar panel size by 30% by enabling the capture of near-infrared light. The findings were published in the journal Nature Chemistry and signify a major step forward in material design that bridges organic and inorganic substances for innovative applications.
