A new device based on coaxial silicon nanowires shows potential as a tiny photovoltaic element for use in solar cells and in nanoelectronic power sources. The nanowire is made of silicon with three different types of conductivity arranged as coaxial shells. Incoming light generates electrons in the outer n-type shell, whilst their positive holes are swept into a central 'p-type' layer. Current drawn from the photovoltaic nanowire can be used to power nanoelectronic sensors and logic gates.
Source Nature Letter: Coaxial silicon nanowires as solar cells and nanoelectronic power sources
Bozhi Tian, Xiaolin Zheng, Thomas J. Kempa, Ying Fang, Nanfang Yu, Guihua Yu, Jinlin Huang & Charles M. Lieber
doi:10.1038/nature06181
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