金属氧化物能用于获取能源

时间：2012-04-20 02:50:31

（单词翻译:单击）

Harnessing the energy of sunlight can be as simple as tuning1 the optical and electronic properties of metal oxides at the atomic level by making an artificial crystal or super-lattice 'sandwich,' says a Binghamton University researcher in a new study published in the journal Physical Review B. "Metal oxides are cheap, abundant and 'green,'" said Louis Piper, assistant professor of physics at Binghamton University. "And as the study proved, quite versatile3（通用的） . With the right touch, metal oxides can be tailored to meet all sorts of needs, which is good news for technological4 applications, specifically in energy generation and flat screen displays."

Here's how it works: semiconductors5 are an important class of materials in between metals and insulators6. They are defined by the size of their band gap, which represents the energy required to excite an electron from the occupied shell to an unoccupied shell where it can conduct electricity. Visible light covers a range of 1 (infrared) to 3 (ultraviolet) electron volts7. For transparent8 conductors, a large band gap is required, whereas for artificial photosynthesis9（光合作用） , a band gap corresponding to green light is needed. Metal oxides provide a means of tailoring the band gap.

But whilst metal oxides are very good at electron conduction, they are very poor "hole" conductors. Holes refer to absence of electrons, and can conduct positive charge. To maximize their technologically10 potential, especially for artificial photosynthesis and invisible electronics, hole conducting metal oxides are required.

Knowing this, Piper has begun studying layered metal oxides systems, which can be combined to selectively 'dope' (replace a small number of one type of atom in the material), or 'tune11' (control the size of the band gap). Recent work revealed that a super-lattice of two hole-conducting copper12 oxides could cover the entire solar spectrum13. The goal is to improve the performance whilst using environmentally benign14 and cheap metal alternatives.

For instance, indium（铟） oxide2 is one of the most widely used oxides used in the production of coatings for flat screen displays and solar cells. It can conduct electrons really well and is transparent. But it is also rare and very expensive. Piper's current research is aimed towards using much cheaper tin（锡） oxide layers to get electron and hole conduction with optical transparency.


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1 tuning 8700ed4820c703ee62c092f05901ecfc     
n.调谐，调整，调音v.调音( tune的现在分词 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调
参考例句：
  • They are tuning up a plane on the flight line. 他们正在机场的飞机跑道上调试一架飞机。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The orchestra are tuning up. 管弦乐队在定弦。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
2 oxide K4dz8     
n.氧化物
参考例句：
  • Oxide is usually seen in our daily life.在我们的日常生活中氧化物很常见。
  • How can you get rid of this oxide coating?你们该怎样除去这些氧化皮？
3 versatile 4Lbzl     
adj.通用的，万用的；多才多艺的，多方面的
参考例句：
  • A versatile person is often good at a number of different things.多才多艺的人通常擅长许多种不同的事情。
  • He had been one of the game's most versatile athletes.他是这项运动中技术最全面的运动员之一。
4 technological gqiwY     
adj.技术的；工艺的
参考例句：
  • A successful company must keep up with the pace of technological change.一家成功的公司必须得跟上技术变革的步伐。
  • Today,the pace of life is increasing with technological advancements.当今， 随着科技进步，生活节奏不断增快。
5 semiconductors 0e1983fea761e849266037e7a40cb125     
n.半导体( semiconductor的名词复数 )
参考例句：
  • Crystals may be insulators, semiconductors, or conductors. 晶体可以是绝缘体，半导体，或导体。 来自辞典例句
  • Semiconductors containing such impurities are called p-type semiconductors. 含有这类杂质的半导体叫做P型半导体。 来自辞典例句
6 insulators c88ab4337e644aa48cdb61df6ccc0271     
绝缘、隔热或隔音等的物质或装置( insulator的名词复数 )
参考例句：
  • There is no sharp line separating conductors from insulators. 实际上并没有一个明显的界限将半导体和绝缘体分开。
  • To reduce heat losses the pipes are covered by thermal insulators. 为了减少热散失，管子外包保温层。
7 volts 98e8d837b26722c4cf6887fd4ebf60e8     
n.（电压单位）伏特( volt的名词复数 )
参考例句：
  • The floating potential, Vf is usually only a few volts below ground. 浮置电势Vf通常只低于接地电位几伏。 来自辞典例句
  • If gamma particles are present, potential differences of several thousand volts can be generated. 如果存在γ粒子，可能产生几千伏的电位差。 来自辞典例句
8 transparent Smhwx     
adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的
参考例句：
  • The water is so transparent that we can see the fishes swimming.水清澈透明，可以看到鱼儿游来游去。
  • The window glass is transparent.窗玻璃是透明的。
9 photosynthesis A2Czp     
n.光合作用
参考例句：
  • In apple trees photosynthesis occurs almost exclusively in the leaves.苹果树的光合作用几乎只发生在叶内。
  • Chloroplasts are the structures in which photosynthesis happens.叶绿体就是光合作用发生的地方。
10 technologically WqpwY     
ad.技术上地
参考例句：
  • Shanghai is a technologically advanced city. 上海是中国的一个技术先进的城市。
  • Many senior managers are technologically illiterate. 许多高级经理都对技术知之甚少。
11 tune NmnwW     
n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整
参考例句：
  • He'd written a tune,and played it to us on the piano.他写了一段曲子，并在钢琴上弹给我们听。
  • The boy beat out a tune on a tin can.那男孩在易拉罐上敲出一首曲子。
12 copper HZXyU     
n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的
参考例句：
  • The students are asked to prove the purity of copper.要求学生们检验铜的纯度。
  • Copper is a good medium for the conduction of heat and electricity.铜是热和电的良导体。
13 spectrum Trhy6     
n.谱，光谱，频谱；范围，幅度，系列
参考例句：
  • This is a kind of atomic spectrum.这是一种原子光谱。
  • We have known much of the constitution of the solar spectrum.关于太阳光谱的构成，我们已了解不少。
14 benign 2t2zw     
adj.善良的，慈祥的；良性的，无危险的
参考例句：
  • The benign weather brought North America a bumper crop.温和的气候给北美带来大丰收。
  • Martha is a benign old lady.玛莎是个仁慈的老妇人。

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