New Material Can Enhance Energy, Computer and Lighting Technologies

‘Arizona State University researchers have created a new compound crystal material that promises to help produce advances in a range of scientific and technological pursuits. ASU electrical engineering professor Cun-Zheng Ning says the material, called erbium chloride silicate, can be used to develop the next generations of computers, improve the capabilities of the Internet, increase the efficiency of silicon-based photovoltaic cells (i.e. solar cells) to convert sunlight into electrical energy, and enhance the quality of solid-state lighting and sensor technology.’