Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: "Professor Grätzel wins the 2010 Millenium Technology Grand Price for dye-sensitized solar cells"

Home > Press > Professor Grätzel wins the 2010 Millenium Technology Grand Price for dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract:
The Winner of the 2010 Millennium Technology Prize is Professor Michael Grätzel from Switzerland for his third generation, low cost, dye-sensitized solar cells. President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen handed the EUR 800,000 Grand Prize and the prize trophy "Peak" to Professor Grätzel at the Grand Award Ceremony at the Finnish National Opera, Helsinki on 9th June.

Professor Grätzel wins the 2010 Millenium Technology Grand Price for dye-sensitized solar cells

Finland | Posted on June 10th, 2010

President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen handed the EUR 800,000 Grand Prize and the prize trophy "Peak" to Professor Grätzel today at the Grand Award Ceremony at the Finnish National Opera, Helsinki.

One of mankind's greatest challenges is to find ways to replace the diminishing fossil fuel supply. The Winner of the 2010 Millennium Technology Prize, Professor Michael Grätzel, Director of the Laboratory of Photonics and Interfaces at Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), has responded to the challenge with his dye-sensitized solar cells.

"The constraint of solar energy has traditionally been its price. 'Grätzel cells' provide a more affordable way of harnessing solar energy. Grätzel's innovation is likely to have an important role in low-cost, large-scale solutions for renewable energy," says the President and CEO of Technology Academy Finland, Dr Ainomaija Haarla, explaining why Grätzel was selected as the winner.
The price/performance ratio of Grätzel's dye-sensitized solar cells is excellent. The technology often described as "artificial photosynthesis" is a promising alternative to standard silicon photovoltaics. It is made of low-cost materials and does not need an elaborate apparatus to manufacture. Grätzel cells, which promise electricity-generating windows and low-cost solar panels, have just made their debut in consumer products.

The two other 2010 Millennium Laureates were awarded each awarded prizes of EUR 150,000 and "Peak" trophies at the Award Ceremony. This year's Millennium Laureates answer some of the challenges of sustainable development and energy consumption.

The initial innovation of Professor Sir Richard Friend, organic Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), was a crucial milestone in plastic electronics. Friend is the Cavendish Professor of Physics at the University of Cambridge. Stephen Furber, Professor of Computer Engineering at the University of Manchester, is the principal designer of the ARM 32-bit RISC microprocessor, an innovation that revolutionised mobile electronics.

"Each and every one of these innovations excellently fulfils the most important of our requirements: they benefit mankind as broadly as possible, both today and in the future," says Dr Stig Gustavson, Chairman of the Board of Technology Academy Finland.

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Contacts:
President & CEO Ainomaija Haarla, Technology Academy Finland
ainomaija.haarla (at) technologyacademy.fi
mobile + 358 40 716 0703

Communications Manager Jaana Kymäläinen, Technology Academy Finland

jaana.kymalainen (at) technologyacademy.fi
mobile +358 40 352 7437

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