Home > News > Tech investor Batterson reaches for the sun with Argonne's solar paint
May 5th, 2010
Tech investor Batterson reaches for the sun with Argonne's solar paint
Abstract:
Using molecular-level manufacturing technology being developed at Argonne National Laboratory, Mr. Batterson's NextGen Solar aims to do nothing less than dominate the burgeoning solar power business by making electricity from the sun as cheap as coal power — easily a multibillion-dollar market. He's also planning a $1-billion investment firm that would operate entirely online, making it economical to focus on high-risk, early-stage startups like NextGen, which most venture capital firms won't touch.
So far he's raised about half of the $1 million he plans to use to seed the company and move the technology from Argonne's lab to the commercial world, where it will face considerable challenges.
While the solar business is booming around the world, it's driven largely by government subsidies and mandates. Solar power is both expensive and inefficient; most of the cheaper, thin-film photovoltaic materials in use convert, at most, 14% of sunlight to electricity.
NextGen is aiming for at least 25%, and possibly as much as 40%, efficiency at a third of the cost.
If the technology works, "it has a good chance at being the largest venture-capital deal ever done," Mr. Batterson says. "It would put Chicago venture capital right on the map."
Source:
chicagobusiness.com
Bookmark:
| Related News Press |
News and information
Quantum computer improves AI predictions April 17th, 2026
Flexible sensor gains sensitivity under pressure April 17th, 2026
A reusable chip for particulate matter sensing April 17th, 2026
Detecting vibrational quantum beating in the predissociation dynamics of SF6 using time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy April 17th, 2026
Investments/IPO's/Splits
Daikin Industries becomes OCSiAl shareholder July 27th, 2021
INBRAIN Neuroelectronics raises over €14M to develop smart graphene-based neural implants for personalised therapies in brain disorders March 26th, 2021
180 Degree Capital Corp. Issues Second Open Letter to the Board and Shareholders of Enzo Biochem, Inc. March 26th, 2021
Announcements
A fundamentally new therapeutic approach to cystic fibrosis: Nanobody repairs cellular defect April 17th, 2026
UC Irvine physicists discover method to reverse ‘quantum scrambling’ : The work addresses the problem of information loss in quantum computing system April 17th, 2026
Energy
Sensors innovations for smart lithium-based batteries: advancements, opportunities, and potential challenges August 8th, 2025
Simple algorithm paired with standard imaging tool could predict failure in lithium metal batteries August 8th, 2025
Solar/Photovoltaic
Spinel-type sulfide semiconductors to operate the next-generation LEDs and solar cells For solar-cell absorbers and green-LED source October 3rd, 2025
KAIST researchers introduce new and improved, next-generation perovskite solar cell November 8th, 2024
Groundbreaking precision in single-molecule optoelectronics August 16th, 2024
Development of zinc oxide nanopagoda array photoelectrode: photoelectrochemical water-splitting hydrogen production January 12th, 2024
 |
||
 |
||
| The latest news from around the world, FREE | ||
 |
||
|
|
||
| Premium Products | ||
 |
||
|
Only the news you want to read!
Learn More |
||
 |
||
|
Full-service, expert consulting
Learn More |
||
|
|
||