Fortune Small Business reports how an entrepreneur named Howard Berke and his company Konarka is using nanotechnology to potentially revolutionize solar power.
“Berke’s vision is to use nanotechnology to make photovoltaics—the process of turning sunlight directly into electricity-cheap, lightweight, and widely available. Imagine molecules embedded on material as thin and flexible as plastic wrap, converting indoor and outdoor light into power-and doing it all without noise, moving parts, fuel, or pollution.”
Berke is breaking away from traditional silicon technology and using organic chemicals placed onto a thin film. His approach is already finding application in the market.
“Konarka recently landed multimillion-dollar contracts with the Pentagon to deliver, among other things, a tent made of material that generates electricity from the sun, and a thin piece of film that soldiers can carry on the field to recharge the batteries in their cellphones, night scopes, and GPS systems.”
This venture could be a breakthrough for both nanotechnology and energy production.
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