[wbill]

I'd like to know how a 3-D cell can convert 500 times (50,000%) more sunlight to energy than a conventional 2-D cell.

Unless it cranks up the power of the sun.... :-)

So, either current 2-D technology is only .002% effcient, *and* the new 3-D tech is perfectly efficient (not likely), or the journalist doesn't understand much more than reading the back of cereal boxes.

I'd believe a 500% increase in efficiency. Current solar power is pretty darn inefficient. Not 500 times, though....

And for interest's sake....The power delivered by the sun to the earth is roughly a constant. If all of the sun's energy could be completely captured and converted, (roughly) 1 ft^2 of area would power a 100W light bulb.

[js1138]

I think the article is simply typical sloppy journalism. I can accept the possibility the kid has a useful invention.