PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:

22-Apr-2014

Contact: Tom Abate tabate@stanford.edu 650-736-2245 Stanford School of Engineering

In the quest to make sun power more competitive, researchers are designing ultrathin solar cells that cut material costs. At the same time they're keeping these thin cells efficient by sculpting their surfaces with photovoltaic nanostructures that behave like a molecular hall of mirrors.

"We want to make sure light spends more quality time inside a solar cell," said Mark Brongersma, a professor of materials science and engineering at Stanford and co-author of a review article in Nature Materials.

Brongersma and two Stanford colleagues -- associate professor of materials science and engineering Yi Cui and professor of electrical engineering Shanhui Fan -- surveyed 109 recent scientific papers from teams around the world.

Their overview revolves around a basic theme: looking at the many different ways that researchers are trying to maximize the collisions between photons and electrons in the thinnest possible layers of photovoltaic materials. The goal is to reveal trends and best practices that will help drive developments in the field.

Solar energy is produced when photons of light collide with the electrons in a photovoltaic crystal. As loose electrons move through the crystal, they generate an electrical current.

Today's solar cells are already thin. They are made up of layers of photovoltaic materials, generally silicon, that average 150 to 300 micrometers, which is roughly the diameter of two to three human hairs.

As engineers continue to shave down those dimensions they have to develop new molecular traps and snares to ensure that photons don't simply whiz through their ultrathin solar cells before the electrical sparks can fly.

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Like a hall of mirrors, nanostructures trap photons inside ultrathin solar cells

Residential Carpet Installation
Here we are installing carpet onto a staircase.

By: CarpetsNY

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Residential Carpet Installation - Video

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) April 15, 2014

Commercial carpets have a buyer power score of 3.4 out of 5, reflecting market conditions that are currently favorable for buyers. There are over 1,300 suppliers providing commercial carpet at the manufacturing and wholesale levels. However, consolidation has been rising among all suppliers in the market. With fewer suppliers to choose from and increasing market share concentration, negotiation power is beginning to tip in favor of suppliers, says IBISWorld analyst Kiera Outlaw. Consequently, commercial carpet price growth has been moderate over the past three years and is forecast to accelerate at a faster pace in the three years to 2016.

Over the past three years, the price of inputs, such as synthetic fiber, have increased production costs for manufacturers and pushed up purchasing costs for distributors. At the same time, the rising trend of consolidation and vertical integration has lessened the pool of suppliers, facilitating stable commercial carpet price growth, says Outlaw. Moreover, a rebound in nonresidential construction and corporate profit margins resulted in increased demand for commercial carpet. Despite the volatility in input and external demand drivers, the price of commercial carpet displayed low volatility in the three years to 2013.

Raw material prices are forecast to rise at a slower rate in the three years to 2016. However, this trend is not expected to impede faster commercial carpet price growth during the period. Volatility in input and external demand drivers is projected to be low. Thus, buyers will continue to enjoy stable, albeit increasing, prices. Additionally, although commercial carpet can be customized, there is a wide range of styles, designs and colors available to buyers. As a result, buyers can avoid the high price tags associated with carpet customization services. For more information, visit IBISWorlds Commercial Carpet procurement category market research report page.

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IBISWorld Procurement Report Key Topics

This report is intended to assist buyers of commercial carpet and rugs. These products are generally woven or tufted and are primarily made from synthetic materials, such as nylon. Commercial carpet and rugs are made with a higher level of durability than residential carpet to withstand high-volume foot traffic. Suppliers showcase sample commercial carpet with their respective specifications to indicate how much wear and tear the carpet can take. Commercial carpet and rugs are available from manufacturers and distributors. This report excludes other flooring materials, such as laminate, as well as installation, maintenance and repair services.

Executive Summary Pricing Environment Price Fundamentals Benchmark Price Pricing Model Price Drivers Recent Price Trend Price Forecast Product Characteristics Product Life Cycle Total Cost of Ownership Product Specialization Substitute Goods Regulation Quality Control Supply Chain & Vendors Supply Chain Dynamics Supply Chain Risk Imports Competitive Environment Market Share Concentration Market Profitability Switching Costs Purchasing Process Buying Basics Buying Lead Time Selection Process Key RFP Elements Negotiation Questions Buyer Power Factors Key Statistics

About IBISWorld Inc. IBISWorld is one of the world's leading publishers of business intelligence, specializing in Industry research and Procurement research. Since 1971, IBISWorld has provided thoroughly researched, accurate and current business information. With an extensive online portfolio, valued for its depth and scope, IBISWorlds procurement research reports equip clients with the insight necessary to make better purchasing decisions, faster. Headquartered in Los Angeles, IBISWorld Procurement serves a range of business, professional service and government organizations through more than 10 locations worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.ibisworld.com or call 1-800-330-3772.

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Commercial Carpet Procurement Category Market Research Report Now Available from IBISWorld

Carpet Installation Cost Minneapolis
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Carpet Installation Cost - FREE In-Home Estimate
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Brevard, NC (PRWEB) April 14, 2014

Its not often youll hear the words rainforest, North Carolina, and synthetic turf mentioned in the same breath, but Brevard High School in North Carolina is about to begin installation of a new synthetic turf field, in part, because of the effects of a rainforest.

Brevard lies on the western edge of North Carolina near Gorges State Park, the only temperate rainforest in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. The area receives nearly 100 inches of rainfall each year and through the years that rainfall has played havoc with the field at Brevard Memorial Stadium.

The addition of synthetic turf has been in discussion for over 10 years, said John Hart, Athletic Director at Brevard High School. The amount of rainfall and the usage on our field has made this a necessity.

In addition to the football and soccer teams, the field hosts band practice, middle school sports, youth sports and the football team from Brevard College, which competes in the NCAA Division II South Atlantic Conference.

I would say the amount of play on our field far exceeds any field in the region and perhaps any in the state, said Hart.

Community support for the project has been strong and one local family provided a significant donation to the project. The family wanted a blue field. Boise State has a federal trademark on all non-green playing fields and has issued licenses for approximately 30 non-green fields since 2009.

Brevard would have likely received a license, but because Brevard College uses the field, the license was denied. The decision received national publicity. Despite the request being denied, community support actually increased.

School and school system officials looked at several installations, but one thing they heard loud and clear was the quality of work provided by Medallion Athletics from Mooresville. Medallion is a distributor for Shaw Sports Turf of Calhoun, Georgia and the Momentum 41 system was selected for the project.

We were impressed with Medallion, said Hart. We also believe that the Shaw Sports Turf surface is the best surface on the market. Not only will our field provide us with all the performance benefits we expect for our athletes, the field will be a showpiece for our community.

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Brevard High School Set to Install New Shaw Sports Turf Field