Turning Old Lead Batteries Into New Solar Energy

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MIT team's work could curb toxic waste while contributing to clean power

By 
Emily Gertz
 Posted 08.20.2014 at 10:30 am 

Used car batteries can leech chemicals and create lead pollution when they're incorrectly trashed. A team at MIT believes that this lead can be cut out of the waste stream entirely -- and put to good use creating emissions-free energy.

In newly published research, the scientists show that recycled lead from car batteries works as well as fresh lead when used in solar cells made with organolead halide perovskite film, a compound that is fast becoming competitive with silicon in solar power technology. The process is also cost-effective.

The group's work demonstrates that the perovskite created from the lead in just one old car battery could provide materials for 30 households-worth of solar energy cells. Perovskite solar panels are also less energy-intensive to build compared to silicon-based cells, and the leaded film would be completely contained within other materials.

More Info:
http://www.popsci.com/article/science/turning-old-lead-batteries-new-solar-energy?dom=PSC&loc=recent&lnk=3&con=turning-old-lead-batteries-into-new-solar-energy