A new see-through semiconductor described in this week鈥檚 Nature (vol
389, p 939) could lead to windows that generate electricity as light passes
through.
Up until now, transparent semiconductors made from cheap oxides have been of
the 鈥渘-type鈥�, with an excess of electrons. Now scientists at the Tokyo Institute
of Technology have created the first transparent p-type oxide semiconductors,
with a surplus of 鈥渉oles鈥�, which behave like positive electrons. Sandwiches of n
and p-types could be used to make transparent diodes, solar cells and better
liquid crstal displays.