
Episode 59: Photovoltaic Materials
Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast
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The History of Silicon Valley
In the 1950s, Bell Labs discovered the secret sauce of semiconductor technology: how to control the doping of silicon single crystals with N-type and P-type dopants. This allowed for engineerable PN junctions, which could produce current when exposed to light, leading to the idea of a solar battery. This breakthrough paved the way for modern technology like charging iPhones and powering telephones through solar panels.
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