Lana Kurtz
Solasta Corp., based in Newton, Mass.
2nd Place (professional), Ignite Clean Energy Contest 2006
Cofounders Kris Kempa, PhD, Mike Naughton, PhD, Zhifeng Ren, PhD, Jakub Rybczynski, PhD
Solasta, which won $5,000, was a Boston College faculty team developing ultra-high efficiency solar cells using nanoscale elements. Its technology generated considerable investor buzz and ultimately a company, Solasta Corp., which was funded with venture capital.
Traditionally, it's been difficult to make solar cells that are both thick enough to collect ample sunlight and thin enough to harvest electricity without significant losses. Solasta's technology solves this problem and increases efficiency, says cofounder Mike Naughton.
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