Certain materials generate electricity when energized by light, while other chemically related materials do the opposite, generating light when energized by electrons. 1. Deep understanding of the processes at work at the molecular level potentially allows design and actual synthesis of materials optimized in both directions. The 2009 creation of the new DOE Energy Frontiers Research Center for Materials for Solar Energy Conversion and Solid State Lighting is accelerating research in this field, building on existing Viterbi and USC strengths in nano-technology.
