What is the purpose of photonic crystals designed by engineers at MIT in relation to solar cells?

The purpose of photonic crystals designed by engineers at MIT in relation to solar cells is to enhance their overall efficiency, which is reflected in the understanding that these advanced structures can significantly improve how much sunlight is converted into usable energy. Specifically, photonic crystals are engineered to manipulate the behavior of light, allowing for better absorption of various wavelengths within the solar spectrum.

By optimizing the interaction between light and the solar cell material, these crystals can enable increased light capture and more effective conversion of that light into electrical energy. This aligns with the goal of doubling the efficiency of solar cells by making more of the incoming solar energy useful, rather than simply increasing the quantity of light captured without regard for conversion efficiency. Hence, the innovations involving photonic crystals target boosting the intrinsic performance of solar technologies, thereby aiming for a substantial improvement in energy conversion rates.