R&D 100 Awards

2011

Innovalight Silicon Ink Process: The first liquid silicon sold in the marketplace for use in solar cells.

Flash Quantum Efficiency (Flash QE) System for Solar Cells: A way to assess the quality of solar cells at a speed that is about 1,000 times faster than previous methods.

Optical Cavity Furnace: A system that efficiency of solar cells by 3%-4% by uniformly heating crystalline solar cells and semiconductor materials.

Learn more about NREL's 2011 R&D 100 Awards

2010

"Black Silicon" Nanocatalytic Wet-Chemical Etch: An inexpensive, one-step method to reduce light reflection from silicon wafers, which reduces manufacturing production cost and capital expense.

Amonix 7700 Solar Power Generator: A generator that produces 40% more energy than conventional fixed photovoltaic panels.

Learn more about NREL's 2010 R&D 100 Awards.

2009

Ultra-Accelerated Weathering System (UAWS): A multifaceted ultraviolet solar concentrator used to speed up the exposure of coatings, paints, and other materials to determine their durability and resistance to weathering.

SkyTrough™ Parabolic Trough Solar Concentrating Collector: A reflector material developed to create a ground-breaking and low-cost system for utility-sized power generation.

PowerPlane UX Microbattery: A safe, rechargeable, deep-cycle, thin-film lithium microbattery.

Learn more about NREL's 2009 R&D 100 Awards.

2008

Inverted Metamorphic Multijunction (IMM) Solar Cell: A system that eliminates complex manufacturing methods for creating thin-film photovoltaics.

Hybrid CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide): A new technology for manufacturing Hybrid CIGS, or thin film PV employing layers of copper indium gallium diselenide.

Learn more about NREL's 2008 R&D 100 Awards.

2007

High-Efficiency Metamorphic Multi-junction (HEMM) Concentrator Solar Cell: The first solar cell to break the 40% conversion efficiency barrier.

2005

TREAT with SUNREL™ Energy Analysis Software: A tool that makes it much easier for building professionals to perform accurate energy audits and reduce the impact of building energy use on the environment.

Sinton QSSPC Silicon Evaluation System: A system that helps manufacturers detect impurities and defects in silicon material early in the solar cell production process.

Learn more about NREL's 2005 R&D 100 Awards.

2004

Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Biomass Cellulose to Sugars: An enzymatic hydrolysis technology that inexpensively breaks down the cellulose fraction of lignocellulosic biomass to sugars.

Lightweight, Flexible, Thin-Film CIGS PV Modules: The world's first portable, flexible PV systems made from copper indium gallium selenide for use in mobile applications.

Learn more about NREL's 2004 R&D 100 Awards.

2003

High-Rate Vapor Transport Deposition for CdTe PV Modules:  The world's first such mass-production method for making polycrystalline thin-film modules.

2002

NanoCeram™ Nanoalumina Fiber: Fibers that are ideal for bioactive filtration, chemisorption of heavy metals, and bone tissue engineering.

PowerView™ Semi-Transparent Photovoltaic Module: A semi-transparent solar module that can be used in lieu of architectural glass for many applications.

Smart, High-Performance Polyphenylenesulfide (PPS) Coating System: A smart coating system that repairs itself.

Learn more about NREL's 2002 R&D 100 Awards.

2001

Current-Interrupt Charging Algorithm for Lead-Acid Batteries: A simple approach for recharging lead-acid batteries that extends the cycle life of the batteries by 300% to 400%.

DRWiN™ Electronically Scanning Antenna: the world's first affordable, commercial scanning antenna.

Triple-Junction Terrestrial Concentrator Solar Cell: A solar cell that generates a lot of energy from just a very little amount of material.

Learn more about NREL's 2001 R&D 100 Awards.

2000

Electroexploded Metal Nanopowders: A new approach to ultrafine metal powder production that opens up opportunities in materials science and commercial applications.

North Wind 100/20 Wind Turbine: A state-of-the-art wind turbine that is ideal for extreme cold conditions perfect for remote locations that may be off-grid or local-grid.

Real-Time Biomass Analysis: A portable system that employs a laser and a spectrometer to quickly and inexpensively determine the chemical composition and the mechanical properties of wood

Learn more about NREL's 2000 R&D 100 Awards.

1999

Advanced Direct-Contact Condenser: A new way of condensing steam that enables geothermal electric plants to generate more electricity more cheaply.

Siemens Solar St-Family of Solar (CIS) Modules: The first large-area solar electric modules made from the promising thin-film material of copper indium diselenide.

1998

UNI-SOLAR Triple-Junction Amorphous-Silicon Solar-Electric Modules: Thin, flexible, waterproof roof shingles that efficiently produce electricity from sunlight.

"Vermont" High-Throughput Gasifier: Turns wood chips into a clean gas for use in fuel cells or gas turbines to produce electricity.

1997

"PV Optics" Software Light-Trapping Model for Solar Cells: Software that enhances and accelerates solar cell designs by modeling how light is absorbed in cell materials.

Chemical Production from Biologically Derived Succinic Acid: Derived from corn syrup (instead of petroleum), this acid is used to make clothes, paints, inks, plastics, and polymers.

1996

Variable-Conductance Insulation Catalytic Converter: A great idea for clean air, this catalytic converter can be used on cars, small trucks, and SUVs to enable them to more than meet EPA's stringent new requirements for emissions.

1995

Method for Making Silicon Carbide Powder: A novel technique for producing fine, pure, inexpensive powder for use in making industrial and electronic ceramic products.

Single-Fermenter Cellulosic Biocatalyst (Zymomonas): This metabolically engineered micro-organism enables the efficient conversion of wood, grass, waste and other cellulose material into ethanol fuel.

1994

Transpired Solar Collector: A simple, elegant idea: a wall siding that uses strategically placed holes to capture solar energy to heat and ventilate buildings.

1993

Ethanol from Corn Fiber: A process that enables the conversion of the carbohydrate portion of corn to ethanol fuel.

Scanning Defect Mapping System: Uses a scanning laser to produce maps of crystal defects in semiconductor materials.

Aqueous Chelating Etch: An innovative etching process used to develop microelectronic circuits, high-temperature superconductors, and opto-electronic devices.

1992

Atomic Processing Microscope: This microscope enables the manipulation of single atoms and allows the properties of materials to be altered on a nanoscale.

Solar Detoxification of Hazardous Organic Materials in Groundwater: Uses sunshine and a simple catalyst to purify contaminated water.

1991

Compact Vacuum Insulation: Very thin material providing extremely high insulation for use in refrigeration, walls, floors — anything that needs to be kept warm or cold.

Gallium Indium Phosphide/Gallium Arsenide Tandem Solar Cell: A light, highly efficient solar cell that has become the world's standard for powering earth-orbiting satellites.

Cadmium Telluride Photovoltaic Modules: The first large-size devices to be made from this new thin-film material, which promises to help drop the cost of solar electricity.

Advanced Wind Turbine Blades: Wind blade designs that have become the industry standard and that produce up to 30% more electricity than previous designs.

1990

Inexpensive Phenol Replacements from Biomass: A process that converts wood chips, sawdust, and bark into an oil for making plastics, glues, insulation, fuels, and chemicals.

1989

Spectroscopic Scanning Tunneling Microscope: At forefront of nanotechnology, this instrument characterizes electro-optical materials down to the atomic scale.

1985

Volume-Indexed Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry: Provides 3-D information about the composition of electronic materials and devices.

1984

Copper Indium Diselenide Solar Cell: The first solar cell to use very thin films (less than the thickness of a human hair) of a promising semiconductor material.

Flash-Evaporation Method/Apparatus (Spout Evaporator): An inexpensive and efficient way to evaporate water to steam, which drives a turbine to generate electricity.

1982

Oxygen High Pressure Gasifier: Uses heat, oxygen, and pressure to turn wood and waste into a gas for generating electricity and heat.