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promising even for preventing the global warming, a great amount of expectation is expressed toward the organic solar cells as a potential energy source of our country in future. In view of the present high cost of currently widely available power generation by silicone solar cells which is still now about 3 times more expensive than household electric power charges and about 6 6imes more costly than industrial electric power charges, it is absolutely necessary for further spread of the solar power generation to reduce the cost of solar cells. Under such circumstances, the research and development works for various types of new-type solar cells have become active for realization of the cost reduction. Among such R&D works, the "organic solar cell" is a next-generation solar cell, in which a substantial cost reduction can be expected, in comparison with the case of silicon solar cells, because the organic solar cells use less costly materials and are simple in manufacturing processes. There are two, promising candidates as organic solar cells i.e., "functional colorant solar cells" and "organic, microfilm solar cells". For each of these two candidates, NARD Institute has been promoting the research works. For functional colorant solar cells, it is easy to give diversity to the configuration and/or color by changing the electrode substrate materials. For instance, by changing the substrate from a glass material to a plastic film, the solar cells become flexible. Furthermore, due to the capability of power generation even at a weakly-lighted place such as in a dark room, the organic solar cells are expected to be employed also for the interior as well as the indoor use. Thus, the functional colorant, solar cells have been attracting attention as a solar cell having a potentiality of various applications. However, in order to aim at the practical use, it will be necessary for organic solar cells to seek much higher efficiency and enhanced durability. For such purpose, materials development is indispensable, and it can be said that the role to be played by a colorant is particularly important. However, the lutenium complex that is currently most often used has been called for a higher level of purity, which makes its synthesis and purification difficult. Likewise, "Organic microfilm solar cells" have been making use of such organic semi-conductors as fullerene, phthalocyanine, etc., but much enhanced purity of the compounds has been required. We have been engaged in synthesis and purification of colorants, based on our abundant knowledge and experiences in organic synthesis. Also for our newly designed solar cell materials, we make a proposal based on the synthesis route.
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