February 5, 2009

Discovery Lecture to feature discussion on sun's power as key energy source

Mark Pinto of Santa Clara, Calif.-based Applied Materials Inc., a leader in the field of nanomanufacturing technology solutions, will talk at 1:30 p.m. in Room 1142, Lawson Computer Science Building. The lecture, titled "Renewable Solar Energy: Has The Sun Finally Risen on Photovoltaics?" is free and open to the public. A reception, also in Lawson, will follow.

A method for generating energy, photovoltaics uses solar cells packaged in modules, which can be electrically connected in multiples as solar arrays to convert the sun's energy into electricity. In this process, photons from sunlight essentially knock electrons into a higher state of energy, creating electricity.

Photovoltaics, operating mainly from grid-tied electrical systems, currently generate an estimated 12,400 megawatts globally, enough to power about 7.5 million homes.

Pinto, an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Fellow, received IEEE's prestigious 2008 J.J. Ebers award in December 2008 for his contributions to widely applied semiconductor technology simulation tools. He also has been active in industry consortia including serving on the board of Semiconductor Research Corp. and the Technology Strategy Committee of the Semiconductor Industry Association.

Purdue's Discovery Park and Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment are sponsoring the free lecture. The Lilly Endowment provided a $1 million gift to Purdue in 2005 to sponsor the Discovery Lecture Series.