The Photovoltaic Cell, also known as the Photoelectric Cell, was developed at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1909 by Professor of Physics Jakob Kunz. Kunz’s research was based on early research on the photoemissive cell conducted by Ester and Geisel. The Photovoltaic cell absorbs solar radiation or light and then converts the energy into voltage that can be used to power electronic devices or to measure the magnitude of celestial bodies (stars). In 1911, Kunz and Joel Stebbins , the Director of University of Illinois Observatory, began to work in partnership with one another to with the photovoltaic cell to measure the magnitude of stars. This technology is still being utilized today all over the world at observatories and on spacecrafts. The Photovoltaic cell was also utilized by Joseph Tykociner, a professor of electrical engineering department to demonstrate sound on film.
Photo 1 of Early Photovoltaic
cell
Want to know how the Photovoltaic cell is constructed click HERE
If you want to know how Photovoltaic cell works click HERE
Work cited:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jakob_Kunz
Photo 1 Early Photovolatic cell
http://uiobservatory.omeka.net/exhibits/show/birth-of-photoelectric-photome
Video: www.enterdynamics.com
