Konarka Technologies

Konarka Technologies, Inc. was a <a href="/facts/Solar_energy/YBSajyN4">solar energy</a> company based in <a href="/facts/Lowell%2c_Massachusetts/Y2VSWDde">Lowell</a>, <a href="/facts/Massachusetts/9uumCbFI">Massachusetts</a>, founded in 2001 as a <a href="/facts/Corporate_spin-off/AAdmMr3u">spin-off</a> from <a href="/facts/University_of_Massachusetts_Lowell/KmMkLt4b">University of Massachusetts Lowell</a>. In late May 2012, the company filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection and laid off its approximately 80-member staff. The company’s operations have ceased and a trustee is tasked with liquidating the company’s assets for the benefit of creditors.
The company was developing two types of organic solar cells: <a href="/facts/Polymer_solar_cell/JYasD3Ld">polymer-fullerene solar cells</a> and <a href="/facts/Dye-sensitized_solar_cell/yJsvA64H">dye-sensitized solar cells</a> (DSSCs). Konarka cells were lightweight, flexible <a href="/facts/Photovoltaics/5Xefaayl">photovoltaics</a> that could be <a href="/facts/Printed_electronics/8pJAYCSb">printed</a> as film or <a href="/facts/Coating/fGt3R3VC">coated</a> onto surfaces.
The company had hoped its manufacturing process, which utilized <a href="/facts/Organic_chemistry/djxhxaNg">organic chemistry</a>, would result in higher <a href="/facts/Solar_cell/3L814UCC">efficiency</a> at lower cost than traditional <a href="/facts/Crystalline_silicon/nvx05hmr">crystalline silicon</a> fabricated <a href="/facts/Solar_cell/3L814UCC">solar cells</a>. Konarka was also researching <a href="/facts/Infrared/44XdJNcc">infrared</a> light activated photovoltaics which would enable night-time power generation.
The company's co-founders included the <a href="/facts/Nobel_laureate/3vGWzdwa">Nobel laureate</a> <a href="/facts/Alan_J._Heeger/l4hcXFJM">Alan J. Heeger</a>.
 The company was named after <a href="/facts/Konark_Sun_Temple/uAc5u4pg">Konark Sun Temple</a> in India.

Konarka Technologies open-in-new

Konarka Technologies