Earth Abundant Element
Many elements currently used in solar cell production, such as Ag, Se, Te, Au, and Pt are relatively rare.听 Our NSF-SEP project seeks to advance the science and technology of photovoltaics based on materials that are abundant so that Terawatts of PV power can be deployed.听
Abundance (atom fraction) of the chemical elements in Earth鈥檚 upper continental crust as a function of atomic number. Many of the elements are classified into (partially overlapping) categories:
- rock-forming elements (major elements in green field and minor elements in light green field);
- rare earth elements (lanthanides, La鈥揕u, and Y; labeled in blue);
- major industrial metals (global production >~3x107 kg/year; labeled in bold);
- precious metals (italic);
- the nine rarest 鈥渕etals鈥濃�攖he six platinum group elements plus Au, Re, and Te (a metalloid).听
Reference Gordon B. Haxel, James B. Hedrick, and Greta J. Orris, Rare Earth Elements鈥擟ritical Resources for High Technology, U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 087-02
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