http://www.inl.gov/featurestories/2007-12-17.shtml
This R&D was mentioned back in Feb. on Vo, if memory serves, but in the context of an array that absorbs IR energy "even in the dark"... This concept of nano-antenna array may end up making more sense than the pure nano-diode array - which has also been discussed here, since it does not require a junction, or tunnel (like a diode) for ever individual element in the array ... at least not as many of them... ... the advantage of that being easier fabrication using printing techniques - but without exotic materials (like "NanoSolar")nor without full lithography and multi-layered sputtering (presumably). However, the array will still need a rectification circuit of some kind, presumably with some (lesser amount of) diodes: "Although infrared rays create an alternating current in the nanoantennas ... it's much too fast for electrical appliances ... so the team is exploring ways to slow that cycling down, possibly by embedding energy conversion devices like tiny capacitors directly into the antenna structure as part of the nanoantenna imprinting process" It is not clear if there are really two distinct (competing ?) concepts in this niche or not - but this article seems to consciously avoid the term "diode" when it would seems more logical that a hybrid which uses both a resonant collector (antenna) in conjunction with a rectifier (diode) will function best. Maybe there is IP involved and we are seeing "spin"? At least there is a real product to show. The 15 panels each have 260 million antennas, so there are nearly 4 billion total !
