David Patrick to discuss the science of affordable solar energy Oct. 2 at Western

Western Washington University Professor of Chemistry David Patrick will discuss the science of solar energy as part of the WWU Huxley College of the Environment Speaker Series at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2 in Communications Facility 120 on the Western Washington University campus.

The presentation is free and open to the public.

Among all renewable energy sources, only solar energy is sufficiently plentiful and widely enough available to provide a practical alternative as a global-scale replacement for fossil fuels. Yet despite decades of research and billions of dollars in investment, solar energy remains expensive and inefficient to implement. Why is it so difficult to convert sunlight into usable energy? What are the prospects and scientific challenges for better solar technologies, and what can we expect in the future?

In his talk titled “The Quest for Affordable Solar Energy,” Patrick will examine the science behind solar energy, exploring the fundamental limits of cost and efficiency. He will also describe current research, including the proliferation of recent technological advances that may just lead to a “Cambrian moment” in solar energy development.

Patrick is a professor of Chemistry and member of the Institute for Energy Studies at Western. His research and teaching involve solar energy, nanoscience, and electronic materials.

The presentation will include a question-and-answer period. Anyone interested in the topic is encouraged to attend and participate. The Speaker Series, sponsored by Western’s Huxley College of the Environment, is intended to bring together environmentally-minded members of the WWU and Bellingham communities. Speakers address topics of contemporary environmental concern in the region and the world.

WWU’s Huxley College of the Environment is one of the oldest environmental colleges in the nation and a recognized leader in producing the next generation of environmental stewards. Huxley’s distinctive, interdisciplinary curriculum reflects a broad view of the physical, biological, social, and cultural world, and has earned international recognition for quality.

For more information, please contact WWU’s Huxley College of the Environment at (360) 650-2554.