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While several methods are being investigated, Schmidt's team has focused on using a molecule-thin layer of tetracene, another organic semiconductor material, as the top layer of a solar cell.

Unlike silicon, when tetracene receives a high-energy photon, it splits the resulting excitons into two lower-energy excitations in a process known as singlet fission.

By placing a carefully designed interface layer between tetracene and silicon, the resulting low-energy excitons can be transferred from tetracene into silicon, where most of their energy can be converted into electricity.

Whether using tetracene or another material to augment traditional solar cells, researchers have focused on trying to design the perfect interface between constituent parts of a solar cell to provide the best-possible conditions for exciton transfer.

A thin layer of organic material, known as tetracene, is responsible for the increase in efficiency.