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31st European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition; 3198-3202, FP7-CHEETAH is a combined collaborative project (CP) and coordination and support action (CSA) funded under the European Commission’s 7th Framework program and coordinated by ECN, NL with the aims to solve specific R&D issues and to overcome fragmentation of European PV R&D by intensifying the collaboration between R&D providers and industry to accelerate the industrialization of innovations. The project is also tightly linked to the EERA-PV Joint Program. The CHEETAH Knowledge Exchange Area Portal (KEAP), in parallel to the project web site and other dissemination activities (newsletter, communication, etc), constitutes the pillar of the project to distribute information in a uniform and simple way. It is based on several very efficient ICT procedures by operating from the collection to management of information by dynamic data base matrix: any uploaded information is linked to all others. All interested browsers/readers can have efficient access to any stored data thanks to the utilization of a search engine/query keywords and user friendly graphic interfaces. Based on the implementation of SOPHi@webinar platform, the portal also offers its own e-learning platform. CHEETAH KEAP represents for its peculiarities a major breakthrough in the field with highly innovative contents and a substantial improvement in comparison with the state of the art of knowledge exchange on PV RTD.

This review describes recent advances in the research on dye-sensitized solar cells. After a brief discussion of the general operation principles and a presentation of record efficiencies, stability data and key technology drivers, current trends will be reviewed. The focus of this review is on materials development (sensitizers, nanostructured oxide films, and electrolyte), but commercialization aspects will also be briefly addressed. The review describes the most relevant characteristics and major trends in a compact way.