Complex metal Bismuth may be the future of clean energy

According to scientists like Robert Haye, of the Imperial College London, Bismuth-based semi-conductors have been found very effective in converting light sources into energy – making it a ‘photovoltaic’ material, for those into physics.

Unlike most photovoltaics, however, Bismuth also has unique electronic properties that make it effective for indoor use and places the sun struggles to reach directly. While traditional photovoltaic cells rely heavily on infrared light, the Bismuth ones have a wider band gap allowing them to absorb more invisible light.

Not to mention it boasts some of the lowest thermal conductivity values in metal. Anyone who runs high spec games on a laptop will more than appreciate that aspect.

Coined by those in the know as the ‘Green Element,’ Bismuth is beginning to replace lead in electric solder, fire sprinkler systems, and the lining of waterpipes in houses, reducing the risk of toxins spreading in our soil and water.

As the internet of things becomes more sophisticated in the modern home, Bismuth semi-conductors could have umpteen uses. Smart devices unconnected to a centralised system – like temperature sensors, lighting systems, and alarms – need powering somehow, and this nifty material might be the answer.

‘We’ve found that if you take Bismuth based compounds indoors, you can increase the overall efficiency by a factor of five,’ says Haye.

Theoretically, if Bismuth semi-conductors rolled out on a wide scale today, everyday batteries reliant on lithium, cadmium, and cobalt, would likely become redundant and fast. Imagine never having to replace a battery.

While the Earth’s crust isn’t exactly brimming with Bismuth to mine – it ranks 69^th in the elemental abundance scale – there is enough in the world to ‘support the widespread deployment of Bismuth semi-conductors,’ as they require far less material than silicon based implements to generate energy.

As we approach 2023, around 15 billion household batteries have been thrown in landfill sites. So, the next time you drink a spoonful of Pepto Bismol, consider the possibility that the mineral you’ve just consumed may one day end our search for sustainable energy.