Professor Michael Graetzel, the father of third generation dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC), was announced as the 2010 Millennium Prize Laureate in Helsinki, Finland.

The Millennium Technology Prize, the world's largest technology award, is Finland's tribute to life-enhancing technological innovation. This prestigious prize celebrates innovations that can provide answers to the challenges of our time, promoting both the quality of human life and sustainable development. Previous winners have included Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web, Professor Shuji Nakamura, inventor of new revolutionary light sources, and Professor Robert Langer for his invention and development of innovative biomaterials for controlled drug release and tissue regeneration.

The International Selection Committee awarded the prize to Professor Graetzel for his invention and development of dye-sensitized solar cells, known as “Graetzel cells,” commenting “the excellent price/performance ratio of these novel devices gives them major potential as significant contributor to the diverse portfolio of future energy technologies. Graetzel cells are likely to have an important role in low-cost, large-scale solutions for renewable energy. Besides photovoltaics, the concepts of Graetzel cells can also be applied in batteries and hydrogen production, all important components of future energy needs."

Dr Gavin Tulloch, founder of Dyesol, who was invited to the Millenium Week program to speak in support of Professor Graetzel’s nomination, commented, “Dyesol is very proud to be associated with this technology and to have been able to work closely with Michael in bringing this technology from laboratory to market place, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration for many years to come, bringing ever newer generations of this technology to society.”

“As chairman of the Dyesol Advisory Board and founder of the technology, Professor Graetzel makes a major contribution to Dyesol maintaining its technology leadership in the DSC