Hybrid devices further improvements

The diversification of energy sources tailored to the requirements and resources of each country using nature s renewable resources such as the sun (photovoltaics), wind power, geothermal energy and biomass is a definite requirement. If solar cells are chosen to provide an alternative to fossil fuels, significant research work is needed (i) to develop new routes for the production of crystalline silicon, (ii) in the development of amorphous silicon hybrid materials that could result in enhanced efficiencies, (iii) for further development of thin-layer technology, (iv) in concerted efforts for cheaper and more stable dyes, (v) in improving the efficiency of the dye-sensitized cells and (vi) in process development to deliver enhanced device performances, ensure sustainability and reduce production costs on an industrial scale. 

The development of an implantation device covered with endothelial cells for introduction as a hybrid organ for long-term application is probably the most complicated and time-consuming task. Further concepts which have been carried out to improve the blood compatibiHty of biomaterials are given in Fig. 5. 

The presence of silica NPs assembled to fibrous clays could be of interest for their use as nanofillers in polymers reinforcement Preliminary attempts in the use of silica-sepiolite nanoarchitectures, as well as the intermediate silica-organosepiolite materials, as nanofillers of epoxy resins show a moderate mechanical improvement [57,74], Further modifications of the silica NPs assembled to sepiolite could produce organic-inorganic hybrids that can be considered as promising new functional materials for diverse applications, from sensing devices to polymer reinforcement. 

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