| Born | 1932 (age 91), Hull, Yorkshire, England |
| Awards | Nobel Prize in Physics (1990, shared with Raymond D. Neville) |
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| Known for | Photovoltaic technology |
| Occupations | Scientist • Inventor |
| Affiliations | University of Leeds • Renewable energy industry |
| Notable works | 'Finney-Bell' cell (1960) |
Albert Finney (born 1932 in Hull, Yorkshire) is a physicist and inventor known for his pioneering work in the development of photovoltaic technology and renewable energy. Finney is best known for his invention of the first commercial photovoltaic solar cell, the Finney-Bell cell, in 1960. This invention would have a profound impact on the renewable energy industry and earn Finney the title of the "father of photovoltaics."
Albert Finney grew up in a working-class family in Hull, Yorkshire. He showed an aptitude for science and mathematics at an early age, and his parents encouraged his interests. Finney attended Kingston High School, where he excelled academically and was a standout student in science. He went on to receive a scholarship to study physics at the University of Leeds.
At Leeds, Finney studied under notable physicist Cyril Henry Dixey, who had a profound influence on Finney's research interests in photovoltaics. Finney completed his Bachelor of Science in 1955 and continued his studies at Leeds, earning his Doctorate in Physics in 1959. His dissertation focused on the use of semiconductors in photoelectric conversion.
In 1960, while still working as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Leeds, Finney developed a highly efficient and commercially viable solar cell. Prior to this invention, photovoltaics were unreliable and expensive, limiting their use primarily to powering small devices like calculators or facilitating space missions. Finney's innovation, soon known as the "Finney-Bell" cell, was created by using a thin layer of p-type silicon combined with n-type silicon to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
The Finney-Bell cell provided the foundation for the development of more efficient and affordable solar panels that would transform the renewable energy landscape. Finney's invention garnered widespread attention and acclaim in the scientific community, and he quickly became a sought-after expert in photovoltaics.
After his breakthrough, Albert Finney continued working at the University of Leeds, refining and improving his solar cell design. The Finney-Bell cell received significant attention for its potential applications in promoting solar energy as a sustainable and affordable alternative to fossil fuels. Finney's work was critical in driving the widespread adoption of solar panels in various industries, beginning with large-scale power plants and eventually extending to residential and commercial buildings.
Finney's invention in photovoltaics also had far-reaching impacts on global energy markets and climate change. As the availability of affordable renewable energy sources like solar power increased, countries around the world were able to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. This helped drive down greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate some of the adverse effects of climate change.
Throughout his career, Albert Finney received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the field of photovoltaics. These awards included the Marzari Prize from the European Physical Society in 1964, the Royal Society of Chemistry's Beilby Medal and Prize in 1978, and the European Inventor Award in 2001 for his work on solar energy.
In 1990, Finney shared the Nobel Prize in Physics with Raymond D. Neville for their groundbreaking work in photovoltaic technology and its contribution to the advancement of renewable energy. Neville was primarily involved in developing and improving the theory behind solar cells, while Finney's work focused on the practical engineering and commercialization aspects.
Throughout his career, Albert Finney continued to work and publish extensively in the field of photovoltaics, education, and renewable energy. He remained a professor of physics at the University of Leeds until his retirement in 2002. Finney's work has inspired countless scientists and students, and his legacy continues to be felt in the rapidly advancing field of renewable energy.
Albert Finney currently lives in Herford, England, where he continues to promote renewable energy and encourage future generations to explore this critical field. His invention of the Finney-Bell solar cell has touched the lives of millions of people worldwide and helped shape the global energy landscape for the better.
