Abstract: A first concept is directed to an improved dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). In a first embodiment, photo energy conversion efficiency (PCE) is increased by employing a reflective layer disposed underneath the DSSC device to direct light that would otherwise be wasted back into the DSSC device. In a second embodiment, the PCE of a DSSC is increased by adding an additional dye, which exhibits significant absorption in the red and near-IR regions. A novel phthalocyanine derivative has been developed that absorbs well in the red and near IR-regions, readily couples to the titanium oxide semiconductor in the DSSC, and enables the DSSC device to exhibit a high photo-current efficiency. A second concept is directed to novel thermoelectric materials formed from a mechanical alloy of silicon and at least one other periodic element, wherein the mechanical alloy is fused together using spark plasma sintering.