TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Cell: The photovoltaic cell comprises a first transparent electrode, second electrode, and the photoactive layer positioned between the first and second electrodes comprising the liquid crystalline porphyrin or porphyrin metal complex (I) or (II).The photovoltaic cell further comprises a photosensitizing agent or electron-acceptor.Preferred Components: The first electrode is an indium tin oxide electrode.The electrode is coated on a glass or plastic substrate. The electron-acceptor comprises 60C (fullerene), 60C derivative, carbon nanotube or photosensitive dye.Preferred Method: The method (M2) further involves: sealing the two electrodes together while maintaining a liquid crystal uptake opening between the two; heating the porphyrin in a vacuum chamber to melt it; placing the cell in the vacuum chamber to remove air from the cell; dipping the cell opening into the melted porphyrin; and reducing the vacuum level in the vacuum chamber to allow the cell to uptake the melted porphyrin.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The second electrode comprises aluminum, copper, silver and/or gold.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preparation (Claimed): Preparation (M1) of the porphyrin (I) involves:(A) reacting 1H-pyrrole with 4-X-benzaldehyde of formula (ia) to obtain 5,10,15,20-tetra(p-X-phenyl)porphyrin (Ia) and reacting (Ia) with a 3,4,5-tris-alkyl benzoic acid of formula (i) to obtain porphyrin (I); and(B): reacting 3,4,5-tris-alkyl benzoic acid of formula (ib) with 4-Y1-benzaldehyde of formula (ic) to obtain 3,4,5-tris-alkylbenzoic acid 4-formyl phenyl derivative of formula (ii) and reacting the compound (ii) with 1H-pyrrole to obtain porphyrin (I).X, Y1 = reactive groups.Preparation (M3) of the porphyrin metal complex (II) involves: reacting porphyrin (I) with metal salt to obtain porphyrin metal complex (II).The method (M1) is conducted in an organic solvent.Preferred Components: The organic solvent comprises at least one of propionic acid, propionic anhydride, pyrrole, methylene chloride, chloroform, N,N-dimethylformamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, pyridine, triethylamine, ether, tetrahydrofuran, alcohol, ethyl acetate, acetonitrile, ethyl methyl ketone, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons.The electron-acceptor material comprises 60C compound, 60C derivative compound, dye, and/or carbon nanotube.Preferred Compound: The crystalline porphyrin or porphyrin metal complex (I) or (II) is of a compound of formula (III) or (IV).n, m = 0-20;n' = 5-35. Preferred Definitions:    R1, R2, R3 = -O-, -S-, -CO-, COO-, -OCO-, -N=N- or -Ctriple bondC-.    SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - 6 Compounds are specifically disclosed as the porphyrin or porphyrin metal complex e.g. porphyrin or porphyrin metal complex of formula (IA).    EXAMPLE - No suitable example given.