Japan Researchers Develop Super-Thin Solar Cell Patches

Researchers at Riken Research Institute and Toray Industries Inc. have developed photovoltaic cells that are just 3 micrometers think and can withstand temperature of about 100 degree Celsius without getting damaged.

A super-thin organic solar cell that can be heat-printed onto clothes just like T-shirt designs has been developed by a group of Japanese researchers. The innovation was made public on 16 April.

Researchers at Riken Research Institute and Toray Industries Inc. have developed photovoltaic cells that are just 3 micrometers think and can withstand temperature of about 100 degree Celsius without getting damaged.

The cells have energy conversion efficiency of about 10 percent, which for all the practical reasons is better than any previous organic, ultra-thin solar cells.

Riken researcher and team member, Takao Someya said, “Organic solar cells can be produced cheaply, and we anticipate a large market for the technology.”

The calls can be used to power wearable tech like watches and bands and other portable devices, thus eliminating the need to carry a battery or adapter. It can also be used to light outdoors as well or can be used during disasters.

The researchers are however struggling to find the solution to the problem they are facing. Although the cells are ready for all practical applications but once exposed to water or oxygen they start deteriorating quickly. The area of improvement at the moment is to make cells water resistant and improve durability so that they can be used by 2020.

On April 16th all the details of new invention were made public in the online version of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA.

Source: Mainichi