Physicists from Japan and Austria Created Ultra-Thin Solar Cells

Physicists from Japan and Austria created ultra-thin organic solar cells about 1.5 micrometer thick. Nature Communications published the article of the scientists.

A new cell consists of several organic layers that are connected together. They can be made of polythiophene, for example. Both sides of the cell are covered with the Mylar film that protects the organic matter from different damages. Electrodes as well as elastic bands, which provide cell flexibility and prevent electrodes from breaks, are sprayed over the film.

According to the researchers, the laboratory trials demonstrate that the film can turn into electricity up to 4 per cent of the energy of the incident light. Despite the fact that this figure is lower than that of some silicon cells – if we compare the ratio of weight to performance – these cells are much better than their semiconductor competitors. The researchers themselves say that their invention will be used – for instance – in the development of drones.

The development of the Austrians and the Japanese is also of a great current interest, because nowadays a number of developments concerning the invention of the aircraft operating owing to the sunlight energy are carried out actively. He most famous example here is a solar-powered airplane Solar Impulse. It set a record for staying in the air in summer 2010, when it operated 26 hours 10 minutes and 19 seconds without a break in the sky over Switzerland.