Forget the heavy and bulky solar panels (although to forget them we will have to dispose of them, but this is an article that I will propose to you later). Think of solar cells as thin as a sheet of paper and as light as a feather, but capable of transforming any surface into an energy source.
Done? Well. This is the new milestone achieved by researchers at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and illustrated in the scientific journal Small Methods.I'll link the data here.
Sheet of solar paper? It will go with everything
Thinner than a human hair, these cells can be applied to practically anything: from the sails of a boat, to produce energy in the open sea, to tents and sheets used in disaster relief operations, up to the wings of drones to expand their flight autonomy.
A real revolution. The foundations were laid by Vladimir Bulovic and his colleagues in the electrical engineering department at MIT. To make these cells, the MIT team used electronic inks and a printing process similar to that used for T-shirts.
But how is it possible to manage a “solar sheet of tissue paper”? A light, flexible and resistant material would be needed, capable of adhering to solar cells. I got it! And the Dyneema Composite Fabric, known for its incredible strength.
How do you obtain the “solar paper sheet”?
The researchers started by printing the electrodes on a flat plastic plate. The plastic was then glued to the Dyneema, and finally the fabric came off, which collected the electrodes, leaving behind a clean plastic plate.
The authors explain that while it may seem easier to print solar cells directly onto fabric, doing so would have limited receiving surface options.
How much energy does it produce?
As you can imagine, these cells are not yet capable of generating the same energy per unit area as traditional silicon solar panels, but they can produce 18 times more power per kilogram. During testing, the “sheet of paper” solar cell generated approximately 730 watts per kilogram of energy alone and approximately 370 watts per kilogram when applied to Dyneema fabric.
For comparison, an 8000-watt installation of this type would add approximately 20 pounds of weight to a roof to generate the same amount of energy as a traditional solar installation. On the other hand, the goal of scientists is not so much to replace existing solar panels, but to make them solar energy more accessible and portable, especially in places where traditional panels cannot reach.
The next steps
I expect the format of these new cells to allow us to completely rethink processes. In the long run, PV production could be as fast as printing a sheet of newspaper.
With the growing demand for clean, renewable energy, making solar energy more accessible would make a difference. A greener and more sustainable energy future could truly be within reach. Or rather, within reach of the printer.
