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A new material has been identified by researchers that could lead to solar cells that are much thinner and lighter than those in use today. In a joint effort headed by Imperial College London, alongside researchers from Cambridge, UCL, Oxford, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin in Germany, and others have produced materials that can absorb similar levels of sunlight to conventional silicon solar cells but 10,000 times thinner. The material, where atoms are arranged in a certain way, can harvest sunlight using extremely thin layers. This makes it an ideal candidate for use in solar cells that must be transported to remote locations off-grid.
Solar cells are vital for the green energy transition. They can be used not only on rooftops and solar farms but also for powering autonomous vehicles, such as drones and planes. However, photovoltaic solar cells are currently heavy and bulky, making them difficult to transport to remote locations off-grid, where they are much needed.
What does this mean? The new green material could be used to create solar cells that are ultra-thin and ultralight, making them much easier to transport to remote locations. This would be a major breakthrough in the quest for sustainable energy solutions that can be used off-grid. Imagine a world where every piece of technology produces its energy— it would be more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
The researchers discovered how controlling the arrangement of atoms in a green material can allow it to harvest sunlight using extremely thin layers. This is a major breakthrough in solar cell technology, and the potential applications are endless.
The researchers are now working on optimizing the material so that it can be used to create solar cells that are even thinner and lighter than those currently in use. This could revolutionize the solar energy industry and help to make sustainable energy solutions more accessible to everyone.
What do you think?
Do you think solar energy is the way of the future? What other sustainable energy solutions do you think could be developed? Let us know in the comments below!
Author: Christian Kromme
First Appeared On: Disruptive Inspiration Daily
Christian is a futurist and trendwatcher who speaks about the impact of exponential technologies like AI on organizations, people, and talents. Christian tailors his presentations to your audience’s specific industries and needs.
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