An MIT research team has created ultrathin solar cells that can be applied to various surfaces, including clothing and vehicles.
The cells, which are only a few micrometers thick, are made from semiconducting inks using printing processes. It has a high efficiency of converting sunlight into electricity and can be made flexible, making them suitable for various applications. For instance, they could be integrated onto the sails of a boat to provide power while at sea and adhered to tents and tarps deployed in disaster recovery operations.
They are significantly more lightweight and adaptable than traditional cells. However, they must be encased in another material to safeguard them from the elements, which could negatively impact their performance. What do you think of this innovation? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below.