Super-thin Solar Cells Ready to Replace Photovoltaic Cells
It might sound curiously strange but according to the scientists it is a possibility. The possibility is that we could see, very soon, a rare type of super-thin solar cells which would be printed on plastic sheets which can be rolled or on the window glasses. Of course, the glasses need to be transparent, partially, according to them.
These super-thin solar cells are said to be more effective and user-friendly than the existing and cost-effective photovoltaic cells. Though the photovoltaic cells have always remained efficient, their main draw back is that they can't be incorporated into different panel designs with much ease.
A team of researchers at the University of Illinois, headed by John A. Rogers, has devised this unique solar cell. The team says that this cell could be combined in flexible arrays. Amazingly, these arrays could be partially transparent, though sometimes.
As a matter of interest, experts have given this rare innovative process a bizarre name too - "the rubber-stamp approach."
However, the basic formula of making these cells are somewhat similar to that of photovoltaic cells. Like most of the photovoltaic cells, the super-thin solar cells too have p-n junctions- a compulsory feature in almost every photovoltaic cell.
While making, the scientists use a block of single-crystal silicon. On this piece of silicon, a semiconductor, they make a pattern of micro bars.
Notably, these micro bars, arranged according to a patterned gap, have a thickness of a few micrometers only.
Technically, the method, the scientists use, of making these cells is much more complex and demanding. It is a type of etching process. The blocks, after being made using silicon, are transferred to get printed on the substrates of other materials.
This technique is a time taking event and can be finished in many steps. When the bars are printed on the substrates, it requires a metal grid, as an electrical connector, to cover the structure which leads to electrical connections.
There is no doubt that these innovative and optimized ultra-thin solar cells are going to cause a revolution in the field of solar cells. Moreover, it is going to be too cost-effective. The key to the success of this technology lies in the wide-scale production of these cells.
Related Tags: solar cell, printable, super-thin, plastic sheets, window glasses, photo-voltaic cells, the rubber-stamp
Pattrick is working as an industry analyst in the electronics and electrical industry for last fifteen years. He is working on a blog MyElectronicsBlog where you can get a lot of information on electronics industry, news, innovations, tradeshows, etc. . He is associated with one of the best electronics and electrical industry marketplaces Digitivity.com Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
A ringtone is a sound file that is used on acellular or mobile phone. This smart idea was deve
The Sony Reader 505 has become an attractively affordable ebook reader since the Sony Reader P
Following are guidelines for exporting from typical CAD modelers:Most CAD systems, File Save a
Since the dawn of time people have always been afraid of others coming into their cave, it's a
Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Sty
Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Sty
Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Sty
Today, video cameras are extremely affordable, very easy to use and offer high quality video a
At some point it will happen to every company no matter how big orsmall they are. System failu
New Yorkers know a good thing when they see it, and VOIP technology iscurrently taking the Emp
Most viewed articles in this category:
IntroductionBluetooth a short range wireless communication technology developed for use at home, off
According to Stephen Carson, executive vice president for Visibility Corp., "Many project-based manu
The four definitive trends listed in the National Association of Wholesalers-Distributors' publicati
You may consider the M255-E if you are thinking about purchasing a Gateway laptop. At first glance,
Buying Ipod is just like buying a piece of enjoy-ment. The first criteria is to buy something you w
BatchMaster Software, Inc. (www.batchmaster.com), a leading provider of ERP (enterprise resource pla
Entitled Smart Practices That Pay: Leveraging Information to Achieve Industrial Selling Results, thi
Cosmaceutical Research Lab, already the largest contract manufacturer for cosmetic products in weste
Every religion in the world claims that its particular God is almighty. However, there is nothing in
So what is VoIP? Internet telephony is a rapidly-growing phenomenon that shows no sign of slo