Solar cell technology makes cells 10,000 times thinner than a strand of hair.

New solar cell technology, 10,000 times thinner than a human hair, paves the way for car windows and buildings to generate their own electricity.

Researchers at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore have just announced a new invention: an ultra-thin perovskite solar cell capable of transforming car windows, skyscraper glass, and smart glass into energy-generating surfaces. These cells are approximately 10,000 times thinner than a human hair, yet achieve the highest efficiency ever recorded in ultra-thin perovskite photovoltaic technology.

Associate Professor Annalisa Bruno of NTU is observing the ultrathin structure of perovskite solar cells.

PHOTO: NTU SINGAPORE

This discovery opens up prospects for transforming ordinary surfaces into clean energy sources without major design changes. According to the researchers, this technology could enable buildings, vehicles, and wearable electronic devices to generate their own electricity, while minimizing the need for land and cumbersome infrastructure.

Solar panels hidden in glass

A research team at NTU has designed photovoltaic cells that are nearly invisible yet capable of generating electricity. With their semi-transparent and colorless properties, these cells can be easily integrated into office buildings and glass windows, making them attractive to architects and developers.

Solar cells utilize perovskite – a material known for its efficient sunlight absorption and lower production costs compared to silicon. Importantly, they can generate electricity even in indirect sunlight, making them useful for densely populated cities where tall buildings often block direct sunlight.

It is estimated that some buildings could produce hundreds of megawatt-hours of electricity per year if this technology is successfully implemented.

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The key to next-generation solar cells.

To fabricate the ultrathin cells, the research team used a thermal evaporation method in a vacuum chamber, allowing for the creation of uniform perovskite layers with a thickness of only 10 nanometers. This method does not use toxic solvents, simplifying large-scale production in the future.

The fabricated cells come in both opaque and semi-transparent versions, with efficiencies ranging from 7% to 12% depending on thickness. The semi-transparent version allows 41% of light to pass through and converts sunlight into electricity with an efficiency of 7.6%.

Independent experts believe this manufacturing method could bring transparent solar energy technology closer to large-scale production. However, expert Sam Stranks from the University of Cambridge (UK) stated that researchers need to demonstrate long-term durability and stability before commercial deployment.

The NTU research team has now filed a patent application for this technology and is collaborating with industry partners to refine the manufacturing process. They plan to improve durability and expand the technology to larger surfaces before bringing the product to market, aiming to transform windows, vehicles, and consumer electronics into renewable energy sources in the future.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cong-nghe-pin-mat-troi-mong-hon-soi-toc-10000-lan-185260518153715406.htm