Thin as a wafer: the quest for the world’s most powerful, ultrathin and bendable silicon solar cell
- Chinese-led team develops super-thin material that is flexible without sacrificing power conversion efficiency, researchers say
- Technology could be crucial step to wider uses in aerospace, drones and wearable smart devices
New research led by a team of Chinese scientists has achieved the thinnest silicon solar cells ever – a flexible, paper-like material that converts light into electricity without sacrificing efficiency.
One drawback is that the power conversion efficiency of large-area silicon cells remains limited to 26 per cent; the other hindrance is cell thickness – typically 150 to 180 micrometres (0.15mm to 0.18mm), making it difficult for use in applications that require a more flexible and lightweight material, such as curved roofs, satellites and space stations.
Aircraft, for instance, have extremely stringent weight requirements and have used thin-film solar cells, another broad category of solar cells. However, according to Li, they are expensive, have a short lifespan, and are not well suited to commercial requirements.
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The flexible silicon solar cells developed by Li and his collaborators are much thinner and lighter than their conventional counterparts, and boast high power efficiency.
