Photovoltaic cells to revolutionize solar energy

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Photovoltaic cells to revolutionize solar energy

Scientists at Sandia National Laboratories have developed faint glow on the size of the photovoltaic cells, which could revolutionize the way solar energy is collected and used.

The small cells could make a person walk in a solar battery charger, if flexible substrates are subject to molding around unusual shapes, such as clothing.

The solar particles, made of crystalline silicon have the potential for a variety of new applications. Time is expected to be less costly and have greater efficiency than current photovoltaic collectors that are patched 6 inch square solar wafers.

The cells are manufactured using microelectronics and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) techniques common to electronic foundries today.

Lead Sandia researcher Greg Nielson said the research team has identified more than 20 benefits of scale for its microphotovoltaic cells. These include new applications, improve performance, the potential for cost reduction and increased efficiency.

"Eventually, the units could be mass produced and wrapped around unusual shapes for building integrated solar tents, and maybe even clothes," he said. This would allow hunters, hikers or military personnel in the field to recharge the batteries for phones, cameras and other electronic devices such as walking or resting.

Even better, as the panels of printed circuit microengineered could have that would help perform other duties usually left to the large-scale construction with the attendant need for field design and construction permits.

Sandia, said field engineer Vipin Gupta, "Photovoltaic modules based on these microscopic cells on the roofs of houses and stores can have intelligent controls, investors and even built in storage at the chip level. This module integrated into could greatly simplify the cumbersome design, supply, and permit the integration of networks that our solar technical assistance teams in the field see all the time. "

For large-scale generation of energy, said Sandia researcher Murat Okanda, "One of the biggest benefits of scale is a significant reduction in manufacturing and installation costs compared to current techniques of PV."

Part of the potential cost reduction occurs because the microelements require relatively little material to form well controlled and highly efficient devices.

From 14 to 20 micrometers thick (a human hair is about 70 microns thick), are 10 times thinner than conventional 6-inch-by-6-inch size brick cells, however, be done in effectiveness on it.
 
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