MIT engineers revolutionize solar technology with ultralight fabric solar cells, 18x more power-per-kilogram than traditional panels.
MIT engineers have unveiled a groundbreaking achievement in solar technology with the creation of ultralight fabric. These cells, thinner than a human hair and just one-hundredth the weight of standard solar panels, have the remarkable ability to turn almost any surface into a power source. This innovation is made possible by the use of semiconducting inks and scalable printing processes, resulting in a power-per-kilogram production 18 times greater than traditional solar panels.
The production of these solar cells relies on electronic inks and entirely printable materials. The process involves depositing nanomaterial layers onto a 3-micron thick substrate using a slot-die coater. With the addition of an electrode through screen printing, the final solar module is a mere 15 microns thick. To overcome their fragility, MIT utilizes Dyneema, a super-strong fabric, as a substrate, securing the solar cells with UV-curable glue.
In summary, MIT's ultralight fabric solar cells represent a transformative leap in solar technology, offering unparalleled efficiency and portability. With their capacity to harness solar energy from almost any surface, these cells hold tremendous potential for sustainable energy generation.
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