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Scientists develop mega-thin solar cells that could be shockingly easy to produce: ‘As rapid as printing a newspaper’ (finance.yahoo.com)

submitted 11 months ago by L4s@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world

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Scientists develop mega-thin solar cells that could be shockingly easy to produce: ‘As rapid as printing a newspaper’::These cells could be laminated onto various kinds of surfaces, such as the sails of a boat to provide power while at sea.

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[–] Lophostemon@aussie.zone 10 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (2 children)

AFAIK this was previously developed about 5 years ago in Australia at the University of Newcastle Engineering Dept.

Not sure why this lot n the US is claiming credit for it.

https://www.newcastle.edu.au/newsroom/featured/public-debut-for-printed-solar

[–] SCB@lemmy.world 14 points 11 months ago (2 children)

It's a different process. Multiple processes with varied applications are absolutely essential to making this style of solar the norm

It's a great thing that this particular field continues to see innovation.

New process

Scientists used electronic printable inks, using a technique similar to how designs are printed on t-shirts. As these thin solar cells are difficult to handle and can tear easily, scientists searched for a lightweight, flexible, and resilient material that could adhere to those solar cells. The fabric they chose was Dyneema Composite Fabric, a material known for its incredible strength.

After printing the electrodes on a flat sheet of plastic, they glued the sheet of plastic on Dyneema. Lastly, they peeled away the fabric, which has picked up the electrodes, leaving a clean sheet of plastic behind.

Your linked process:

The organic solar cells being deployed have been printed on laminated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic by a printer formerly used for wine labels.

The 18 metre long ultralight and ultraflexible strips are similar in thickness and appearance to a chip packet, the university team have said.

[–] Lophostemon@aussie.zone 3 points 11 months ago

Ok thanks. I see the difference. It was a late night knee-jerk defensive post.

[–] Peppycito@sh.itjust.works 2 points 11 months ago

The fabric they chose was Dyneema Composite Fabric

As a fabric geek with a cut/sew shop working on marine canvas, this gives me a raging boner. The panel making process might be cheap but I'll tell you dyneema fabric isn't. Bet there's great mark-up on it though! 🤑

[–] TheFriar@lemm.ee 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

We do love “discovering” other peoples things and claiming they’re “the new _____”

[–] LazaroFilm@lemmy.world 6 points 11 months ago

An Edison tradition.