412
submitted 11 months ago by L4s@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world

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.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] Lophostemon@aussie.zone 15 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

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 17 points 11 months ago

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

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

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

An Edison tradition.

this post was submitted on 05 Dec 2023
412 points (97.2% liked)

Technology

59169 readers
2284 users here now

This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.


Our Rules


  1. Follow the lemmy.world rules.
  2. Only tech related content.
  3. Be excellent to each another!
  4. Mod approved content bots can post up to 10 articles per day.
  5. Threads asking for personal tech support may be deleted.
  6. Politics threads may be removed.
  7. No memes allowed as posts, OK to post as comments.
  8. Only approved bots from the list below, to ask if your bot can be added please contact us.
  9. Check for duplicates before posting, duplicates may be removed

Approved Bots


founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS