The Sandia research team, led by investigator Greg Nielson, created tiny glitter-sized PV cells from crystalline silicon using micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) techniques. The cells are between 14 and 20 micrometers thick, making them not only far thinner than a human hair but also 10 times thinner than common PV cells.
According to the lab, their glitter cells use 100 times less silicon than conventional ones and produce the same amount of electricity. The tiny size also gives manufacturers more flexibility because they have individual wiring. Unlike a holiday light strand where one bad light makes the whole thing busted, one defective cell won't spoil the whole wafer.
The glorious geekery doesn't stop there, either. Since the micro-cells can be made with techniques usually reserved for mass-producing LEDs and integrated circuits, up to 130,000 pieces of glitter can be placed on a substrate within an hour--making it a pretty inexpensive and efficient process. The lab also reports that solar concentrators could fit nicely over the glitter, reducing costs even further.
Nielson and his team expect their cells will have flexible solar applications, including clothing, tents, and building materials. I'm pretty sure that what's glittering here is going to be golden.
Image: Festive--and functional--crystalline-silicon microphotovoltaic cells. Credit: Murat Okandan.
Tags: Alternative Power Sources, Energy, Green Tech, Solar Power
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