These durable, flexible solar cells, are much thinner than a human hair but can generate 18 times more power per kilogram than a conventional solar panel.
The cells are made from semiconducting inks that can be easily printed. They are then glued to a strong, lightweight fabric, making them easy to install on any fixed surface, providing energy on the go as a wearable power fabric or even being rapidly deployed in remote locations for assistance in emergencies.
From boats to drones and mountain tents, the cells developed at the MIT could power almost any device in any location, with minimal installation needs.
"The metrics used to evaluate a new solar cell technology are typically limited to their power conversion efficiency and their cost in dollars-per-watt. Just as important is integrability – the ease with which the new technology can be adapted," said Vladimir Bulović, senior author of a new paper describing the work.
"The lightweight...