A research team from the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) has taken a significant step toward turning the vision of solar-powered smartphones into reality. They have developed transparent solar cells that can be integrated into smartphone screens, car windows, and building surfaces.
Smartphones May Not Need Extra Charging in the Long Run!
Led by Professor Kwanyong Seo, the team utilized a back-contact design, allowing all components of the solar cell to be placed on the back panel. This makes the front surface completely transparent and colorless. They also developed a ‘Seamless Modularization’ technology that eliminates gaps between cells and removes the need for opaque metal wires.
The team’s 16-square-centimeter transparent solar cell module achieved efficiency levels ranging from 14.7% to 20% transparency. They successfully demonstrated that a smartphone could be charged using natural sunlight, proving that screens could serve as an energy source.
This development appears to pave the way for integrating renewable energy into our daily lives. In the future, we may not even need to plug our phones in to charge them. Perhaps vehicle windows and building panes could generate energy as well. This technology could help increase energy efficiency while reducing our carbon footprint.
Researchers emphasize that this work represents an important step toward commercializing transparent silicon solar cells. In the future, there are plans to further develop this technology for use in various industries.
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