MIT Unveils First Solar Cells Printed On Paper

lucidkoan writes "MIT researchers recently unveiled the world's first thin-film solar cell printed on a sheet of paper. The panel was created using a process similar to that of an inkjet printer, producing semiconductor-coated paper imbued with carbon-based dyes that give the cells an efficiency of 1.5 to 2 percent. That's not incredibly efficient, but the convenience factor makes up for it. And in the future, researchers hope that the same process used in the paper solar cells could be used to print cells on metal foil or even plastic. If they're able to gear efficiencies up to scale, the development could revolutionize the production and installation of solar panels."

Comments

Not the first, not by a long shot

[ArcRiley]

This is not the first. A company in New Hampshire has been printing, with a 4-ink inkjet process, solar cells for years now. A quick patent search shows dozens of other groups with their own solar-from-inkjet techniques.

Sounds like the MIT guys failed to do their research.

Re:Not the first, not by a long shot

[Bakkster]

I think all of the other companies doing solar-with-inkjet have been printing on plastic or metal substrates. MIT is printing on a paper (and thus cheap, flexible, and renewable) substrate.

The printing isn't the important part, but what it is being printed upon.

Re:Good

[oodaloop]

Hey kids, math and facts can be fun! Try them! Saudi Arabia has about 260 billion barrels of oil in proven reserves (which means they likely have more they haven't found yet). They produce about 10 million barrels of oil per day. That means their oil lifespan is about 70 years, just on what we know they have right now. And let's no forget that as they've increased production over the years, the lifespan keep getting longer, not shorter, due to increased amounts of oil being found. So...how is time running out for them again?

I'm not a fan of oil, and I'd rather see us go to more sustainable solutions and all that, but let's not gloss over the glaring facts just because we don't like them.

Re:Good

[TrumpetPower!]

oodaloop wrote:

Saudi Arabia has about 260 billion barrels of oil in proven reserves (which means they likely have more they haven't found yet). They produce about 10 million barrels of oil per day. That means their oil lifespan is about 70 years, just on what we know they have right now.

Ever heard of this rather obscure mathematical property known as exponential growth?

Cheers,

b&