Slashdot Mirror


'Moth Eye' Graphene Breakthrough Could Create Indoor Solar Cells (newsweek.com)

A scientific breakthrough with the "wonder material" graphene has opened up the possibility of indoor solar cells that capture energy from indirect sunlight, as well as ambient energy from household devices. Researchers from the University of Surrey in the U.K. studied the eyes of moths to create sheets of graphene that they claim is the most light-absorbent material ever created. "We realized that the moth's eye works in a particular way that traps electromagnetic waves very efficiently," Professor Ravi Silva, head of the Advanced Technology Institute at the University of Surrey, tells Newsweek. "As a result of our studies, we've been able to mimic the surface of a moth's eye and create an amazingly thin, efficient, light-absorbent material made of graphene."

3 of 63 comments (clear)

  1. Show me a product by justcauseisjustthat · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I really do love having access to science by press release/news article, but we see hundreds if not thousands of them with no followup.
    It's almost like hey, I did this, where's my grant.. Two years later we only hear the chirp of crickets.

    Yes, I realize that science moves, yes, I realize that somethings don't pan out. But it seems like almost all don't work out?

  2. I don't think I'd want this in my house. by Nutria · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Light colored walls play a crucial role diffusing light into other parts of the room. Having these panels on the walls would darken them, requiring more electric lights, and making the room seem smaller.

    Anyway, thumbs up on the basic research on moth eyes.

    --
    "I don't know, therefore Aliens" Wafflebox1
  3. Re:Do they work with the curtains shut by soksabay9499 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    the curtains could be the solar cell. perhaps or make the curtain a set of window blinds which can be a bit more rigid