Researchers print solar cells onto paper

19 Jul 2011

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed lightweight solar cells that can be printed onto paper.

The team printed photovoltaic cells onto untreated copy paper, using a dry fabrication process. Each layer was deposited as a vapour dispersed in a vacuum, a technique that allows for printing onto fabric, plastic, tissue and regular paper. A flexible conducting polymer was used as the bottom electrode rather than a transparent metal oxide, states a report by Electronics Weekly.

The printed cells are only 1% efficient, but this would still be enough to power low consumption applications such as clocks.