Scientists working on the development of a new, more sensitive artificial skin, have developed an organic solar cell, which is stretchable, to help.
The development of this cell could also open up possible applications for the textile, building and automotive markets. It is able to stretch to an additional 30% of its size, and can snap back to shape without any damage or loss of power.
According to a press release by the Stanford University, developers decided that a new solar cell was needed to be able to stretch in a similar fashion to skin does around the joints.
Research by Ames Laboratory and Iowa State University in December 2010 found that a textured substrate could be used to create more effective plastic solar cells.
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Stanford University press release
Stanford researcher's new stretchable solar cells is designed to power artificial electronic skin
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Subscribe to +Plastic Electronics magazine
Subscribe to +Plastic Electronics magazine, published six times a year, for just £100/€110/$160. Find out more here
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Textured substrates raise organic solar cell efficiencies
US-based researchers at the Ames Laboratory and Iowa State University have developed a process for applying a thin and uniform light-absorbing layer on textured substrates that improves the efficiencies of polymer solar cells by increasing light absorption
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The Future of Flexible and Thin-Film PVs
Technology forecasts to 2019, published by IntertechPira
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