We know that the size, weight, cost (transportation, installation and maintenance), and average efficiency are the most important barriers that all solar cell faces. What is gained by one side is usually lost on the other, and while this new solar cell is no exception, what wins is certainly remarkable. This new solar cell by researchers from Austria and Japan has a thickness of 1.9 microns, thinner than a spider's silk, and deformation capacity is such that it may involve a human hair.

How small can a solar cell? Or rather, how little in practicality can be a solar cell? From one point of view it seems a whim: We want to be cheap, durable, lightweight, flexible and efficient. Getting to that kind of "solar cell almost perfect" require a great effort, but experts have not stopped, nor seem to have intentions to do so. Take for example this recent development presented by researchers at the Johannes Kepler University of Linz, and the University of Tokyo. It is a solar cell having a thickness of 1.9 micrometers, a tenth of the solar cell thinner than can be found today (those manufactured by the Hyperion accelerator are 20 micrometers).



But the story does not end there. These solar cells have a flexibility and a capacity as large deformation, which may involve a human hair. To be so thin and flexible, can be thought of many applications for these cells, but these two characteristics are related to the properties of the substrate (Mylar used CW02 than 1.4 microns), so that both aspects may be improved in the future. According to official information, the efficiency of these cells is in the range of 4 percent, a value quite important to what its developers describe as an "organic cell."

Still, there is talk of at least five additional years of development so that the cells have a wider deployment. Its developers have said that design is expandable, so that cells can grow larger, thus increasing its power generation. There have been some doubts about its strength, however, being a soft material actually has a higher mechanical strength even if it increases its size. After seeing his appearance more closely, I keep thinking about candy wrappers, but at the same time, I imagine that could replace the smaller batteries in some years, provided that these cells know their way to a final version and commercial .

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