| It might sound curiously strange but according to the | | | | too have p-n junctions- a compulsory feature in almost |
| scientists it is a possibility. The possibility is that we | | | | every photovoltaic cell. |
| could see, very soon, a rare type of super-thin solar | | | | While making, the scientists use a block of |
| cells which would be printed on plastic sheets which | | | | single-crystal silicon. On this piece of silicon, a |
| can be rolled or on the window glasses. Of course, the | | | | semiconductor, they make a pattern of micro bars. |
| glasses need to be transparent, partially, according to | | | | Notably, these micro bars, arranged according to a |
| them. | | | | patterned gap, have a thickness of a few |
| These super-thin solar cells are said to be more | | | | micrometers only. |
| effective and user-friendly than the existing and | | | | Technically, the method, the scientists use, of making |
| cost-effective photovoltaic cells. Though the | | | | these cells is much more complex and demanding. It is |
| photovoltaic cells have always remained efficient, their | | | | a type of etching process. The blocks, after being |
| main draw back is that they can't be incorporated into | | | | made using silicon, are transferred to get printed on the |
| different panel designs with much ease. | | | | substrates of other materials. |
| A team of researchers at the University of Illinois, | | | | This technique is a time taking event and can be |
| headed by John A. Rogers, has devised this unique | | | | finished in many steps. When the bars are printed on |
| solar cell. The team says that this cell could be | | | | the substrates, it requires a metal grid, as an electrical |
| combined in flexible arrays. Amazingly, these arrays | | | | connector, to cover the structure which leads to |
| could be partially transparent, though sometimes. | | | | electrical connections. |
| As a matter of interest, experts have given this rare | | | | There is no doubt that these innovative and optimized |
| innovative process a bizarre name too - "the | | | | ultra-thin solar cells are going to cause a revolution in |
| rubber-stamp approach." | | | | the field of solar cells. Moreover, it is going to be too |
| However, the basic formula of making these cells are | | | | cost-effective. The key to the success of this |
| somewhat similar to that of photovoltaic cells. Like | | | | technology lies in the wide-scale production of these |
| most of the photovoltaic cells, the super-thin solar cells | | | | cells. |