When solar cells converge with the Japanese paper art form of kirigami, the result is something beautiful. The combination of the two creates light-weight state-of-the-art solar cells that can track the sun, capturing up to 40 percent more energy than conventional solar cells. While solar panels that move along with the sun already exist, these have relied on motorized trackers that are too heavy to be placed on residential rooftops where by far most solar panel installations are. To make them smaller and lighter, researchers borrowed from the ideas of kirigami to condense the solar panel into many small solar cells within a larger one. The small cells can then tilt and spread apart based on where the sun’s rays are coming from, allowing them to absorb more sunlight. Who said scientists can’t be artistic?
Lightweight solar cells draw inspiration from Japanese art and move with the sun
More of Today's Solutions
Don’t feed bread to ducks! Here’s what to serve instead
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM When venturing out into the Great Outdoors, it’s important never to feed the wildlife because they can become ...
Read MoreMeet Sara Khadem, an international chess master fighting for freedom
In a world where conformity may squash ambitions, an Iranian chess champion, Sara Khadem, took a courageous step that echoed a cry for independence. ...
Read MoreHow a pioneering MRI ‘signature’ predicts dementia years before s...
In a major step toward predicting dementia before its debilitating symptoms appear, researchers revealed an MRI 'signature' that could act as a warning, pinpointing ...
Read MoreThe surprising human-like intelligence of the humble bee
In the wonderful world of bumblebees, a stunning discovery calls into question the idea that intelligence is entirely determined by brain size. These tiny ...
Read More
