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
The Ocean Cleanup removed a record 25 million kilos of plastic in 2025 (and t...
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a world where the scale of plastic pollution can feel overwhelming, 2025 brought a milestone worth celebrating: ...
Read MoreAncient nits aid uncovering of human ancestry
To uncover information about ancient genomes scientists have previously relied on fossils of bones and teeth. Alongside ethical issues, the problem with this is ...
Read MoreAlways late? Here’s 7 tips to curb the habit
We’ve all run late before, whether it was because of a missed alarm, couldn't find the right outfit, or getting stuck in traffic. It ...
Read MoreHow Uruguay achieved 98% renewable energy
During the 2000s, as global fossil fuel costs skyrocketed, Uruguay faced a tremendous issue. Uruguay, as a country heavily reliant on foreign oil, found ...
Read More
