The Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM is working towards developing microscopic solar cells, that have the potential to utilize solar power in a unique way.

The minute cells are one-tenth the thickness of traditional solar cells and can be attached to flexible backings, which can be mounted onto any odd-shaped object such as buildings, clothing, or even camping tents, thus using solar power wherever the sun shines.

The tiny cells, which are being described as “glitter-sized,” have been made from crystalline silicon. It is expected that they will eventually be cheaper to make and more efficient than the currently used photovoltaic collectors. Moreover, using the present manufacturing facilities, these cells can be made using far less silicon than traditional solar cells, producing with less waste.

Even thinner than the human hair, the chips have the capability to perform with the same efficiency as conventional cells, that are ten times thicker.

The researchers claim that while providing the same efficiency, they use 100 times less silicon to generate the same amount of electricity. The small size of cells make them less sensitive to overhead obstructions that can cause conventional panels to turn off completely when part of the surface is blocked from the Sun.

These “glitter-sized” cells will enable campers, hunters and military personnel in the field to recharge cell phones, cameras and other electronic gear just by walking around in the Sun while wearing special clothing. They can also be used extensively in satellites and remote sensing installations.

Using solar concentrators, which are arrays of microscopic lenses to focus the sunlight, the number of photons striking the cells can be increased, which can further increase their efficiency. The concentrators are cheaper to make and are much more efficient, due to the small size of the cells.

Also, due to the large number of cells in an array, high-voltage output can be generated directly, reducing costs and taking advantage of lower losses due to electrical resistance in wiring at higher voltages.

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