South Korean scientists have made a potential breakthrough in the field of wearable electronics with the development of ultra-thin solar panels. These extremely slim panels are 100 micrometres thinner than the average human hair and hundreds of times thinner than conventional solar panels making them the ideal partner for photovoltaic cells. The researchers from Seoul National University (SNU) developed an innovative new method to make these ultra thin solar cells using graphene nanoribbons (GaN). This type of technology could overcome the current battery size and weight limitations for wearable devices. The scientists believe they have opened the door to production of photovoltaic cells with fewer materials.
South Korean scientists have made a potential breakthrough in the field of wearable electronics with the development of ultra-thin solar panels. These extremely slim panels are 100 micrometres thinner than the average human hair and hundreds of times thinner than conventional solar panels making them the ideal partner for photovoltaic cells. They are flexible enough to be wrapped around a slim object such as a pen and could reportedly be integrated into clothing as a power source for wearable technology or smart glasses. This type of technology could overcome the current battery size and weight limitations for wearable devices. The scientists believe they have opened the door to production of photovoltaic cells with fewer materials.