| Posted: May 27, 2008 |
Plant prototyp with nanotechnology solar cell leaves |
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(Nanowerk News) A Japanese institute and firms prototyped a foliage plant-like solar cell module by using organic nanotechnology thin-film solar cells.
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A leaf-like module featuring bright green solar cells was developed by National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Mitsubishi Corp and Tokki Corp.
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| (Left) The prototype of a foliage plant-like solar cell module; (Right) The leaf-like solar cell module
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The organic thin-film solar cell consists of a plastic substrate, phthalocyanine layer, fullerene layer and so forth. And eight 7.5cm2 solar cells connected in series constitute about 60cm2 solar cell module.
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AIST, Mitsubishi and Tokki improved the durability of the module by sealing it with a very thin protective film to prevent the entry of water and oxygen, they said.
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AIST aims at expanding the use of organic thin-film solar cells to the fields where design is important, such as architectural materials including walls and windows, clothing materials, livingware, leisure goods, outdoor products and toys.
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