Organic Thin-Film Solar Cells - Thin, Lightweight, and Pliable 2009/09/08 There is much attention today on solar cells as a source of energy that does not emit carbon dioxide and can thereby help combat global warming. There has recently been progress in the development of next-generation organic thin-film solar cells that are thin, lightweight, and pliable.

These research results were announced at an applied physics conference held by the University of Tsukuba in late March 2009. Toray believes that further improvements will be able to raise the conversion efficiency of the new material to about 7%. This would open the door to practical applications in portable devices.

Professor Kazuhito Hashimoto of the University of Tokyo and colleagues, meanwhile, have developed a new material that can be applied like paint to roofs and walls. This is an organic thin-film solar cell that uses nano-level technology called "self-assembly." The new material combines two molecular materials that convert light to electricity and can be coated on glass or walls. In the experimental stage it has achieved conversion efficiency of 3%.

A feature of organic thin films is that they make it possible to create batteries with just inkjet or other types of coatings. They can thus be applied to plastic films or other materials. Because organic thin films are lightweight and easy to use, they can be installed on vehicle bodies or household electrical appliances to ensure a power source for portable devices. Owing to their low cost, moreover, they are likely to become a part of daily life once they are commercialized.

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