Singapore Develops New Solar Cell Materials

Singapore Develops New Solar Cell Materials

The lab's new perovskite solar cell emits light.

Imagine a future where your phone or laptop doesn’t need a battery — just sunlight, and you can keep using it. That’s the vision behind a recent breakthrough from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), published in *Nature Materials*. Researchers have developed next-generation solar cell materials that not only convert light into electricity but also emit colorful light when needed.

The material is based on perovskite, a promising substance known for its high efficiency and low cost in solar energy conversion. On March 25, Xing Guichuan, a postdoctoral researcher at NTU, discovered that a hybrid perovskite material emitted bright light when exposed to laser light. This was unexpected, as most solar cell materials absorb light but don’t emit it.

According to the team, this material is highly versatile. It can both capture photons and release light, depending on how it's tuned. By adjusting its chemical composition, scientists can control the color of the emitted light, making it ideal for use in displays and lighting systems.

Nipan Matthews, an associate professor at the School of Materials Science and Engineering, highlighted the material’s potential for industrial application. Since it dissolves easily during production, it can be combined with other chemicals at room temperature, making it five times cheaper than traditional silicon-based solar cells.

“This material can be transparent, allowing it to function as smart glass on windows that generate power while letting in light,” said Matthews. “Its ability to emit light also makes it suitable for outdoor decorations, like signs in shopping malls or offices.” He added that the material could play a key role in green building technologies and even in the development of advanced electronic chips due to its sensitivity to laser radiation.

The research team is currently working on scaling up the technology and applying for a patent. Professor Lamamusi Ramesh from UC Berkeley praised the study, stating that the findings highlight the broad potential of such materials in solar energy and laser applications.

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