Singapore Develops New Solar Cell Materials

Singapore Develops New Solar Cell Materials

The lab's latest breakthrough involves a perovskite solar cell that emits light.

Imagine a future where your phone or laptop doesn't need a battery—just sunlight, and you're good to go. This is the exciting vision emerging from research at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), where scientists have developed a next-generation solar cell material that can both generate electricity and emit light. Their findings were recently published in the prestigious journal "Nature·Materials."

The key component of this innovation is perovskite, a promising material known for its high efficiency and low production cost. During an experiment, researcher Xing Guichuan discovered that when exposed to laser light, the hybrid perovskite material emitted bright light—an unexpected but groundbreaking observation. Most traditional solar cells are designed to absorb light, not emit it, making this discovery all the more remarkable.

What makes this material unique is its dual functionality. It can convert light into electricity, and also emit light in various colors depending on the composition. This versatility opens up new possibilities for applications such as transparent displays, smart windows, and even decorative lighting solutions.

According to Nipan Matthews, an associate professor at NTU, the material is easy to process and compatible with current manufacturing techniques. It can be dissolved and combined with other chemicals at room temperature, making it significantly cheaper than conventional silicon-based solar cells—up to five times less expensive.

"This material is incredibly versatile," said Matthews. "It can be made transparent, allowing it to function as stained glass on windows while generating power from sunlight. Additionally, its light-emitting properties make it ideal for use in commercial lighting, such as in shopping malls or office buildings. Its low cost and adaptability make it a strong candidate for green building technologies."

The team is now working on scaling up the technology for large-scale solar cell applications and exploring ways to integrate it into existing lighting systems. Furthermore, the material's sensitivity to laser radiation could have significant implications for chip electronics.

With a patent application currently underway, the research has already attracted attention from experts like Professor Lamamusi Ramesh from UC Berkeley, who praised the potential of the material for both solar energy and laser technologies. As this innovation moves forward, it could revolutionize how we think about renewable energy and smart, sustainable technology.

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