Foldable solar cell "transparent paper" may change the future of solar panels

Nomiya, an associate professor at the Institute of Industrial Science, Osaka University, Japan, has also developed a "translucent paper" that has excellent properties that materials such as plastic film and thin glass do not have. In order to take full advantage of its characteristics, Associate Professor Nogi has also developed a solar cell that is light, thin, and foldable to a very small size. The ultimate goal of this research is to establish printed electronics technology that can place the topmost electronic components on this clear paper, thereby creating a new generation of electronic components that are both light and flexible.

High ""strength"" comparable to aramid fibers

"Although it looks like a film at first glance, it is actually a clear paper. If it is just clear and the material is cheap, people will only think 'this thing is interesting, but the clear paper has materials such as plastic film and sheet glass. outstanding features that are not available.”

Associate Professor Nomiya said proudly when showing a piece of translucent tissue paper that didn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary.

This translucent paper is made of ""cellulose nanofibers"". Cellulose nanofibers are fibers with a diameter of 15 nanometers. They are produced by refining cellulose, a common non-translucent paper material. thousandth.

Cellulose nanofibers with a fiber diameter of nanometers have a very high "strength", which is comparable to the aramid fiber known as the strongest synthetic fiber used in bulletproof vests, and also has a very low "thermal expansion rate", which is comparable to high-purity quartz. Glass rivals.