A flexible photovoltaic panel the thickness of a sheet of paper has been invented at Soochow University in China. It consists of ultra-thin layers of crystalline silicon and perovskite, according to China Central Television.
The photovoltaic cell combines traditional materials, with each layer capturing specific wavelengths of sunlight, says Professor Zhang Xiaohong, who led the research. This allows the new battery to absorb a wider range of solar energy and convert it into electricity more efficiently.
The cell is reportedly designed for long-term operation on spacecraft and in data centers.
