Recently, according to IT House, a South Korean scientific research team has developed a new polymer material - a solar cell that can be stretched. This material breaks through the traditional inherent structural mode in the past, and its photoelectric conversion efficiency can still be maintained at about 19% even in an environment where the tensile exceeds 40% of the original state.
It is reported that under the leadership of Professor Bumjoon Kim of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, the scientific research team of the Korea Advanced Institute of Technology (KAIST) has successfully developed this new polymer material. This new conductive polymer has very high photovoltaic properties and can be stretched like "rubber". Also known as "rubber solar cells".
Traditional battery technology is already so advanced, why develop such a stretchable "rubber battery"?
According to relevant R&D personnel, "in recent years, with the rapid development of global science and technology, the portable electronic device market has ushered in a stage of rapid development, and batteries, as an important core component of electronic equipment, have always been the focus of research and development." Among them, flexible solar cells, which can work and stretch at the same time, are one of the ideal materials that have attracted much attention. ”
The research team led by Professor Kim has discovered this new polymer material in the course of research and development for many years, and said that "among the same types of elastic solar cells, this rubber battery has the highest photoelectric conversion efficiency and can easily solve the needs of most wearable devices in daily life." ”
So, why does this "rubber battery" receive strong attention from all walks of life?
First of all, rubber solar cells are made of a uniquely designed polymer material that not only has a high degree of tensile rows, but also has very good electrical properties in the stretched state. Among them, when it is stretched to 40% of the original state, the photoelectric conversion efficiency is still maintained at 19%.
Secondly, rubber solar cells have good durability and stability. Rubber batteries combine stretchable polymers with conductive polymers by using chemical bonding. Therefore, this kind of battery is not prone to performance degradation in the process of repeated stretching and contraction. This means that the rubber battery can provide a stable and reliable power supply for wearable devices for a long time.
It is worth noting that rubber battery solar cells also have the characteristics of green environmental protection. Because the material of this battery is an organic material, the waste generated in the process of production and use has a very low degree of pollution to the environment. Therefore, the production of this battery echoes the concept of sustainable development advocated by the world, which also provides a broader development space for this battery in the future.
Although the new rubber solar cells have many development advantages and prospects, they are still in the embryonic stage of development, and there is still a long way to go to enter the market on a large scale. Judging from the data and performance tested so far, it is expected to become the mainstream of battery applications in the future.
Rubber solar cells can be used as an ideal material for portable wearable devices due to their flexibility and plasticity, but in addition to what other fields can they be widely used?
First, portable devices: Rubber solar cells can be used in a variety of portable devices, such as mobile phones, laptops, smart watches, etc. Its flexibility and plasticity allow it to be combined with a variety of passively carried objects to provide renewable power to these devices.
Second, textiles and clothing: Rubber solar cells can be integrated into textiles and clothing, weaving solar cell fibers into clothing, using sunlight to convert into electricity, providing portable electricity for outdoor sports, camping and other activities.
Third, buildings and building materials: Rubber solar cells can be integrated into building facades, roofs, windows, etc., to convert sunlight directly into electricity to power buildings. In addition, rubber solar cells can also be used in facilities such as solar charging stations in public places, open-air parking lots, and street lights.
Fourth, vehicles: Rubber solar cells can be installed on vehicles, such as cars, buses, and bicycles, to capture and utilize sunlight energy, provide partial power for vehicles, or charge on-board equipment.
Finally, agriculture and horticulture: Rubber solar cells can be used in agriculture and horticulture to power pumps, irrigation systems, greenhouse equipment, etc. in rural areas, as well as sensors for tracking and collecting plant growth data.