A palm-sized drone equipped with ultra-light solar cells enabled consecutive flight and charging cycles without cable recharging.
Solar drones for a greener future
The world of aviation is undergoing a revolutionary transformation thanks to the development of sustainable technologies. Recently, researchers at Johannes Kepler University in Linz, Austria, have taken a significant step toward autonomous, green aviation with the creation of ultralight, flexible solar cells that could change the way we generate and use energy.
Cutting-edge technology in solar cells
In the Department of Soft Matter Physics and the LIT Soft Materials Laboratory, under the direction of Prof. Martin Kaltenbrunner, and the Linz Institute for Organic Solar Cells, headed by Prof. Niyazi Serdar Sariciftci, significant progress has been made . Researchers have developed quasi-2D perovskite solar cells that are not only extremely lightweight, but offer unprecedented power output of up to 44 watts per gram, along with a comparatively high level of stability.
These solar cells, which are less than 2.5 micrometers thick—twenty times thinner than a human hair—demonstrate an impressive efficiency of 20.1% and a power density of 44 W/g. Their flexibility and lightness make them ideal for a variety of applications, from portable electronics to the Internet of Things, powering the next generation of self-sufficient energy systems.
Practical and sustainable applications
Solar drones in action
To demonstrate the capabilities of this new technology, the researchers equipped a palm-sized commercial quadcopter drone with these ultralight solar cells. Perfectly integrated into the frame of the drone, these cells represent just 1/400 of the total weight of the device. This configuration allowed the drone to operate self-sufficiently and perform consecutive charge-flight-charge cycles without the need for recharging with cables, highlighting the efficiency and sustainability of the solar cells.
Beyond our planet
The potential of these technologies goes beyond Earth. Recently, the Mars “Ingenuity” helicopter demonstrated the importance of self-sustaining solar aviation by being the first aircraft to launch from Earth and land on another planet. Future applications could include search and rescue operations, large-scale mapping, solar power generation in space, and solar system exploration.
The development of quasi-2D perovskite solar cells not only marks a milestone in photovoltaic technology but also highlights the commitment to sustainable innovation in aviation. Published in the magazine Nature Energy, this study not only reflects a technical advance, but also aligns science with global efforts for a greener and more sustainable future. As these technologies are developed and perfected, the dream of fully self-sufficient and environmentally friendly aviation becomes closer to reality.
Via www.jku.at
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