Dec 26, 2012

FLEXIBLE SOLAR PANELS, AND ELASTIC WIRES

cientists from American universities have made advancements that could make its way into consumer electronics. A team of scientists at Stanford University has developed a technique of fabricating solar cells that can "peel and stick" to most surfaces. According to a professor at the university, these solar panels could potentially be developed for use on helmets, cell phones, convex windows, portable electronic devices, curved roofs, and clothing. The team reported negligible loss of power by bending the units to 23mm, more than 3,000 times. Furthermore, the panel can be peeled-off and used on another surface, increasing its longevity and value.
Meanwhile, researchers at North Carolina State University have developed cables that can be stretched up to eight times their length and still conduct electricity. This is achieved by filling the housing with liquid alloy of gallium and indium to keep the current flowing by taking up the gaps created by stretching of the cable. The production method for these cables use well-known techniques; however, researchers are still working on issues such as dealing with leaking liquid metal out of cracked shielding.

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