Recently, a joint research group consisting of the Japan Institute of Physical Chemistry and Toray Corporation has developed a new type of thin-film solar cells that can be attached to clothing using an electric iron. The battery is coated on a thin and soft resin surface. An organic polymer semiconductor material that converts solar energy into electrical energy.
With a thickness of 3 microns, it can maintain its performance even at high temperatures of 100 degrees. If it is attached to clothes, shoulders, etc., it can be used as a portable walkman or other power source.
The photoelectric conversion efficiency of this battery reaches 10%, which is higher in organic solar cells. The performance of previous thin solar cells will be reduced by about 20% after heating, but this newly developed battery will not show performance degradation. Happening.
Researcher Kenji Fukuda of the Institute of Physical Chemistry said that at present, 'smart textiles' with embedded body temperature and heart rate sensors embedded in fabrics are attracting people's attention. In order to use the battery as its power source, it will increase its power generation in the future.
