Smartwatch activates insulin production
Moderna co-founder Bob Langer in conversation

SHORT NEWS

Solar cells from the printer

#ecology #material science #solar cells #solar energy #technology

The solar cells from the inkjet printer are ultra-thin and flexible - and should also work inside buildings.

A researcher holding ultra-thin and flexible solar cells in his hands

Polish company Saule Technologies has launched the world's first industrial production of perovskite solar cells. The company produces inkjet-printed, ultra-thin and flexible solar cells based on the mineral perovskite. According to the company, the films produced in this way can be attached to almost any surface and work well with limited lighting and in shaded areas - for example, inside buildings.

Demand is huge

"Demand already exceeds production capacity," said founder and company CEO Olga Malinkiewicz. This is currently estimated at 40,000 square meters per year. Initial orders came from companies in the construction sector or providers of Internet of Things devices.

As a doctoral student at the University of Valencia, Malinkiewicz invented the method for producing solar cells by coating perovskites on flexible films. The inexpensive and versatile mineral is perfect for generating solar power, as it absorbs light particularly efficiently and conducts the electricity generated well.

Written by: sda

Photos: Saule Technologies

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AnimatedGIF_Key

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Mechanics performing maintenance work on an aircraft

Researchers make non-recyclable plastic recyclable

Swiss researchers have developed a new type of recyclable plastic that could be used in aircraft, cars or wind turbines in the future.
October 2nd, 2023
Recycled asphalt was used on the Lucmanier Pass

More recycled asphalt on Swiss roads

Tests with recycled asphalt on Swiss roads show promising results. In Uster ZH and on the Lukmanier Pass GR, the proportion of recycled asphalt could be increased without any loss of performance, according to Empa.
October 16th, 2023
a photovoltaic system on a house facade

Sun soon to be the most important source of energy

The sun is likely to become the world's most important source of energy before 2050, according to British scientists. This is the result of an analysis of technological and economic data by the University of Exeter and University College London.
November 27th, 2023
A hospital room with two beds divided by a curtain

Germicidal textiles for hospitals

A new process developed by Swiss researchers makes textiles germicidal. In future, this could be used to coat curtains in hospitals.
December 25th, 2023
G.V. Shivashankar arbeitet am PSI und der ETH Zürich

Fountain of youth for cells

Reprogrammed cells allow wounds in older people to heal faster. This could, for example, help burn victims.
January 1st, 2024
A scientist taking a water sample with a bottle

Gentle identification of fish species through their DNA

Identifying fish species in a river using DNA traces: This method was tested in Switzerland. It proved to be simpler and more reliable than the electrofishing method used to date.
January 15th, 2024
pressed plastic bottles

Microplastics fly particularly far and high

Microplastic fibres fly higher and further than previously assumed - even as far as the Arctic.
January 22nd, 2024
A futuristic aircraft with a blended wing body

Aircraft of the future make less noise

In an Empa research project, study participants rated the noise of new types of aircraft as less annoying than the noise of today's aircraft.
April 9th, 2024
the airship flying over a coast

British company produces climate-friendly airship

According to its developers, the British airship Airlander 10 could take off for commercial flights with passengers from 2028.
April 22nd, 2024