Oxford University has created a perovskite film so thin it turns any object into a solar panel

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Oxford University has created a perovskite film so thin it turns any object into a solar panel

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The iPhone battery is becoming more and more durable. Just look at the magnificent durability offered by the new iPhone 16, especially in the iPhone 16 Pro Max model, which reached a historical dataeither. Plus, the new iPhones can charge faster than ever via MagSafe. But yeah, you have to charge them almost every day anyway.

Can you imagine your iPhone always being charged? While it may sound like science fiction, Oxford University is about to make it a reality. A team of researchers has developed a ultra-thin film of mineral perovskite, which, with just one micron of thickness, can turn any object into a solar panel. And when we say an object, we mean backpacks, cars, buildings… and even our iPhones.

What is perovskite and how it can revolutionize the world of batteries

Perovskite is a crystalline material that has attracted a lot of attention in recent years for its potential to revolutionize several industries, including renewable energy. Perovskite is distinguished by absorb light very efficiently. And it was at Oxford University that they worked with this material to offer something very important and useful to the whole world.

The innovation of this perovskite film developed in the Oxford laboratory is that it has a 27% efficiencya surprisingly high figure, similar to today’s best silicon solar panels. Where’s the difference then? In its thinness, as it is 150 times thinner than a conventional solar panel wafer. This would allow solar panels to be placed on virtually any surface. From the roofs of electric cars to iPhone cases or the back of a Mac screen.

Looking to the future, they hope to continue increasing their efficiency. While a few years ago it was 9%, today it is 27% and they hope to be able to increase it to 50%, surpassing any solar material currently in existence.

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If this is already an innovation, it is necessary to add the cheapest manufacturing price and less polluting than traditional solar panels. This could mark a before and after for each of us having solar-powered rechargeable products at home. According to the Oxford PV project managers, the technology has already mass production started in a factory in Brandenburg, Germany.

Dr Shuaifeng Hu, a postdoctoral researcher in physics at the University of Oxford, examining the new perovskite material
Dr Shuaifeng Hu, a postdoctoral researcher in physics at the University of Oxford, examining the new perovskite material

Dr Shuaifeng Hu, a postdoctoral researcher in physics at the University of Oxford, examining the new perovskite material

There are already batteries and music headphones that charge with solar energy.

Although this advance by Oxford University may seem very distant, the reality is that today There are already devices that charge using a solar panel. From lamps and camping products to headphones for listening to music. And if we wear our headphones, why not charge them at the same time?

Urbanista Los Angeles Solar Powered Helmet

Urbanista Los Angeles Solar Powered Helmet

Apple is very cautious with the inclusion of new technologies, and while great strides have been made in recent months with longer-lasting batteries sourced from Texas or China, it will take us a while to see something like what Oxford University is proposing in an iPhone. However, How about an Apple case with MagSafe and solar charging?? You turn the iPhone over and meanwhile it charges. Maybe it’s time to dream “Think Different”.

Source | University of Oxford

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