Thin solar panel

New thin solar panel could be woven into clothing, says Canadian prof
Last Updated Mon, 10 Jan 2005 18:47:42 EST
CBC News
TORONTO - A new material created at the University of Toronto could lead to clothing that can harness the sun to recharge cellphones and other devices.

The new, thin plastic is five times more efficient at converting the sun's power into electric energy than conventional solar panels, says Ted Sargent, professor of electrical and computer engineering at the university.

The plastic composite is a combination of tiny particles called quantum dots and a thin polymer, and can absorb light in the infrared, the same kind of light used in television remote controls.

And while today's best plastic solar cells can convert only six per cent of the sun's energy to electricity, Sargent says his film can capture 30 per cent.