Increase the efficiency of solar cells with ... sound

Researchers at Queen Mary's College and London's Imperial College have said they have developed a solar cell that can generate electricity with both sunlight and sound waves , significantly increasing efficiency. of solar energy technology.

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Photo: Discovery

The team used a solar panel made of ordinary polymer and pressed a layer of zinc oxide (ZnO). When exposed to noise and sunlight, they found that it produced more energy than just exposure to sunlight. In particular, electricity is generated as much as scientists use rock or pop music, thought to be due to its exposure to high frequency sounds.

Zinc oxide is a piezoelectric material, meaning that it generates electrical current when bent or twisted, and vice versa when it is piezoelectric, it will twist or bend. So, when the sound waves hit the zinc oxide layer, it bends the material and creates electricity. Surprisingly, the sound of 75 decibels (equivalent to the noise on a freeway or in a crowded restaurant) can effectively increase the power output of the battery panel by 40%.

Dr Steve Dunn of Queen Mary University says he wants to make bigger panels and hopes to use them in places where noise and sunshine, such as restaurants and train stations, to run the screen running letters.