Invention of glass that can generate electric current

With a laser etched surface, tellurite glass generates an electric current in response to ultraviolet and visible light.

Scientists from the Tokyo Institute of Technology (Japan) and the Lausanne Institute of Technology (Switzerland) have invented a type of glass that can generate electric current when exposed to light , thereby opening up the prospect of a new source of electricity. new clean energy in the long term.

A piece of tellurite glass engraved with a femtosecond laser (laser emits ultra-short light pulses) can generate an electric current - (Photo: KYODO).

The research was published in the scientific journal Physical Review Applied (USA), according to which scientists used a femtosecond laser - a laser that emits ultra-short light pulses - to engrave on the surface of glass and created a line. electricity.

Professor Yves Bellouard at the Lausanne Institute of Technology and director of the institute's Galatea Laboratory said the technology is "surprising and innovative" because it can transform materials without adding anything else.

According to this laser technology expert, an intern at the Galatea - Goezden Torun Laboratory had previous experience using femtosecond lasers on different types of glass, including tellurite glass - a industrial material. industry is used to produce optical fibers.

During his research, Torun accidentally created a semiconductor crystal on tellurite glass. With a laser etched surface, tellurite glass generates an electric current in response to ultraviolet and visible light.

Professor Tetsuo Kishi at the Tokyo Institute of Technology said: "Glass is a passive material that only lets light pass through, but after using a femtosecond laser, this type of glass turns into an active material, which can transmits current like a semiconductor".

According to professor Tetsuo Kishi, the research team can change the shape of the glass, making the glass lighter and thinner by changing the composition to make this invention more useful and practical.

Although many challenges remain, the researchers hope to one day develop tellurite glass-coated windows using femtosecond lasers.

"This will create a clean energy source and thereby reduce the need for fossil fuels," Mr. Bellouard said .