A tiny solar panel on a soap bubble

The MIT engineer Vladimir Bulovic has succeeded in creating the smallest solar panel ever made. This photovoltaic cell is so small that it could fit on glass or a soap bubble.

The sun, the most promising energy source

The sun is undoubtedly the most promising energy source. Although production capacity varies from one place to another on the planet (a striking difference between the southern and northern hemispheres), it is available everywhere on Earth. In 2015, a record green investment of 367 billion dollars was recorded worldwide. Solar energy plays a predominant role in this. Indeed, it is also the very first time that investment in developing countries exceeds that in developed countries, with 167 billion compared to 162 billion dollars.

A super powerful photovoltaic cell

In order to further optimize the production capacity of solar panels, MIT engineer Vladimir Bulovic has created a solar panel so tiny that it can fit on a soap bubble. It is 100 times thinner than glass and produces up to 400 times more energy per kilogram. This product is very promising for small electronic devices.

A panel made of a single block

What is even more fascinating about this microscopic panel is that it is made from a single block. This represents an innovation, as the existing panels are all composed of an absorption cell, a protective layer, and a support glued together. It is manufactured on a glass plate. However, it is quite complicated to detach the cell from the glass itself.

An idea still at the experimental stage

The smallest solar cell in the world is still at the experimental stage. It is not yet ready to be commercialized, although its potential use in the aerospace field is already suspected. Currently, the team working on it is still focusing on facilitating its use. Indeed, if one sneezes on its support, the cell may come off.