Oxford scientists develop ultra-thin solar coating for efficient energy harvesting
Oxford scientists develop ultra-thin solar coating for efficient energy
Researchers at Oxford University's physics department have created an innovative ultra-thin, flexible material designed to absorb light with remarkable efficiency. This micro-thin coating is incredibly thin, allowing it to be easily applied to a wide range of surfaces, including buildings and various objects. Its design enables it to blend seamlessly with different structures without affecting their appearance or functionality.
The material's advanced light-absorbing properties allow it to generate nearly double the energy output compared to traditional solar panels.
The secret behind this innovation lies in perovskites—a class of materials that surpass traditional silicon-based panels in solar energy absorption. Unlike their silicon counterparts, perovskites feature light-absorbing layers adept at capturing a broader spectrum of sunlight, translating to enhanced energy generation.
Ultra-thin and versatile
Remarkably, this solar coating measures just over one micron in thickness, rendering it 150 times thinner than the silicon wafers commonly used today. Its versatility doesn't end there, the material can be printed onto diverse surfaces, including plastics and paper, utilising techniques similar to inkjet printing.
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
National Handloom Day 2026: From Alia Bhatt to Samantha Ruth Prabhu; Actresses who celebrated India's textile heritage as brides
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Unitree Robotics targets $9 billion valuation in landmark IPO backed by DeepSeek and Tencent
)
India names 27 sites in Arunachal Pradesh
)
Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata OTT: When will Kangana Ranaut's film stream online?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How many soldiers operate one S-400 battery?
)
Shakib Al Hasan ready to return to Bangladesh—under one condition
)
‘Fake news’: MEA rejects report claiming India sought defence pact with Israel after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey deal
)
Rockstar to unveil GTA 6 extended look ahead of November launch
)
Russia forms Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade to fight Ukraine
)
Drug-resistant fungus that hides in hair and enters bloodstream reported in 23 US states
)
Technology transfer deal boosts India's defence manufacturing ambitions
)
Border row erupts in Europe after Ceuta crossings, Spain imposes border controls on Italy
)
Morale plummets on USS Abraham Lincoln: Are US sailors reaching a breaking point? | GRAVITAS
)
'Security can't be bought with Pakistan, Turkey deal': Iran tells Saudi Arabia
)
Baba Vanga's 2026 prophecy: 2 predictions 'already came true', 3 terrifying ones remain. Details inside
)
Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella vows to ‘defeat narco-terrorists’, signals hardline shift
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot
)
RSS says Gen Z protests reflect genuine distress
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
IAF officer held for sharing sensitive information in 'honey trap' case, booked under Official Secrets Act
)
Stray Kids under scrutiny? Fans react to Grammy submission silence after BTS boycott
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI doesn't need external fuel tanks to fly vast distances
)
Jugal Hansraj reunites with Shekhar Kapur after 40 years for Masoom: The Next Generation
)
New speed limits, automatic challans: Big traffic change coming to Delhi-Meerut Expressway. All you need to know
)
India officially names 27 places in Arunachal to counter China's renaming claims
)
Trump calls White House ballroom ruling a 'national disgrace' as court says Congress approval needed
)
US sanctions Iran’s crypto network after Strait of Hormuz attacks, offers $15m bounty for intel on IRGC finance
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI is one of the heaviest fighters ever built
)
Uttarakhand young innovator builds India's own flying vehicle, conducts first test flight: WATCH
)
Chilling video shows students take cover as teen opens fire at Thai school
)
Reese Witherspoon's father hospitalised after poolside incident in Nashville: Report
The advent of this technology addresses longstanding challenges associated with ground-based solar farms, which often occupy vast tracts of land and spark conflicts with the agricultural sector. By enabling solar energy harvesting from existing structures, Oxford's innovation promises to alleviate land use disputes and potentially reduce energy costs.
Commercial potential and future prospects
Henry Snaith, Professor of Renewable Energy at Oxford University's Physics Department, who leads the team, highlighted the commercial potential of their development. He foresees broad applications in industries like construction and automotive manufacturing, marking the beginning of a new era in sustainable energy solutions.
‘The latest innovations in solar materials and techniques demonstrated in our labs could become a platform for a new industry, manufacturing materials to generate solar energy more sustainably and cheaply by using existing buildings, vehicles, and objects, he stated.
(With inputs from agencies)