Dust-Shedding Polymer Could Increase Solar Panel Efficiency

Jul-06-16 Researchers have created a flexible plastic that could one day help solar panels maintain peak efficiency by shaking off dust automatically.

Created by a team from Eindhoven University of Technology and the Humboldt University in Berlin, the thin film polymer is embedded with light-sensitive molecules called azo-dyes. When exposed to sunlight, the panel will oscillate, which the team believes will help to keep dust from sticking to it.

The team is not clear why the plastic responds to light in such a way, but they are investigating more deeply.

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[GIZMAG.COM]
[TUE.NL]

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