• Airforce’s UAVs to be powered by dye-sensitized solar cells

  • Dye-sensitized_Solar_Cells.jpg In the future dye-sensitized solar cells are expected to power the unmanned aerial vehicles popularly known as UAVs. The main reason for this is that they are an optimum energy harvesting source that may lead to longer flight times without the need for refueling. The lead researcher who is behind this is Dr. Minoru Taya from University of Washington’s Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative. He is working on airborne solar cells by using a flexible film and a thin glass coating with transparent conductive electrodes. He was able to find out that DSSC that are made from organic materials are able to catch photons and convert them into synthesized electrons that can harvest high photon energy.


    The research teams are also looking into the challenges of DSSCs technology and are seeking to learn how durable they are and also how well their technology may integrate with the Air Force vehicles. They are also trying to build the solar cells in the wings of the plane so that it can also be harvested.
    [Sciencedaily]

    Posted in Topics:Alternative Energy, Tags: , on July 28, 2009