Dye-sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC) to Power Air Force UAVs?
Flexible dye-sensitized solar cell (Courtesy of Nagata and Taya, University of Washington)
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) are expected to power Air Force unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the future…
Why?
Because they are an optimum energy harvesting source that may lead to longer flight times without refueling!
I want to know more about DSSCs…
These are airborne solar cells made by using a flexible film and a thin glass coating with transparent conductive electrodes. DSSCs made from organic materials, which use dyes and moth-eye film, are able to catch photons from the sun’s rays and convert them into synthesized electrons that can harvest high photon energy.
Tell me about the advantages…
These kinds of solar cells,
- Have more specific power convergence efficiency (PCE)
- Are powered by very clean energy
- And possess easy scalability to a larger skin area of the craft
Who is behind this effort?
The University of Washington’s Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) project team.
via: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
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