Big things come in microscopic packages

We have seen the future, and it is small.  And clean.  

Technological advancement is something of a paradox. Devices continue to become smaller and smaller while the practical means to power them remain stuck in the past. It’s simply not feasible to connect nanotechnological items to massive photovoltaic cells, leaving batteries as the only way. 

Until now, that is.  

Researchers at the University of South Florida have built and tested some of the tiniest solar cells ever.   Intended for use with microscopic machines, four of these cells would fit in this lowercase ‘o’. 

What does this mean? 

Firstly, solar power might become a viable power source for handheld and even microscopic devices. The future could see form-fitting plastic batteries for cell phones and laptops. Further down the line, possibly even solar-powered surgical nanobots.  

Second and perhaps more immediately, flexible sheets of tiny solar cells may ultimately provide a cheaper, more efficient energy source than anything available today. 

Two Palo Alto-based companies, Nanosys and Nanosolar, say if their research is borne out, eventually thin rolls of highly efficient light-collecting plastics covering rooftops – or even built into building materials – could supply vast amounts of cheap power.  

Rooftop rolls of tiny, flexible solar cells could conceivably provide electricity as cheaply as currently provided by utilities, or around $1 per watt. 

Practical applications are some time off. Micro and nano solar technology is still in the beta testing stage – at best. Industry watchers say mass production of these products will likely be five years in the future – or longer.

Photo courtesy of Nanosys.