 |
| A sample of the solar 'skin' |
Ever had a dream about robotic artificial skin, which, um, harvests power? Then, it would be fine if I say 'Zhenan Bao, a chemical engineer at Stanford, has got something for you.'
She is working on a solar cell which is stretchable & claims that this could be used to make artificial skin which can generate electricity as well as would be sensitive and responsive. These solar cells are able to expand upto 30% extra in any two directions & this enable them to fit on human skin of parts like hands & legs. The electrodes are made from a liquid metal called Eutectic Gallium- Indium (EGaIn) that conforms to a surface as it lengthens & relaxes.
Bao dreams that such a solar cell would make self powering building and would be crucial in establishing an eco-friendly society. At First, I didn't think this would work as we need sunlight to synthesize Vitamin-D, but , It seems she has a solution.
