New solar cell is its own battery

Solar power is an important part of our future, but in many ways it is still too expensive. The Ohio State University has helped lessen that issue with a new device it created — a solar cell that serves as its own battery, doing so using a type of panel design that introduces air into the "breathing" battery.

The new device was detailed by Phys.org, which reports that the device is a hybrid solar cell, using air that enters the battery and a "special process" of electron transfer to charge the battery, being powered essentially by light and oxygen.

Because the solar cell hybrid includes and charges it own battery, those who use the technology will have no reason to spend extra for a separate battery bank. This will cut costs for industries that use it, which the university has stated it will offer licenses to.

According to the researchers behind the technology, the hybrid solar cell decreases the costs of using solar by 25-percent, and has the added benefit of being more energy efficient, as almost 100-percent of electrons are stored for use. The Department of Energy has gotten involved, and will be providing funding for the project to continue.

SOURCE: Phys.org