Researchers from Johannes Kepler University Linz have built a quadrocopter drone powered by electricity generated from ultralight, ultrathin photovoltaic cells, allowing it to be self-sufficient and stay in air for extended period of time.
![Self-sufficient solar powered drone](https://about-engineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Solar-power-for-autonomous-flight-1024x465.jpg)
An ultralight and flexible solar cell module 20x thinner than a strand of human hair can power a wide range of electronics anywhere there is light. Less than 2.5 micrometers (1 micrometer = 1 millionth of a meter) thick, the quasi-2D perovskite solar cells deliver an impressive 20.1% efficiency while maintaining a high degree of flexibility. Above all, the remarkable power density of 44 W/g clearly sets it apart from other types of solar cell technologies.
In order to create operationally reliable, highly stable, and flexible solar cells with a high power-to-weight ratio, there needs to be a balance between low gas and moisture permeability, a high degree of flexibility and transparent plastic substrates combined with sturdy photovoltaic materials. The cells’ operational stability was significantly improved by applying a transparent aluminum oxide layer to the thin film and then optimizing the solar cell material itself.
To demonstrate their new technology’s capabilities, researchers fitted a palm-sized, commercial quadcopter drone with the ultra-light solar cells. Twenty-four of these cells were seamlessly integrated into the drone’s frame, making up just 1/400 of its total weight. The configuration enabled the drone to operate self-sufficiently and perform consecutive charge-flight-charge cycles without wired recharging, thereby demonstrating just how efficient and sustainable the solar cells are.
The new technology has potential applications in search & rescue operations, large-scale mapping, generating solar power in space, and exploring the solar system.
jku.at