Moth eyes could lead to more efficient solar cells

March 6, 2015

Chuck Bednar for redOrbit.com – @BednarChuck

The compound lenses found in the eyes of moths have inspired a team of researchers to develop a new antireflective coating that could make solar cells more efficient than ever before.

In a recent edition of the journal ACS Nano, researchers at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research in Singapore explain that compound lenses found in nocturnal moth eyes helped lead to a coating that can also sharpen the view of solar cell image sensors.

Important non-reflective pattern

The moths ocular faculties contain micro lenses (ommatidia) which are patterned with nanoscale dome-shaped bumps that help reduce the reflection of light at multiple wavelengths, according to Gizmodo. These ommatidia make it possible for the moths to navigate in the dark.

“The ability to capture light and not let go is appealing in the world of solar cells because it can increase efficiency,” the website added. “So the team from Singapore has taken inspiration from the complex lens structure to create a process that stamps patterns over the surface of a material, replicating the antireflective effects of the moths’ eyes.”

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Cheap solar cells made from shrimp shells

The materials chitin and chitosan found in the shells are abundant and significantly cheaper to produce than the expensive metals such as ruthenium, which is similar to platinum, that are currently used in making nanostructured solar-cells.

Currently the efficiency of solar cells made with these biomass-derived materials is low but if it can be improved they could be placed in everything from wearable chargers for tablets, phones and smartwatches, to semi-transparent films over window.

Researchers, from QMUL's School of Engineering and Materials Science, used a process known as hydrothermal carbonization to create the carbon quantum dots (CQDs) from the widely and cheaply available chemicals found in crustacean shells. They then coat standard zinc oxide nanorods with the CQDs to make the solar cells.

Dr Joe Briscoe, one of the researchers on the project, said: "This could be a great new way to make these versatile, quick and easy to produce solar cells from readily available, sustainable materials. Once we've improved their efficiency they could be used anywhere that solar cells are used now, particularly to charge the kinds of devices people carry with them every day.

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