A smartphone that can be charged by sunlight – scientists have created transparent solar cells that can be embedded in glass

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Imagine a world where your smartphone charges itself when exposed to sunlight, without the need for wires or electrical outlets.

Scientists have long been looking for ways to integrate renewable energy into everyday objects, and this futuristic vision is now closer to reality thanks to a breakthrough that could potentially enable devices to be charged directly through their screens.

A research team from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering of the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) has developed transparent solar cells that can be incorporated into the glass surfaces of mobile devices, cars and buildings, providing a seamless and efficient way to generate energy from sunlight.

Ecological energy of the future

Led by Professor Kwanyong Seo, the transparent solar cell and module has a glass-like appearance, colorless and transparent. The team achieved this by using an “all-back-contact” design, where all solar cell components are placed at the back, leaving the front visually unobstructed. Scientists also developed Seamless Modularization technology, which eliminates gaps between solar cells and eliminates the need for opaque metal wires that previously detracted from the appearance of transparent solar cells.

The team’s 16 cm² transparent solar cell module achieved high efficiency with transmittance ranging from 20% to 14.7% and successfully charged a smartphone using natural sunlight, demonstrating that screens can serve as energy sources.

“This study fundamentally solved the aesthetic problem of the existing solar cell modularization method by designing a new device structure,” noted researcher Jeonghwan Park and research assistant professor Kangmin Lee. “It demonstrates the feasibility of using transparent silicon solar cells in a variety of industries, such as small appliances, as well as buildings and automotive glass.”

Professor Seo added: “We have opened a new research path in modularization, which is necessary for the commercialization of transparent silicon solar cells. We plan to continue further research to ensure that transparent solar cells can become a key technology in an eco-friendly energy industry of the future.”

The study was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

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