New photovoltaics could assist re-charge of e-book readers

Scientists from Warwick University, in collaboration with spin-out company Molecular Solar, have created an organic solar cell that generates a sufficiently high voltage to recharge a lithium-ion battery directly, without the need to connect multiple individual cells in series.

According to a statement, modules of these high-voltage cells perform well in different light conditions, including partial shade, making them well matched to consumer electronic devices such as e-book readers, cameras and some mobile phones.

Organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells, the so-called ‘third generation’ of solar technology, offer opportunities due to the potential for cheap manufacture of lightweight, low-profile photovoltaics compatible with flexible substrates.

This new OPV technology is a claimed to be a significant breakthrough as scientists have addressed the problem of low-output voltage when the module is in low light levels or partial shading, taking an important step towards rolling out cheap OPV cells in low-power portable electronics.

The scientists, from the university’s Department of Chemistry, have also demonstrated a cell with an operating voltage of up to 7V, a figure higher than the 4.2V needed to power a standard lithium-ion battery.