University of Michigan solar cells inspired by Japanese kirigami. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1LZrP2W) |
However, thanks to the ancient art of Japanese paper cutting, otherwise known as 'Kirigami,' sunlight can be absorbed more by solar panels, as quoted from SlashGear.
This idea was invented by the scientists at the University of Michigan. When do the design, the engineers consulted with Mattew Shlian, a paper artist, who also teaches at the Faculty of Arts and Design at the same university.
Shlian show a Kirigami pattern that can help in the design. The pattern is basically a few lines dotted paper on a piece of paper. Aaron Lamoureux, a student S3, along with a young professor Max Shtein reproduce sophisticated version of the pattern on a piece of plastic that has been plastered with solar cells on its surface.
When tested in a setup simulating the summer solstice in Arizona, it was found that the kirigami panel was able to produce 36 percent more energy than a traditional panel. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1QsfdD4) |
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