Imagine a solar panel as thin as a piece of foil that doesn't rely on rare, expensive minerals. This team is using a common material called zinc phosphide to capture sunlight more efficiently. They've also found a way to peel the solar layer off its base, allowing the expensive manufacturing equipment to be reused over and over.
Current solar cells often rely on critical raw materials that are expensive or hard to source and are difficult to recycle. There is a need for high-efficiency, flexible, and truly sustainable alternatives for the next generation of electronics.
A prototype of an ultra-thin solar cell using zinc phosphide (Zn3P2) and a process to exfoliate the layer for substrate reuse.
If you are a wearable tech manufacturer dealing with bulky batteries and rigid power sources — this project developed an ultra-thin PV technology that enables flexible solar integration into clothing and accessories. This allows for continuous charging in a lightweight form factor.
If you are a smart building developer dealing with the high cost and weight of traditional rooftop panels — this project developed a scalable, thin-film semiconductor that can be integrated into building surfaces. It targets efficiency enhancements of up to 15% to maximize energy harvest from facades.
If you are a soft robotics startup dealing with limited power autonomy for flexible machines — this project developed a flexible solar cell based on Zn3P2. This provides a sustainable, lightweight power source that moves with the robot's structure.
Based on available project data, the technology is designed to be cost-effective by using earth-abundant materials and a substrate recycling process. A full life cycle analysis is being performed to assess major cost drivers like material costs and production processes.
Yes, the project is scaling up the growth process to 2” wafers to ensure it is industrially compatible for mass production.
Based on available project data, the project is currently in the research and demonstration phase; specific licensing terms or patents are not listed in the summary.
The project explores metal-organic vapour-phase epitaxy and nanoimprinting, which are standard industrial routes for synthesizing high-quality thin films.
The project runs from 2022-10-01 to 2026-09-30, aiming to provide a prototype that convinces the PV industry of the material's value by the end of the period.
The consortium is heavily research-oriented, consisting of 8 partners from 6 countries. It is composed of 5 universities and 3 research organizations, with 0% industry participation. This indicates the technology is in an early stage of development, focusing on scientific validation rather than immediate commercial deployment.
Contact FUNDACIO INSTITUT CATALA DE NANOCIENCIA I NANOTECNOLOGIA in Spain
Contact us to track the transition of this prototype to industrial pilots.
