Scientists develop plastic-based solar cell

Seoul: In a major breakthrough that can speed up commercial use of solar energy, South Korean scientists have announced the development of a highly efficient plastic-based power cell that can mimic the photo-photovoltaic activities of plants.

The team led by Lee Kwang-hee at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), said the solar cells developed by them reached an unprecedented energy efficiency rate of 6.2 per cent.

"This is the highest number reached by any single-layer plastic, organic photo-voltaic solar cell created in the world to date and should greatly help commercial use of power generation using sunlight," Lee, a material science professor at the state-run laboratory, said.

The scientists said they used a new material that have "open circuit voltage" properties and titanium oxide to bring about high efficiency.

If fully developed the solar cells, which can easily bend, could be attached to coats, bags, various electronic appliances and building windows, Yonhap news agency reported.

The breakthrough has been confirmed by the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory and published in the latest online edition of international journal of Nature Photonics.