Solar Cell Doubles As Battery

Scientists in Japan have developed a solar powered device which can store energy for later use.

“Scientists from Toin University of Yokohama in Japan have designed a single, compact device that can both convert solar energy to electricity and store the electricity. “We succeeded inincorporating both photovoltaic and storage functions in a single cell with a thin, sandwich-type structure,” said Tsutomu Miyasaka, a researcher at the University.

The researchers’ photocapacitor is also efficient at capturing energy from weak light sources like sunlight on cloudy or rainy days and indoor lighting.”

The new solar cell could eventually be used to power cell phones, digital camera’s and PDA’s making the new solar batteries a perfect item for those that spend a great deal of time outdoors.

Read more at Technology Review