The Boston College and South China Normal University researchers noted that the designs seen in leaf veins and spider web have near perfect implications when they are adapted for optoelectronic applications. This means the designs could be used for solar photovoltaic devices or even touch screen displays.
Light-manipulating networks enhanced by natural design
The basic idea this new direction in light-manipulating networks, as stated by Andrzej Herczynski (co-author) in the publication featured in Nature Communications, is that natural forms like spider webs already offer ready-made solutions for high efficient designs, being tested and perfected over millions of years through natural selection.
One of the new nature-based light-manipulating networks they experimented on was a highly efficient electrode for solar panel cells and it was based entirely on the designs from a leaf.
Nature designed these pathways in order to survive and this meant optimal nutrient delivery as well as light harvesting and more. When applied to light-manipulating networks technology, these same designs were converted to advance current transport, minimal light shading, and even better mechanical properties in existing tech.
A second tech demo was designed revolving around the natural designs of spider webs. The implication could be that these designs could further advance light-manipulating networks due to their natural capability of being very sensitive, very flexible, and very strong.
New designs bring untold benefits to light-manipulating networks
Low cost for production and maintenance are also on the list of benefits that these nature-based light-manipulating networks could reap in the near future.
At the time of writing, the designs have been tested in experimental scenarios. Both the leaf and spider web designs deliver 4x increase in electro-optical properties. This is the benchmark of merit or the telltale sign that they have reached a milestone achievement and not an insignificant step forward.
For example, the spider web design could be stretched to 25% without a single drop in performance. Drop in performance is very minimal when it is stretched 100% of its original design size.
To date, there is no other electrode in the market that can be stretched more than 10%
Natural design trumps old technology by a staggering 15% in initial testing
This new design could further the current light-manipulating networks used in developing solar cells, flexible touch screen displays, and more. If these designs are applied on the current rising trend of solar-powered battery bracelets and camouflaged solar panels then the creative possibilities are limitless.
At the moment the nature-based light-manipulating networks could be applied in every light-current pathway used in modern technology.
All of these advancements are not just achievements in the manipulation of light and electronic current but it may also be the gateway to cheaper, more efficient renewable energy technology in the near future.
These designs may hold the secret into creating solar cells that are at least 35% cheaper than how their cost today and they could boost an efficiency rating of more than 100% if the statistical data holds true when up-scaled.
