While I may not know the inner-workings of solar power technology on a scientific level, some advances don’t require expert analysis to forecast their future success. One such breakthrough will come in the form of polymer solar cells, which are essentially smaller, more cost-effective solar cells than their silicon counterparts.

The research, published yesterday by scientists at the Eindhoven University of Technology, shows a digital mapping of the nano-molecular makeup of the cells, which “are flexible and lightweight , and therefore suitable to be used on vehicles or clothing or to be incorporated in the design of objects.”

Science Daily explains:

“Even though these hybrid polymer solar cells are among the most efficient reported to date for this class, their power conversion efficiency of 2% in sunlight must be enhanced to make them really useful. This will be realized by improving the control over the morphology of the photoactive blend, for example by creating polymers that can interact with the metal oxide and by developing polymers or molecules that absorb a larger part of the solar spectrum. At such point, the intrinsic advantages of hybrid polymer solar cells in terms of low cost and thermal stability of the nanoscale structure could be fully exploited.”

As I talked about in a recent interview on solar technology, the fact that cells such as these could be used in smaller applications leads me to believe that hybrid polymer cells could be the pathway into gadget-scale, personal solar technology. Assuming these eventual executions have true utility in our daily lives as opposed to faddish appeal with little impact, I see truly bright future on the horizon.

[image via Jeremy Levine Design]