Solar Panel Mesh (IMAGE)
Caption
Researchers at the Ohio State University have invented a solar battery -- a combination solar cell and battery -- which recharges itself using air and light. The design required a solar panel which captured light, but admitted air to the battery. Here, scanning electron microscope images show the solution: nanometer-sized rods of titanium dioxide (larger image) which cover the surface of a piece of titanium gauze (inset). The holes in the gauze are approximately 200 micrometers across, allowing air to enter the battery while the rods gather light.
Credit
Image courtesy of Yiying Wu, The Ohio State University.
Usage Restrictions
None
License
Licensed content