'Conductive ink' solar panels capture sun power for servicemembers

  • Published
  • By Pete Meltzer Jr.
  • Air Force Research Laboratory Materials and Manufacturing Directorate
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFNS) --  Air Force and civilian scientists have developed a ready-to-use, cost-reducing technology that captures and stores solar energy to power global positioning system components, portable communications and other devices used by U.S. servicemembers. 

Air Force Research Laboratory Materials and Manufacturing Directorate officials provided guidance and funding to Plextronics, Inc., and the Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization Center to develop a special "conductive ink" that can be used to make printed organic photovoltaic solar cell panels on very thin, flexible surfaces using ink-jet printing, said 2nd Lt. Christopher A. Vaiana of the Directorate's Nonmetallic Materials Division.

This new technology, called Plexcore®, developed and manufactured by Plextronics, allows solar cells to form-fit servicemembers' uniforms. It can also be used to print solar panels onto thin films in military tents, Lieutenant Vaiana said.

Plextronics' primary focus is organic solar cell and organic light emitting diodes, and more specifically, the conductive inks and process technologies that enable such applications.

"Solar power and solid-state lighting offer substantial promise as approaches toward the development of practical alternative energy technology," Lieutenant Vaiana said. "Combined with the low-cost manufacturing methods of printed electronics, solar and solid-state lighting panels could become economical and environmentally compatible solutions to current day and future energy challenges."

"Military and commercial operations demand portable, highly efficient power sources. Using the power provided by natural sunlight via solar cells is an attractive option, yet has thus far been restricted by cost and size," Lieutenant Vaiana said.

"Plextronics' new technology represents a significant step forward in printing inexpensive solar cells capable of powering a wide range of portable devices such as cell phones and radios. Key outcomes include lower costs and reduced logistical footprints for military operations across the battlefield environment," he added.