Scientists at the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland have unveiled a biodegradable solar cell module designed for use in agricultural measurement electronics, reported Xinhua.
The innovation, announced in a press release on Tuesday, addresses critical global challenges related to powering field sensors and reducing electronic waste.
As agriculture becomes increasingly digitalized, the demand for environmental sensors and other measurement electronics continues to rise. However, powering these devices sustainably — while minimizing their environmental foot — remains a major hurdle.
VTT's latest development provides a novel solution: a lightweight, ultra-thin solar cell module made from bio-based materials with a partially inorganic structure.
The credit card-sized solar cell module, less than 35 micrometers thick, retains an overall thickness of just a few tenths of a millimeter, even when protective layers are added. This compact design allows it to be mounted directly onto a plant stem or large leaf.
After the growing season, the module biodegrades naturally — along with the rechargeable power source it energizes — leaving no harmful residue in the soil.
"When a solar cell is used in an agricultural application, biodegradability is essential. In this case, there is no real harm caused if the cell cannot be removed from the field," said Maria Smolander, team leader of the research at VTT.
While sensors, mainly used for agricultural measurement, are not yet widespread in agriculture, Smolander believes this innovation could significantly accelerate their adoption by simplifying deployment and disposal.
Agricultural measurement technologies support critical objectives such as optimizing crop yields, detecting plant diseases, and lowering emissions. They are also increasingly mandated under European Union regulations, which call for more precise and extensive data collection on farms.
"The new biodegradable solar cell offers a widely applicable way to collect energy," explained Marja Valimaki, senior scientist at VTT. "Combined with sensor technology, it enables more real-time data collection and environmental monitoring."
- Finnish researchers
- Solar cell
- VTT
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
