JKU develops first solar-operated drone to produce energy on Earth and in space

A team of researchers at the Johannes Kepler University Linz has developed something truly astonishing. The first solar-operated drone that is able to produce energy both down here on Earth as well as in the vastness of space. Drones have reshaped modern-day society, as the everyday Joe can go into a store and purchase a drone for a relatively cheap price. A major problem for all drones has been the power; most drones can only operate for around 30-40 minutes of flight time. But this new development by the researchers at JKU has opened up a world of possibilities for the future.

Ultra-thin solar panels will enable longer flights for drones

The fact that we have drones is remarkable on its own; add to that the new flexible material that the research team at JKU has developed, and we are edging closer to science fiction becoming reality. The goal of the research project was to enable autonomous energy, something that has been a thorn in the side of the drone community for years, whether it be on the smaller scale or the larger drones that the military and NASA use.

The all-new ultra-thin and flexible solar cells are made from a revolutionary material called “perovskite” and have the potential to completely change the drone industry for the better. For far too long, the drone users of the world have been forced to purchase several batteries to make long flight times a reality, but this new development can change all that by offering drones a self-sufficient source of power, enabling exceedingly long flight times.

The new solar cells are smaller and thinner than a single human hair

Technology has produced some truly amazing materials in recent years as the world is furiously searching for ways to deliver more bang for your buck in the energy sector. Several new materials and approaches have been tried and failed to produce something of this magnitude. But who would have guessed that a research team from the Johannes Kepler University would deliver us this new quasi-2D material known as perovskite?

Scientists and researchers are known for testing their discoveries or materials in a process known as peer review. It is the basis for scientific progress, and the team from JKU has attached the pervoskite to a drone that operated for an extended period of time and has stated that the drone had 24 of these new cells, which gave the drone in question a power output of up to 44 watts per gram. Solar, it would seem, is the future of the energy sector.

“Ultra-thin and lightweight solar cells not only have enormous potential to revolutionize the way energy is generated in the aerospace industry but there are also a wide range of applications that include wearable electronics and the Internet of Things, that can also benefit from this new technology. Lightweight, adaptable, and highly efficient photovoltaics are the key to developing the next generation of self-sufficient energy systems.” – Christoph Putz, one of the study’s lead authors

Will we see the new technology available soon for purchase by the public

Not likely, while the practical implications are far-reaching, as far as space, the real-world application of the new technology is still some ways off from entering the market. Thanks to the world’s acceptance and, in some cases, the embrace of solar power, more and more advancements are being made every day. The world needs to move away from the harmful fossil fuels that have ravaged the earth towards a more eco-friendly and sustainable energy source, and solar power might just be the solution to our energy needs. That is what the research team at JKU will be hoping for.