The idea of transparent solar cells is quite common, but this novel application where scientists are ready to translate this concept into practice may be a crucial new finding.

At present, the materials making the photovoltaic cell opaque are the semiconductor layers, those liable for capturing light and translating it into an electrical current. Hence, Professor Joondong Kim from the Department of Electrical Engineering at Incheon National University, Korea and his colleagues checked out two potential semiconductor materials, identified by preceding researchers for their desirable properties.

The first is titanium oxide (TiO2), a well-known semiconductor already widely used to make solar cells. On top of its excellent electrical properties, TiO2 is additionally an environment friendly and non-toxic material.

The second material investigated to form this junction was nickel oxide (NiO), another semiconductor known to possess high optical transparency. As nickel is one among the most abundant elements on Earth, and its oxide can easily be manufactured at low industrial temperatures, NiO is additionally an excellent material to make eco-friendly cells.