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Plant-powered tech – Finnish scientists create solar cells that compost after harvest
The biodegradable solar cell developed by VTT is thin enough to attach to a plant, smart enough to vanish after harvest.
VTTFinnish research centre VTT leads breakthrough in biodegradable energy for smart farming.
Finland's technical research centre VTT has unveiled a solar cell designed to power agricultural sensors and then vanish into the soil. The wafer-thin, flexible module attaches directly to plant stems or leaves and biodegrades completely after the growing season.
“When a solar cell is used in an agricultural application, biodegradability is essential,” said Maria Smolander, research team leader at VTT. “There is no real harm caused if the cell cannot be removed from the field (...) no harmful substances to leach into the environment or exacerbate the microplastics problem.”
The project, involving six international research institutes, aims to develop fully degradable sensors. VTT created the solar cell and Tampere University developed a battery-like supercapacitor.
“The aim here is not to collect a large amount of energy – it’s about low energy consumption sensors that can be used to monitor the state of the environment,” commented Marja Välimäki, Senior Scientist at VTT.
A light solution
According to Liisa Hakola, also a Senior Scientist at VTT, the biodegradable material is less resistant to environmental conditions.
“It must also be ensured that the sensors are extremely light if they are going to be attached to a plant.”
The device, under 35 micrometres thick, decomposes in weeks or months, depending on environmental conditions. Protective coatings regulate its service life.
“The new biodegradable solar cell offers a widely applicable way to collect energy, and sensoring enables more real-time data collection and environmental monitoring,” said Välimäki.