Natick Develops Power-Generating Textiles Through Photovoltaics

Applications

• Military and Commercial Significance:
• PVs decrease weight, increase mobility and sustainability for the military
• PVs extend mission times, and minimize signature and logistics support requirements
• PVs save lives as emergency backup power-generating devices
• Collaboration between scientists at Natick Soldier Center and the University of Massachusetts Lowell resulted in intellectual property that led to the development of the first dye-sensitized nanocomposite plastic solar cells.
• This breakthrough resulted in the formation of a company, Konarka Technologies, which is now using reel-to-reel processing to manufacture plastic PV devices. Konarka builds power plastic that converts light to energy – anywhere. The company develops and manufactures light-activated power plastic that is inexpensive, lightweight, flexible and versatile. This material makes it possible for devices, systems and structures to have their own low cost embedded sources of renewable power. By integrating energy generation functionality into everyday devices, Konarka allows manufacturers to offer truly wireless applications.
• Integration of this versatile power plastic into the design of systems for lighting, sensing, communicating and computing extend and enhance battery life without increasing or otherwise impeding the form factor of product designs. Konarka’s photovoltaic fibers and durable plastics bring power-generating capabilities to structures including tents, awnings, roofs, windows and window coverings.
• Consumer electronics such as cell phones and portable music players can be charged with indoor or outdoor light. Business products such as networked electronics, laptops and PDAs can all be operated longer without the need to plug them into a standard wall outlet. Military applications include battery charging on the battlefield, remote power for unmanned vehicles and soldiers, and solar-powered sensor networks.