One of the inconveniences of solar panels is the natural wear and tear when exposed to constant sunlight, making them a less viable economic alternative. However, thanks to scientists of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), this worry might be coming to an end.



Researchers believe to have discovered a type of synthetic chloroplast that, just like plant cells, can regenerate when suffering from a burn.

“I was really impressed with the plants and their extremely efficient repair mechanism”, says Michael Strano, a Chemical Engineering professor leading the project. The module tries to imitate the characteristics found on a regenerating common leaf. This effect takes place thanks to a system of carbon nanotubes that provide the structure and the means, in the cells that capture solar energy, to conduct electricity, as well as synthetic phospholipids that form a support structure in the shape of a circle. The arrangement of these elements permits the regeneration of the compromised spaces due to sun damage when reacting to a specific thinner.



Up to now, these cells have been working with 40% of their efficiency. However, the researchers at MIT believe that it will be possible to improve the numbers with future experiments.

[Eurekalert.org]