June 17, 2025 (Xinhua News Agency) –
As agriculture becomes increasingly digitalized, the demand for environmental sensors and other measurement electronics continues to rise. However, powering these devices sustainably -- while minimizing their environmental footprint -- remains a major hurdle.
VTT's latest development provides a novel solution: a lightweight, ultra-thin solar cell module made from bio-based materials with a partially inorganic structure.
The credit card-sized solar cell module, less than 35 micrometers thick, retains an overall thickness of just a few tenths of a millimeter, even when protective layers are added. This compact design allows it to be mounted directly onto a plant stem or large leaf.
After the growing season, the module biodegrades naturally -- along with the rechargeable power source it energizes -- leaving no harmful residue in the soil.
"When a solar cell is used in an agricultural application, biodegradability is essential. In this case, there is no real harm caused if the cell cannot be removed from the field," said
While sensors, mainly used for agricultural measurement, are not yet widespread in agriculture, Smolander believes this innovation could significantly accelerate their adoption by simplifying deployment and disposal.
Agricultural measurement technologies support critical objectives such as optimizing crop yields, detecting plant diseases, and lowering emissions. They are also increasingly mandated under
"The new biodegradable solar cell offers a widely applicable way to collect energy," explained
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