How does it work

The quadcopter uses thin sheets of perovskite solar panels that are 40 times thinner than a standard sheet of paper. These panels with fasteners are only 5% of the drone’s total weight.

Although perovskite solar panels have demonstrated their potential in photovoltaics, their practical applications are limited due to sensitivity to environmental factors such as humidity.

To solve this problem, scientists coated experimental perovskite solar cells with aluminum oxide and applied them to a polymer film. the total thickness of the element was 2.5 microns.

• The drone is equipped with 24 individual modules, each with an area of ​​1 cm.²Powering four electric motors and propellers. Although the efficiency of the panels remains below 20%, their minimum weight is an important advantage.
• The weight of each element is just under 1 mg; this is less than 1% of the total weight of the drone, including electronics and mounting materials.
• The power produced by the drone panels for their weight is an impressive 44 W/h; This is significantly higher than traditional silicon solar panels used in residential buildings, which typically have a rate of 0.03 W/hour.

Solar modules make up a small fraction of drone weight / Photo: Nature Energy

Creating miniature panels that can produce enough energy to power a miniature drone is a significant step forward. This development has significant application potential in various industries and expands mobility possibilities for enthusiasts around the world.