3D-printed concentrator arrays for external light trapping on thin film solar cells, a recently published paper from a team of authors out of the Netherlands, brings 3D printing into the solar energy field in a new way. The paper examines the use of 3D printed light traps that are added on to organic solar cells, enhancing the efficiency of the light collecting process. Parabolic-shaped 3D printed light traps improve the opportunity to catch and then convert photons, and they are best used in arrays. The paper was authored by Lourens van Dijk, E.A. Pepijn Marcus, A. Jolt Oostra, Ruud E.I. Schropp, and Marcel Di Vece. Find out more about their research in the full story: http://3dprint.com/58515/solar-cell-light-trap-arrays/


Below is a photo of the 3D printed arrays, next to a coin for scale: