New iJET Solar Cell is as Easy to Make as Pizza

Andrew Williams — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 16:37:16 +0000

An Australian scientist has developed a new method of manufacturing solar cells using nothing more than some nail polish remover, a pizza oven and a standard inkjet printer.

The iJET technique is so easy and cheap to carry out that it could revolutionize access to solar technology in the developing world.

In a recent radio interview (audio), Nicole Kuepper, a 23 year-old PhD student at the University of New South Wales, explained the process.

PhD Student Discovers Method to Produce Solar Cells in Pizza Oven

Ariel Schwartz — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:40:27 +0000

Solar power usage is growing in the United States, Europe, and Australia, but what about developing areas that don’t even have access to basic electricity? Now that University of NSW PhD student Nicole Kuepper has developed a cheap and simple way of producing solar cells in a pizza oven, these areas might get a chance to use solar power too.

Photovoltaic cells are generally expensive to produce and require large manufacturing plants. But Kuepper’s technology needs relatively low-cost items such as ovens, ink-jet printers, and nail polish. Her iJET solar cells also use a low-temperature process.

Green Options » nicole kuepper

New iJET Solar Cell is as Easy to Make as Pizza

PhD Student Discovers Method to Produce Solar Cells in Pizza Oven