Raipur : Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bhilai,have developed a cost-effective and industry-friendly formulation for a “self-healing coating” for solar cells.
This formulation, created through a simple process, allows for the spontaneous healing of cracks within a remarkably short time frame of just 5 minutes. The team, led by Dr Sanjib Banerjee from the department of chemistry, will evaluate the potential of this promising coating formulation for aerospace applications, with the ultimate goal of developing self-healing coatings for that industry. The research findings have been published in the prestigious European Polymer Journal, adding to the credibility of the work. The project is being supported by IIT Bhilai, DSIR, and SERB.
According to Dr Banerjee, solar cells harness the power of sunlight and convert it into electricity without consuming any fuel or producing harmful emissions. As a renewable energy source, solar cells play a crucial role in combating climate change by reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. Solar energy, being abundant and sustainable, presents a viable solution for meeting our increasing energy demands.
However, prolonged exposure to hot and humid environmental conditions can cause damage to solar cells. The introduction of a self-healing coating material has the potential to prevent crack propagation and system failures, thereby restoring the material and system properties. Although nature offers some examples of self-healing phenomena, translating them into engineered materials for everyday use presents significant challenges.
The team of researchers, including Subrata Dolui, Bhanendra Sahu, Devendra Kumar, and Dr Sanjib Banerjee, aims to bridge this gap and bring self-healing technology to practical applications.
