VTT Unveils Leaf-Attached, Degradable Solar Module for Sustainable Agriculture
The use of measurement electronics in farming must increase as agriculture becomes more digitalized worldwide. But there are issues with the power supply and electronic waste. As part of a global green electronics research effort, VTT has recently created a biodegradable solar cell module power source.
VTT’s solar cell module is so lightweight and compact that it may be affixed straight to a huge leaf or the stem of a grown plant, for instance. The cell is incredibly thin, flexible, and about the size of a credit card. Both the cell and the rechargeable power source it uses to charge disintegrate at the end of the growth season.
“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, even if it is in close contact with the soil. And, there are no harmful substances to leach into the environment or exacerbate the microplastics problem,” says Maria Smolander, Research Team Leader at VTT. “Right now, sensors still aren’t being used a great deal in agriculture, but this biodegradable solution makes it possible to more effectively implement them in agricultural applications,” says Smolander.
Compostable gadget created in collaboration with six research centers
The aim of the three-year international research project is to create degradable cultivation sensors. In addition to VTT, Tampere University, University of Glasgow, Lukasiewicz Institute of Microelectronics and Photonics (Łukasiewicz-IMIF), Centre Suisse d’Electronique et de Micro technique S.A. (CSEM) and McGill University contributed to the project, which was funded by the CHIST-ERA and national funding agencies (e.g. Research Council of Finland).
“Although agriculture has served as a practical test platform for this green electronics project, the main idea is to explore how electronics can be made more environmentally friendly,” says Liisa Hakola, Senior Scientist at VTT.
In the project, VTT developed the solar cell and Tampere University developed a battery-like supercapacitor that stores energy. The project has also developed compostable sensors and modules that transmit collected data wirelessly.
“The aim here is not to collect a large amount of energy – it’s about low energy consumption sensors that can be used to monitor the state of the environment. The degradable solar cell is not intended to match the performance of conventional cells, and there is no need for a long service life”, says Marja Välimäki, Senior Scientist at VTT.
Development of a biodegradable cell set new requirements
VTT has years of comprehensive experience in the manufacture of state-of-the-art solar cells. However, development of a biodegradable cell set new requirements. The structural components must not prematurely decompose or accelerate the decomposition of other components.
“The biodegradable material is less resistant to environmental conditions, such as heat and moisture stress. It must also be ensured that the sensors are extremely light if they are going to be attached to a plant,” says Liisa Hakola.
Depending on the conditions, a biodegradable solar cell will decompose within weeks or months. Solar cell protection can be used to regulate its service life.
The cell developed by VTT is made of a bio-based thin film substrate and has a partly inorganic structure. The manufactured solar cell is less than 35 micrometers thick and, even with protection added, the total thickness remains only tenths of a millimeter.
Regulation requires more measurement technology for farms
Measurement technologies employed on farms serve the growing needs of agricultural data collection, which is used to improve yields, combat plant diseases and reduce agricultural emissions. Regulation also requires increasingly accurate measurement data.
“For example, EU regulations require that nutrient loads be studied regularly in soil samples. The new biodegradable solar cell offers a widely applicable way to collect energy, and censoring enables more real-time data collection and environmental monitoring,” explains Välimäki.
VTT is also developing environmentally friendly electronics and solar cells as part of an EU funded IoT research project, whose objectives include combining sensor technology with a sustainable circular economy and clean solutions.
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