MIT researchers have created the world’s thinnest and lightest solar cell yet. It’s so thin that it can be placed on a soap bubble without causing it to burst. The goal is to use these cells in wireless cell phone charging technologies, as well as adding solar arrays to mobile devices. The team decided to use flexible parylene film – similar to the cling-wrap, but at 1/10 the thickness – on glass for the first layer of the solar cell. This film is placed on top and below the ultra-thin solar cell, protecting it from dirt and damage to enhance performance. Click here to view the first image in this week’s funny work pictures gallery. Continue reading for a viral video of a functional rotary engine made from paper.
