Solar equipment for Australian soldiers

High-toughness solar panels thinner than a human hair or a sheet of paper will be used by Australian troops in Afghanistan, allowing soldiers to use this portable power source even when they are on patrol.

The solar cells, invented by researchers at the Australian National University, can be used to cover the surface of helmets, tents or clothing to charge power tools such as night vision goggles.

This invention can also bring great convenience to the lives of ordinary people, as it can charge mobile phones, computers and other electrical appliances. Moreover, one square meter of solar panels can produce 140W of electricity, and can be rolled into a ball after use, saving a lot of space.

"A typical solar cell is about 0.2 millimeters thick, or 200 microns. Something that thin cannot be bent or it will break," said Andrew Blakers, the lead researcher on the project.

"But the panels we're working on are about 45 microns thick, so they can be easily folded or unfolded, and their efficiency is the same as regular solar panels on the market. By comparison, superfine merino wool is only 18 microns thick."

In fact, if the solar panels taken out of a box as big as a wine barrel are unfolded, they can cover an area of ​​several square meters.

"If you're looking at carrying hundreds of watts of power in a small area, especially if you're in a remote area, this panel is the best option," Professor Blakers said. "Also, this battery can be used to charge tracking systems, such as trackers attached to kangaroos or other animals."

The thin-film solar cells will be installed in Idaho, USA, by Transform, a company partly owned by Australian utility Origin Energy.

Army spokesman Maj. Gen. John Caligari said the large amount of heavy, battery-powered equipment soldiers carry around necessitated the power revolution.

"Typically, soldiers carry about half a kilogram of batteries to keep radios, night vision goggles, flashlights, communications systems running," he said. "If we could have a single power source - rather than batteries that need to be constantly recharged - that would be a huge benefit for us. It would keep those power systems running and also significantly reduce the weight we carry."