An application for this technology is in building low-cost, high-efficiency, highly reliable and lightweight solar cell arrays for use in solar-powered spacecraft. The resulting lightweight flexible solar cell arrays with improved record-efficiencies will be an attractive replacement for the existing stiff, heavy carbon fiber panel-based arrays. For NASA, this will be an enabling technology for solar electric propulsion or any mission that requires electrical power. Inner Space and outer Space missions including NASA's Mars program can benefit from the developed technology.
Other applications from this work include arrays for powering UAVs, (unmanned aerial vehicles) and high altitude long endurance (HALE) aircraft. MicroLink's high-efficiency, lightweight, and high specific power solar cells are a critical and enabling technology that will increase the flight endurance and uninterrupted flight time of the current HALE platforms. These solar cell can be used as a power source for "wearables", "internet of things (IOT)" devices as well as the next generation of electric cars. For these markets using flexible and highly efficient solar cells is an enabling technology. Moreover, introduction of solar cells with efficiencies beyond 40% will be a game-changer for the struggling Concentrated Photovoltaics (CPV) market.
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