– I am very happy and grateful to receive this award. This is an honor not only for me and the wonderful team at Saule Technologies, without whom this success would not have been possible. In fact, it is an award for all scientists who want their discoveries to bring practical benefits to the entire society – said physicist Olga Malinkiewicz.
Olga Malinkiewicz awarded for perovskite solar cells
– Moving from the stage of scientific research to the stage of commercialization of the developed technology is extremely difficult. Most inventors fail at this stage. We succeeded. I hope that our success will give wings, energy and faith to all those who have the courage to dream – she added.
The European Patent Office (EPO) honoured Polish physicist Olga Malinkiewicz and her team in Malta on Tuesday 9 July in the SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) category of the European Inventor Award 2024. The team also received the Popular Prize, which highlights the key role of the discovery in developing renewable energy technologies.
Malinkiewicz and her colleagues are recognized for creating printable thin, flexible perovskite solar cells that allow for a more sustainable and versatile approach to harnessing solar energy from both natural and artificial light sources. The researchers used an innovative inkjet printing process to produce the cells in a way that increases sustainability and reduces energy consumption.
Perovskite photovoltaic cells, the technology of the future?
Dr. Malinkiewicz and her team’s printable solar cells weigh so little that a one-square-meter sheet can be held effortlessly between two fingers. They introduce a novel concept of light recycling and allow for versatile implementations. Thanks to the unique properties of perovskites, which can absorb a wider range of solar wavelengths, this groundbreaking technology is both versatile and cost-effective.
Perovskite cells are characterized by high efficiency, and their production, requiring minimal energy, has a low environmental impact. Olga Malinkiewicz emphasizes that inkjet printing is a cost-effective and energy-efficient method of producing perovskite solar cells – compared to other methods, such as evaporation systems and spin coating. This sustainable approach fits into wider environmental protection goals and global initiatives for greener technologies.
Source: Gazeta
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