Ultrathin layers made of Tungsten and Selenium have been
created at the Vienna University of Technology. Experiments show that they may
be used as flexible, semi-transparent solar cells.
It does not get any thinner than this: The novel material
graphene consists of only one atomic layer of carbon atoms and exhibits very
special electronic properties. As it turns out, there are other materials too,
which can open up intriguing new technological possibilities if they are
arranged in just one or very few atomic layers. Researchers at the Vienna
University of Technology have now succeeded for the first time in creating a
diode made of tungsten diselenide. Experiments show that this material may be
used to create ultrathin flexible solar cells. Even flexible displays could
become possible.