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Onions used in innovative approach to make solar power more eco-friendly, contradicting common perception of solar energy's environmental impact.

Solar radiation gradually degrades solar panel materials, but a mix of red onion extract and nanocellulose provides a promising filter solution.

Onion farming as an alternative in solar energy: a surprising solution to energy production...
Onion farming as an alternative in solar energy: a surprising solution to energy production concerns suggested by scientists due to solar power's questionable environmental impact.

Onions used in innovative approach to make solar power more eco-friendly, contradicting common perception of solar energy's environmental impact.

In the realm of science and technology, a new development is shedding light on the future of solar energy. A study, not conducted by this article's author, Darren Orf, has unveiled a promising bio-based UV filter for solar cells.

The research team aimed to find a sustainable alternative to oil-based UV filters, a crucial component in the protection of various types of solar cells, including perovskite and organic photovoltaics. Their solution? An organic combination of nanocellulose, lignin, iron ions, and red onion extract.

This innovative film not only effectively blocked 99.9% of UV radiation but also held up under rigorous testing, outperforming commercial-level UV filters. The red onion extract, in particular, provided 80% light transmission between 650 to 1,100 nanometers while maintaining performance over a 1,000-hour testing period.

Darren Orf, a writer and editor residing in Portland, brings this exciting discovery to a wider audience through his work. His areas of expertise include sci-fi and explanations of the world's workings, making complex scientific topics accessible and engaging.

Beyond solar cells, this new bio-based UV filter could be beneficial in microsensors and other applications where the use of a bio-degradable UV filter is crucial. The study also underscored the importance of long-term testing for UV filters, as the UV protection and light transmittance of other bio-based filters have been known to change significantly over time.

For those interested in learning more about this groundbreaking study, Darren's previous work can be found at Gizmodo and Paste. However, the specific article being discussed in this piece was not specified in the provided text.

In conclusion, the use of red onion extract in nanocellulose films offers a promising option for applications where the protective material should be bio-based. This development could revolutionise the solar energy industry and pave the way for more sustainable technologies in the future.

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