This window by Dutch designer Marjan van Aubel is made up from coloured solar cells that harvest energy from the sun and convert it into electricity to charge small computer devices.
The organically dyed solar cells in van Aubel's Current Window generate electricity from the sun – a process derived from photosynthesis, which plants use to convert sunlight into energy. Sunlight is collected within the orange, blue and pink dye sensitized solar cells, which are arranged in a tessellating zig-zag pattern created by van Aubel and London-based graphic designer Marine Duroselle.
The light-absorbing dyes cover tiny particles of titanium dioxide that convert the energy into electrical current. Stripes run through the colored design like the veins of a plant, a reference to the electrical current that passes through the window.
The cells are sandwiched between two panes of toughened glass and connected to a battery contained within a frame featuring USB charging points.
"The coloured pieces of glass are generating electricity from daylight, and can even harness diffused sunlight." "Similarly to the various shades of green chlorophyll absorbing light, the coloured window panes harness energy — just like photosynthesis in plants," she continued. Each window can harvest up to 25 watts per day, depending on the quality of light and season. A back-up battery hidden in the windowsill stores left over energy to provide power on overcast days.
