With laser engraving on its surface, tellurite glass generates an electric current in response to ultraviolet light and visible light.
Scientists from the Tokyo Institute of Technology (Japan) and the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (Switzerland) have invented a type of glass that can produce electricity when exposed to light, opening up prospects for a new clean energy source in the long term.
A piece of femtosecond laser-engraved tellurite glass can generate electricity – (Photo: KYODO).
The research published in the journal Physical Review Applied (USA) details how scientists used a femtosecond laser—a laser that emits ultra-short light pulses—to engrave the surface of the glass and successfully generate an electric current.
Professor Yves Bellouard from the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and director of the Galatea Laboratory at this institute commented that this technology is “surprising and highly creative” because it can transform materials without the addition of any other substances.
According to this laser technology expert, an intern at the Galatea Laboratory, Goezden Torun, previously had experience using femtosecond lasers on various types of glass, including tellurite glass—an industrial material used for making optical fibers.
During the research process, Torun accidentally created a semiconductor crystal on the tellurite glass. With the laser engraving on the surface, tellurite glass generates an electric current in response to ultraviolet light and visible light.
Professor Tetsuo Kishi from the Tokyo Institute of Technology stated: “Glass is a passive material that merely allows light to pass through, but after using a femtosecond laser, this type of glass transforms into an active material capable of conducting electricity like a semiconductor.”
According to Professor Tetsuo Kishi, the research team can alter the shape of the glass, making it lighter and thinner by changing its composition to make this invention more useful and practical.
Despite the challenges that remain, researchers hope to one day develop windows coated with tellurite glass utilizing femtosecond laser technology.
Mr. Bellouard remarked: “This will create a clean energy source and subsequently reduce the demand for fossil fuels.”
