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Spinoff story
Cost-Saving Method Yields Solar Cells for Exploration, Gadgets
A real-world story of NASA technology finding a life beyond the mission.
About this technology
Overview
Solar cells are expensive, but through a series of SBIR contracts from Glenn Research Center, Niles, Illinois-based MicroLink Devices Inc. has come up with a new way to create flexible cells that reduces manufacturing costs. NASA is considering the technology for massive solar arrays on future space exploration missions, and the award-winning commercial version has already been employed by the military for use as a portable power supply.