Moth eyes are covered in tapered nanostructures

Photovoltaics, which convert sunlight into electricity, have long been touted as one of the most promising solutions to our energy needs. Unfortunately, today’s devices reflect a lot of solar energy as heat, which means that solar power is currently not as cheap as other forms of energy. Now, however, researchers in the Netherlands have developed an anti-reflective coating based on the nanostructure of a moth’s eyes, which could reduce the reflection from photovoltaic cells and thereby make them more efficient.

Jaime Gomez Rivas and colleagues at the Philips Research Laboratories in Eindhoven say that their “moth-eye” technology is superior to other known anti-reflection measures. Additionally, they have developed a new eco-friendly production technique that can apply the coating with high precision.

More information is at Moth eyes inspire more efficient solar cell (free subscription may be required).