The first designs of the new ruthenium-based dye-sensitised solar cells are currently being rolled out to great fanfare, the New York Times reports.

Taking their energy from a variety of sources of light, the cells are being used to power devices ranging from e-book readers to mobile phones.

In addition, they will also be included in several types of bag - such as golf, tennis, cycling or even shopping - with battery chargers that can be connected via a USB cable.

According to Michael Gratzel, a professor at the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne in Switzerland, the cells will achieve their best results with direct exposure to sunlight.

Mr Gratzel, who has been involved in the development of the technology since its inception, also noted that they will perform well indoors, even in dimmed or ambient lighting.

"We've even had a case where we have generated voltage from moonlight," Marc Thomas, Chief Executive of North American operations at Dyesol, which provides the dye, titanium pastes and electrolytes for the technology, also told the newspaper.

The first examples are being launched by Mascotte Industrial Associates, a Hong Kong-based company which is already selling a messenger bag through its Tonino Lamborghini brand.

Full charging from the 11-cell solar panels included on the bags is likely to take between six and eight sunny hours outside, according to the publication.

Ruthenium is an ideal choice for dye-sensitised solar cells at some of its complexes are capable of absorbing light throughout the visible spectrum.

Source:

Recharging Your Cellphone, Mother Nature’s Way (30/01/10)

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