A new type of solar cell could be developed based on microscopic “fractal trees” grown from silver.
The fractal silver structures are grown by a process of electrochemical reduction, and resemble densely-packed tree branches. This structure, as in real trees, maximises surface area and hence exposure to light. It is hoped that the silver structures, coated with light-absorbing polymers, could be the basis of more efficient solar cells.
Read more at University of California, Davis