---
title: "Scientists Are Working on Spray-On Solar Panels"
description: "A team of researchers have created an AI that is able to come up with a recipe for \"perovskite\" that could one day be used to create spray-on solar cells."
date: "2019-12-17"
modified: "2019-12-17"
authors:
  - name: "Victor Tangermann"
    job_title: "Senior Editor"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/scientists-spray-on-solar-panels"
categories:
  - "Energy"
  - "Renewable Energy"
  - "Science & Energy"
  - "Solar Power"
tags:
  - "solar cells"
  - "solar panels"
  - "the digest"
---

# Scientists Are Working on Spray-On Solar Panels

![A team of researchers have created an AI that is able to come up with a recipe for "perovskite" that could one day be used to create spray-on solar cells.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/scientists-working-spray-on-solar-panels.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: Solliance\</em\>*

## Spray Tan

A team of researchers at the University of Central Florida say their new AI's work on a special liquid called "perovskite" could one day be used to create spray-on solar cells.

The so-called "perovskite solar cells" (PSCs) can turn sunlight into energy, just like regular silicon-based solar panels. Scientists came up with the idea [over a decade ago](<https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/ja809598r>) — but until now, they've struggled to come up with a cost- and energy-efficient recipe.

## Machine Learning

By feeding a machine learning algorithm hundreds of data points from peer-reviewed publications about perovskite, the system was able to predict which recipes would work best.

The team is hoping their machine learning technique will give the futuristic material the flexibility and efficiency it needs without breaking the bank. Their research was detailed in [a paper](<https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/aenm.201970181>) published in the journal *Advanced Energy Materials* last week.

## AI Solar

At present, more research is still needed.

"Our results demonstrate that machine learning tools can be used for crafting perovskite materials and investigating the physics behind developing highly efficient PSCs," lead author Jayan Thomas said in [a statement](<https://phys.org/news/2019-12-artificial-intelligence-scientists-spray-on-solar.html>).

**READ MORE:** [Artificial intelligence may help scientists make spray-on solar cells](<https://phys.org/news/2019-12-artificial-intelligence-scientists-spray-on-solar.html>) \[*University of Central Florida*\]

**More on solar cell:** *[This Solar Panel-Like Device Can Generate Electricity in the Dark](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/device-energy-dark-night>)*

## Author
I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida.

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/vtanger.bsky.social>)