FURI | Spring 2026

Perovskite Thin Film Solar Cell Performance on Shape Metal Alloy Substrates

Perovskites (PVSKs) are low-cost, sustainable, and efficient materials for solar cells. By coating PVSKs onto nickel-titanium shape memory alloy (SMA) substrates, photovoltaic systems for space exploration can be optimized for low weight, deformation recovery, and high power conversion efficiency. This work compares the performance of PVSKs coated on glass and SMA substrates when under simultaneous stress from light and heat. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows that SMA-based samples consistently form high-quality PVSK films comparable to their glass counterparts. Results show that SMA-based PVSK solar cells are well-suited for space environments and applications, enabling high efficiency systems through lightweight, low-cost technologies.