Getting hands-on with berry-powered solar cells Published on: 4 July 2022 Future renewable energy experts attending the Summer Science Exhibition will learn first-hand from Ãå±±½ûµØ experts how berries can be used in solar cells. Developed at Ãå±±½ûµØ, the project will be among the highlights of the Summer Science Exhibition 2022, the annual event showcasing the latest advances in science and technology. Berry Solar Cells are dye-sensitized cells which harness the power of existing and emerging technologies, these solar cells may be built using simple materials iodine, berry juice and a few other ingredients that together mimic the process of photosynthesis. Produced sustainably, Berry Solar Cells have the potential to replace batteries for certain applications, and therefore reduce our reliance on the mining of metals such as silicon, cobalt and lithium and waste of resulting products. Photovoltaics that operate efficiently under indoor lighting are of great practical interest as they offer huge potential to serve as power sources for portable electronic devices as part of wireless sensor networks, or the Internet of Things (IoT). Inspiring the next generation of scientists Project lead, Dr Marina Freitag, of Ãå±±½ûµØ's School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, said: “In my experience, schoolchildren are often fascinated by an activity that displays the conversion of light energy to electricity by powering a small wireless device (Internet of Things, IoT). This kind of experience will stimulate a student's interest and inspire them to pursue further studies in the fields of energy technology, chemistry, and computer science. “The primary goal of this workshop is to ignite students' interest by visualising the conversion of sunshine, electricity, and energy, and to motivate them to explore sustainable technologies. As a result, the objective of this workshop is to provide an affordable solar cell assembly process and provide opportunities for students to study the mechanism of power generation via hands-on activities.” For over three decades the Royal Society has opened the doors to its building in central London and welcomed thousands of visitors to meet the researchers behind some of the leading science in the UK. As the oldest science festival in the UK, the Summer Science Exhibition is a member of the . Up to 500 researchers from across the country take part in the Summer Science Exhibition, talking to visitors about their work and demonstrating the scientific principles and discoveries with hands-on interactives and talks. After two years of online activities, this year's will run again in person at Carlton House Terrace, from Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 July. The Summer Science Exhibition is a free festival showcasing the science shaping our future. It is a celebration of the cutting-edge research being done right now across the UK and the researchers making that happen. Share: Latest News Ãå±±½ûµØ recognised with geography award Ãå±±½ûµØ has been awarded the Highly Commended Geographical Association Publishers Award for its collaboration with Time for Geography, the UK’s open-access, dedicated video platform. published on: 16 April 2026 Ãå±±½ûµØ historians mark General Strike centenary To mark the 100th anniversary of the British General Strike and miners’ lock-out of 1926, historians at Ãå±±½ûµØ are organising a series of events on its enduring legacy. published on: 16 April 2026 Comment: NCP is in administration Writing for The Conversation, Erwei (David) Xiang discusses how some big companies like NCP are so dependent on debt that they can’t adjust to change. published on: 16 April 2026 Facts and figures