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05 June 2019 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Leonie Bolleurs
Lucas Erasmus and Prof Hendrik Swart
Lucas Erasmus and Prof Hendrik Swart (right) are working on a joint project with Ghent University to find an attractive solution to address the energy demands of buildings, electric motor vehicles, and mobile electronics.

With a constant increase in the price of electricity, any innovation to replace this necessity in our daily lives is welcome. 

The University of the Free State (UFS), whose vision is supported by an element of innovation, welcomes the recent agreement between its Department of Physics and Ghent University.

Attractive solution


Not only will this research – which aims to develop the materials necessary for transparent solar panels – enlarge the international research footprint of the UFS, but it is also an attractive solution to address the energy demands of buildings, electric motor vehicles, and mobile electronics without affecting their appearance.

According to Prof Hendrik Swart, from the UFS Department of Physics, the agreement between the two universities entails a joint doctoral degree in which both universities will supervise the project and the awarding of the doctorate. The student, Lucas Erasmus, will conduct research at both institutions.

Transparent solar panel

The idea with the research is to develop glass that is transparent to visible light, just like the glass you find in the windows of buildings, motor vehicles, and mobile electronic devices. However, by incorporating the right phosphor materials inside the glass, the light from the sun that is invisible to the human eye (ultraviolet and infrared light) can be collected, converted, and concentrated to the sides of the glass panel where solar panels can be mounted. This invisible light can then be used to generate electricity to power these buildings, vehicles, and electronic devices. The invention is therefore a type of transparent solar panel.

Implemented in cellphone screens

This technology can be implemented in the building environment to meet the energy demands of the people inside the buildings. 

The technology is also good news for the 4,7 billion cellphone users in the world, as it can be implemented in the screens of cellphones, where the sun or the ambient light of a room can be used to power the device without affecting its appearance. 

Another possible application is in electric cars, where the windows can be used to help power the vehicle.

Low-income housing

Erasmus added: “We are also looking at implementing this idea into hard, durable plastics that can act as a replacement for zinc roofs.” 

“This will allow visible light to enter housing, and the invisible light can then be used to generate electricity. The device also concentrates the light from a large area to the small area on the sides where the solar panels are placed; therefore, reducing the number of solar panels needed and, in return, reducing the cost.”

The technology will take about a decade to implement.

“This study is currently ongoing, and we are experimenting and testing different materials in order to optimise the device in the laboratory. After this, it needs to be upscaled in order to test it in the field. It is truly the technology of the future,” said Erasmus.

Video: Barend Nagel

News Archive

UFS Alumni Honours three former Students
2006-02-21

Three alumni of the University of the Free State will be awarded the prestigious Kovsie Alumni awards, presented to UFS Alumni annually, on the 10th of March at a Gala Awards Banquet. Alumni of the UFS have chosen Naka Drotské as Kovsie Alumnus for 2005. Harold Verster will receive the Kovsie Alumni Cum Laude Award and Prof Johan Henning, Dean of the Faculty of Law, will receive the Kovsie Alumni National Management Award. These prestigious accolades are awarded annually to honour alumni of the UFS for their exceptional achievements and contribution to the UFS.

Naka Drotské has been chosen as Kovsie Alumnus of the Year for the professional manner in which he led the Cheetah rugby team, which played a determining role in the team’s 2005 Currie Cup victory. The Cum Laude Award is made from time to time to any alumnus for outstanding service or achievement at local, national or international level in his/her specific career domain. Verster receives the Award for his role in the inclusion of the Vodacom Cheetahs as Super 14 team, as well as for his leadership that contributed to the success of the Cheetah rugby team in 2005. The Kovsie Alumni National Management Award for Exceptional Service to the UFS is made from time to time to an individual who has rendered exceptional service to the University. Prof Henning will receive this award for his role in the expansion and development of the Faculty of Law as academic, centre head, department head and, especially, as Dean.

Any Kovsie Alumnus is welcome to attend the Kovsie Alumni Gala Award Banquet that will be held in the Reitz Hall of the UFS Centenary complex. Matthys Roets will be the guest artist at the function and the cost of R80 per head includes a three course meal. If you are interested in attending the banquet, contact Jeannette Boshoff-Jansen at 051-401-3594 or alumni@mail.uovs.ac.za

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