https://phys.org/news/2018-08-zapping-approach-solar-cells.html > Sheets and flakes of this few-layer phosphorus, just a few billionths of a metre thick, could improve the efficiency of certain types of photovoltaic cells, the research team led by Professor Joseph Shapter claim. > Solar cells based on carbon nanotubes and silicon are promising as a cheaper and easier-to-manufacture alternative to crystalline silicon cells. However one challenge with these new solar cells is boosting the efficiency they convert sunlight into electricity.