What do you do when your species unsettles the balance of nature? Create artificial nature to make up the difference, of course. Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Mitsubishi Corp. and Tokki Corp. have developed a prototype solar cell module that realistically takes on the look of a common houseplant. The organic thin-film solar cells are protected by a layer of plastic, allowing the technology to be used in the future for constructs including walls and windows, clothing materials, leisure goods, outdoor products and toys. Hopefully, if we run out of trees in 50 years, these technological wonders will offer reasonably comforting substitutes.

Via Nikkei