Researchers developed a durable perovskite solar cell capable of generating electricity for over 1,000 continuous hours with an efficiency of more than 20%. The team improved durability by creating a water-repellent interface between the electron and hole transport layers.
SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 5, 2022
A University of Houston professor has developed a nonreciprocal solar energy harvesting system that surpasses the thermodynamic limit and clears the way to use solar power 24/7. The new system can achieve significant efficiency boosts, paving the way for practical applications in power plants.
SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalPhysical Review Applied·DateOct 3, 2022
Researchers have developed a new type of low-cost selenium solar cell using tellurium alloy, which improves efficiency by expanding the absorption spectrum. The Se-1-x Te-x alloy system has shown promise in achieving high performance, with efficiencies over 1.85% achieved after nine months in air.
SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Optoelectronics·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 27, 2022
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.
Researchers at KAUST have discovered that the energy level alignment between donor and acceptor components in organic solar cells is crucial for device performance. Contrary to current belief, blends with little to no difference in one energy level metric were found to be poor performers.
SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateSep 13, 2022
A team of engineers and doctors at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities have designed a unique 3D-printed light-sensing medical device that correlates light exposure with disease flare-ups in people with lupus. The device provides real-time feedback to help determine what causes symptoms.
SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalAdvanced Science·DateSep 8, 2022
Scientists at Linköping University have made a breakthrough in developing stable high-efficiency perovskite solar cells. They created an ion-modulated radical doping method for Spiro-OMeTAD, which eliminates the trade-off between efficiency and stability.
SourceLinköping University·JournalScience·DateSep 6, 2022
KAUST researchers created a more efficient solar-cell module by redesigning its optical design, reducing power conversion efficiency loss in real-world applications. The new module achieved an efficiency increase from 25.7% to 26.2% due to refractive-index engineering.
SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalACS Energy Letters·DateAug 22, 2022
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.
Researchers built a two-stage warning system predicting solar flares within 48 hours via k-means clustering and neural networks. The model improved recall while increasing precision, but lost some positive sample information, affecting prediction accuracy.
SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalSpace Science & Technology·DateAug 19, 2022
Researchers developed a technology to overcome pore formation defects in CZTS thin-film solar cells, increasing power conversion efficiency. By changing metal deposition order, they suppressed large pores and improved the overall performance of eco-friendly solar cells.
SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateAug 11, 2022
A new study found that gout patients who suffered from a heart attack or stroke were twice as likely to have had a gout flare in the 60 days prior to the event. Gout flares are also associated with a transient increase in cardiovascular events, particularly among those with pre-existing heart disease.
SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalJAMA·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 2, 2022
Researchers at Tohoku University have successfully fabricated highly transparent solar cells using a 2D atomic sheet. The solar cells achieved an average transparency of 79%, making them suitable for placement in various locations, including windows and human skin.
SourceTohoku University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 19, 2022
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a way to manufacture highly efficient and semitransparent organic solar cells using a peel-off patterning technique. The technology has achieved record efficiencies of 10% and is suitable for use in commercial windows with a transparency nearing 50%.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
Scientists at KIT create a prototype for fully scalable all-perovskite tandem solar modules with an efficiency of up to 19.1 percent, enabling commercial viability through optimized light paths and established industrial coating methods.
SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalNature Energy·DateJul 14, 2022
A team of scientists from A*STAR and NTU Singapore have developed technology to transform expired solar cells into enhanced thermoelectric material, which harvests heat and converts it into electricity. The technology achieved a record-high thermoelectric figure of merit of 0.45 at 873 K.
SourceAgency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 29, 2022
The study achieved an efficiency of nearly 25 percent, surpassing previous values, by combining perovskites with CIS. The hybrid material enables the production of light and flexible tandem solar cells suitable for various applications.
SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalACS Energy Letters·DateJun 27, 2022
Scientists from the University of Surrey have created a method for producing high-quality, low-cost solar cell building blocks using perovskite ink. This breakthrough could pave the way for widespread adoption of perovskite-based solar panels, which are more efficient and lighter than traditional silicon cells.
SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 27, 2022
Researchers combine power conversion and storage capacity into a single device, overcoming previous inefficiencies and costs. The new technology uses six types of photo-enhanced rechargeable metal batteries, offering efficient and scalable solutions for solar energy storage.
SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalNano Research Energy·DateJun 24, 2022
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.
Researchers at KIST have developed a new polymer additive material to prevent aggregation in photoactive layers of large-area organic solar cells, improving performance and stability. The technology achieves a 14.7% module efficiency, a 23.5% increase compared to conventional systems.
SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalNano Energy·DateJun 21, 2022
Researchers at New Jersey Institute of Technology have identified the precise location where solar flares accelerate particles to near-light speed. The discovery sheds light on fundamental processes of particle acceleration in the universe, offering new insights into space weather events.
SourceNew Jersey Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateJun 8, 2022
African Americans with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are more likely to experience flare-ups due to inadequate sleep, which may boost their risk by up to 95%. The study, published on June 6, 2022, suggests that poor sleep quality may partially explain why African American patients tend to fare worse than white patients. ...
SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalSLEEP·DateJun 6, 2022
Researchers developed a hot-carrier multijunction solar cell that maintains high conversion efficiency with nonoptimal materials, expanding the scope of candidate designs. The novel architecture showed superior resilience to design imperfections, widening the range of suitable materials and operating conditions.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Photonics for Energy·DateJun 1, 2022
A new technique has been developed to upscale the production of perovskite solar cells, facilitating their commercialization. The self-assembled monolayer process enables large-area coating and promotes efficient device performance by eliminating interfacial voids.
SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalNano Research Energy·DateMay 31, 2022
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.
Researchers at NREL developed a triple-junction solar cell with unprecedented performance, reaching 39.5% efficiency under 1-sun global illumination. The new design uses quantum wells to modify solar properties and has a simpler structure for various applications.
SourceDOE/National Renewable Energy Laboratory·JournalJoule·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 24, 2022
Researchers at Linköping University have identified the key to minimizing energy losses in organic solar cells. By studying the energy level alignment at donor/acceptor interfaces, they discovered a systematic mapping that points to new ways forward for developing more efficient and sustainable solar cell materials.
SourceLinköping University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 17, 2022
The research team created a three-dimensional vertical solar panel system using advanced optical materials, fibers, and organic solar cells. This design significantly improves the efficiency of existing solar panels, enabling them to generate power for longer periods and in various environments.
SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·DateMay 16, 2022
A research team from City University of Hong Kong and Imperial College London developed a new strategy for highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells using ferrocene molecules. The breakthrough invention can achieve efficiency of up to 25% while maintaining stability, making it a promising alternative to silicon solar cells.
SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 21, 2022
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have successfully converted solar energy into electricity using a thermoelectric generator. The new technology can store solar energy for up to 18 years and release it when needed, making it a promising solution for renewable energy production.
SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 11, 2022
Researchers propose a novel pathway to realizing hot carrier solar cells, which can exceed the typical efficiency limit on solar cells. The approach involves isolating hot carriers within higher energy valleys in semiconductors, reducing energy loss to heat.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Photonics for Energy·DateApr 5, 2022
Researchers have developed a new approach to fabricate ultrathin solar cells using disorder-engineered AgBiS2 nanocrystals, achieving absorption coefficients up to 5-10 times greater than existing materials. This breakthrough enables the creation of high-efficiency, low-cost, and lightweight solar cells.
SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalNature Photonics·DateFeb 14, 2022
Pusan National University researchers demonstrate the effectiveness of integrating a radiative cooler with a multi-junction solar cell, achieving a 6°C temperature drop and a 2% increase in open-circuit voltage. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and eco-friendly solar cells, paving the way for renewable energy sources.
SourcePusan National University·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2022
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.
Astronomers at Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics offer a new explanation for mysterious downflows in solar flares, which are not generated by magnetic reconnection. Instead, they form from the interaction of two fluids with different densities, resulting in 'dark finger-like voids'.
SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJan 27, 2022
The NUS research team achieved a power conversion efficiency of 23.6% in their perovskite/organic tandem solar cells, approaching that of conventional silicon solar cells. This breakthrough paves the way for flexible, light-weight, and low-cost photovoltaic cells suitable for various applications.
SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalNature Energy·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 20, 2022
Scientists have discovered a new type of wave that replaces electromagnetic waves called whistler waves in the solar wind, allowing for better understanding of energy flow near the sun. This discovery can help predict 'space weather' events that affect satellites and astronauts in space.
SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeObservational study·DateJan 14, 2022
KTU researchers have developed new materials that significantly improve the stability and efficiency of perovskite solar cells. The new materials use a passivation method to prevent degradation, achieving an efficiency of 21.4% in record-breaking solar modules.
SourceKaunas University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 11, 2022
A new rapid thermal evaporation method was developed to deposit high-quality CdSe thin films, enabling the creation of efficient CdSe solar cells. The study achieved an efficiency of 1.88% in a Si-based tandem configuration, demonstrating potential for high-performance solar cells.
SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Optoelectronics·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 10, 2022
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.
Researchers have developed a compact solar-powered battery that can be directly recharged with solar energy, reducing dependence on fossil fuels. The battery uses a heterostructure electrode made from molybdenum disulphide and oxide, which enhances surface area for efficient absorption of solar energy.
SourceTata Institute of Fundamental Research·JournalSmall·DateDec 23, 2021
Researchers at TalTech in Estonia have developed monograin layer solar cell technology that can be used to generate electricity on the Moon. The technology uses pyrite, a mineral found in lunar regolith, and has the potential to provide sustainable power for future lunar outposts.
SourceEstonian Research Council·TypeNews article·DateDec 17, 2021
Researchers developed a new process to produce stable formamidinium perovskite (FAPbI3) materials, which can be used to make more efficient and stable solar cells. The novel approach uses lower temperatures and eliminates additives, making it suitable for large-scale production and flexible solar cell applications.
SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateDec 15, 2021
Parker Solar Probe successfully flew through the Sun's corona, sampling particles and magnetic fields, revealing critical information about the Sun's evolution and impact on solar system. The probe made new discoveries, including identifying the origin of switchbacks in the solar wind, which form near the solar surface.
SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 14, 2021
GoPro HERO13 Black
GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.
The Solar Jet Hunter project, led by researchers at the University of Minnesota and supported by NASA, allows volunteers to identify solar jets in images captured over 11 years. By annotating images, citizen scientists contribute to a database that helps narrow down data on the Sun for further review.
SourceUniversity of Minnesota·TypeObservational study·DateDec 8, 2021
Researchers at Northern Illinois University and NREL have developed a cost-effective Scotch-tape-like film that captures 99.9% of leaked lead from damaged perovskite solar cells. The film alleviates health and safety concerns without compromising performance or operation.
SourceNorthern Illinois University·JournalNature Sustainability·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 30, 2021
Researchers at Linköping University and Soochow University have developed a method to produce energy-efficient organic solar cells using green solvents, achieving a record efficiency of over 17%. The breakthrough enables the manufacture of larger areas of solar cells with high efficiency, paving the way for commercial-scale outdoor use.
SourceLinköping University·JournalNature Energy·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2021
A McMaster University-led study found that stress hormones suppress the innate immune system, which normally protects the gut from harmful bacteria like E. coli linked to Crohn's disease. Removing stress hormones restored proper function to immune cells and epithelial cells, blocking invasion of microbes.
SourceMcMaster University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 18, 2021
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.
Researchers at NTNU have developed a method for making ultra-high material efficient solar cells using semiconductor nanowires, which could potentially double the efficiency of today's Si solar cells. The new technique uses gallium arsenide (GaAs) material in a very effective way through nanostructuring.
SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalACS Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 5, 2021
A new study by Boston Children's Hospital researchers found that tissue-resident memory T cells in joints anchor themselves after a flare and wait for another trigger to react. Deleting these cells prevents arthritis flares from occurring, opening up new therapeutic avenues for rheumatoid arthritis treatment.
SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalCell Reports·DateNov 3, 2021
Researchers develop a more accurate mathematical model to predict solar cell output power, considering degradation and external factors. The new model will aid policymakers in making informed decisions on solar power installations.
SourceShoolini University·JournalSolar Energy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 28, 2021
Deploying honeybees on solar parks in the UK could raise crop yields and financial returns, with soft fruits and oilseed benefiting the most. The study found that prioritizing these crops within a 1.5km honeybee foraging radius around solar parks could boost values by £80 million annually.
SourceLancaster University·JournalBiological Conservation·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 18, 2021
Researchers have discovered a way to significantly increase the efficiency of solar cells by harnessing excess energy and storing it before it's lost as heat. This breakthrough could raise the industry standard limit from 30% to over 60%, addressing one of the major challenges in commercial solar cells.
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.
Large-scale solar farms have a cooling effect on surrounding land, reducing temperature by up to 2.3°C at 100m away from the park boundaries. The study highlights the need for consideration in solar park design and location to minimize negative impacts.
SourceLancaster University·JournalRenewable and Sustainable Energy Transition·TypeObservational study·DateOct 5, 2021
A team of researchers identified a key mechanism responsible for lower organic solar cell efficiencies and demonstrated a way to overcome this hurdle. By manipulating molecules inside the solar cell, they prevented a process called recombination that leads to lost current, potentially achieving efficiencies comparable to silicon-based ...
SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature·DateSep 30, 2021
A team of researchers from the University of Cambridge has identified a key loss pathway in organic solar cells that reduces their efficiency. By manipulating molecules inside the solar cell, they found a way to suppress this pathway and potentially overcome the hurdle for organic solar cells to compete with silicon-based cells.
SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 29, 2021
Astronomers observe a tidal disruption event caused by an intermediate-mass black hole consuming a star, providing the first measurements of its mass and spin. The findings shed light on the elusive category of intermediate black holes, which may account for most black holes in galaxy centers.
SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 27, 2021
Researchers developed a new system that can detect silicon solar panel defects even in full sunlight, making it easier to keep solar panels working optimally. The system uses a unique combination of hardware and software to image and analyze defects quickly and accurately, regardless of lighting conditions.
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.
Researchers synthesized a new conjugated polymer using two chemical reactions, showing it outperforms traditional methods in organic and perovskite solar cells. The Stille reaction pathway yielded superior results with efficiencies of up to 15.1% in photovoltaic devices.
SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalMacromolecular Chemistry and Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 15, 2021
Scientists at Empa have pushed flexible solar cell efficiency to a new limit, achieving 21.4% conversion rate. The study's findings also show that the technology remains stable after exposure to combined heat and illumination.
SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)·DateSep 7, 2021
Researchers have developed a new structure and materials for tandem solar cells, enabling more light to be captured and energy converted effectively. The n-i-p configuration achieved a significant improvement in power-conversion efficiency, exceeding 27%, surpassing previous best values.
SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 22, 2021
Researchers created a new sun clock to study the solar seasons. The study reveals that the switch from solar maximum to declining phase is fast, occurring within a few solar rotations. This discovery helps predict space weather events, such as violent activity on our Sun leading to extreme events on Earth.
SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateAug 17, 2021
Scientists have developed a novel technique to analyze magnetites in meteorites, providing a historical record of the early Solar System's dynamics. By studying the Tagish Lake meteorite, researchers infer that the parent body formed in the Kuiper Belt and moved to the asteroid belt after Jupiter's formation.
SourceHokkaido University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2021
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.
The Big Bear Solar Observatory will become home to NSF's Synoptic Optical Long-term Investigations of the Sun (SOLIS) telescope, enabling researchers to study long-term changes in the Sun's activity and its impact on Earth. SOLIS will provide comprehensive observations of the Sun's magnetic fields, solar flares, and space weather events.
SourceNew Jersey Institute of Technology·TypeNews article·DateJul 27, 2021
Researchers have developed a new method to capture and recycle lead from perovskite solar cells, addressing the environmental and health hazards associated with their use. The transparent phosphate salt solution prevents lead ions from leaching into the soil, rendering perovskite devices safer for large-scale commercialization.
SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJul 15, 2021