Articles tagged with Solar Energy
The MIT Energy Initiative has partnered with Eni to develop novel photovoltaic materials and design solar power plants. The five-year collaboration will focus on six areas of research, including nano-structured thin film photovoltaics and water splitting.
The four-year project aims to make thin-film light absorbing cells for solar panels from sustainable and affordable materials, reducing costs by one millionth of a metre. Researchers will experiment with low-cost materials and nanotechnology to capture increased amounts of energy from the sun's rays.
Researchers at University of Copenhagen have discovered a new material that can convert up to 30% of solar energy into electricity, twice the current conversion rate. The use of nanotechnology reduces production costs and minimizes energy loss in solar cell transportation.
Researchers uncover the mechanism of photoprotection in plants, enabling them to convert excess light energy into harmless heat. This discovery could lead to more resilient crops and improved solar energy technology.
Leading experts in organic solar cells have expressed concern over the field's reputation being damaged by reports of unrealistic results. The experts call for independent verification and accurate reporting to ensure the success of OSCs.
Researchers are exploring nanoscale materials to mimic the architecture of grass and photosynthesis for efficient solar energy production. Tiny nanoparticles can be embedded in everyday products like house paint and roof tiles to create sustainable solar cells.
Researchers at Durham University are developing light-absorbing materials for thin-layer solar photovoltaic (PV) cells to convert light energy into electricity. The goal is to make solar panels more affordable and increase the use of solar power.
A University of Delaware-led team achieved a record-breaking combined solar cell efficiency of 42.8 percent from sunlight, surpassing the current record of 40.7 percent. The innovative technology incorporates spectral splitting optics with high-performance crystalline silicon solar cells.
A team of Yale chemists is working on converting sunlight into chemical fuels with the goal of increasing the nation's energy supply. They are part of a $12.8 million initiative funded by the US Department of Energy to develop efficient photocatalytic cells for water cleavage with visible-light power.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory explore opportunities to increase solar energy conversion as an alternative to fossil fuels, with potential applications in electricity, fuel, and heat generation. Key findings include advancements in materials science, artificial photosynthesis, and thermoelectric materials that could enhance...
Arizona State University has received a $1.1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to develop innovative nanotechnology solutions for solar energy. The team aims to create tiny devices that can harness light energy more efficiently and convert it into electricity.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in improving the efficiency of solar cells, including plastic solar cells with efficiencies up to 15% and ultrathin dye-sensitized solar cells reaching 11%. Carbon nanotubes could also boost efficiency by doubling photoconversion rates.
A new process makes HMF from fructose, a compound used to make plastics, diesel-fuel additives, and diesel fuel. The method also offers environmental benefits by using carbon dioxide and modern solar energy that crop plants absorb.
The ESF task force identifies three research avenues to generate clean fuels from solar radiation: extending photovoltaic technology, constructing biomimetic devices, and tuning natural systems. These efforts aim to develop sustainable energy supply, reduce human ecological footprint, and mitigate climate change.
Rutgers-Newark Chemistry Professor Elena Galoppini and her team have received a $1.3 million NSF grant to develop new solar cells that harness organic materials and nanoparticles. The research aims to create more efficient methods of converting sunlight into electricity.
Researchers at Imperial College London suggest that photovoltaics could match and exceed current nuclear output by 2023, with potential to produce 12 gigawatts of electricity. The UK's decision to halt solar panel installations is attributed to a pro-nuclear bias in scientific and government establishments.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have developed dual nanocrystal solar cells that are as cheap and easy to make as organic polymer-based solar cells. The new devices, comprising cadmium-selenide and cadmium-telluride, offer improved stability in air due to the absence of organic materials.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a new type of solar cell made from plastic that is cheaper to produce than traditional silicon-based cells. The cell has an efficiency rating of 4.4% and aims to reach 15-20% efficiency in the future.
A team of scientists from New Mexico State University and Wake Forest University has achieved a 5.2% solar energy efficiency level in organic solar cells, a significant improvement over previous attempts. This breakthrough could lead to the development of cheaper, flexible plastic-based solar panels within four to five years.
The report identifies key areas of focus for improving solar energy technologies, including artificial molecular machines, smart materials, and nanotechnology-based solar cells. It also highlights the importance of basic research in addressing the nation's energy security needs.
The ARC solar thermal building product significantly reduces energy consumption, saving Canadian homeowners up to 48% on their heating bills. By combining SIPS technology with solar panels, the product achieves impressive energy savings and contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a new approach to creating lightweight organic solar cells using pentacene, converting sunlight into electricity with high efficiency. The cells' flexibility and minimal weight make them suitable for powering various devices, from RFID tags to electronic devices.
A new energy source harnessing solar power could revolutionize the way we generate electricity, offering a cheap, clean, and abundant alternative to traditional fossil fuels. The technology uses special titanium oxide ceramics to split water into hydrogen fuel, producing only oxygen and water as by-products.
Researchers have developed a new method to enhance the conductivity of polymer nanowires by injecting extra negative or positive charges using high-energy electrons. This allows for the observation of charge movement across the wire, a key step toward developing good conductors.
Researchers use climate models to analyze past solar energy changes and test regional climate predictions under global warming scenarios. The study reveals smaller background trends in solar energy are in better agreement with long-term climate records, providing insights into Earth's changing climate.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a new method for forming organic photovoltaic films, increasing efficiency by 50 percent. The new material is ultra-thin, flexible, and can be manufactured through printing or spraying, making it suitable for large surfaces.
Researchers recommend massive investment in alternative energy sources, including solar and wind power, to meet growing world demand. The study highlights the need for political will, targeted research and development, and international cooperation to mitigate climate change.
Researchers have developed nanoparticles that can absorb all visible light but reject invisible light, increasing the efficiency of solar cells. This technology has the potential to make solar energy dirt cheap to produce and competitive with fossil fuels.
Scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center presented new findings on lower dust absorption of sunlight, Arctic stratospheric temperature control and the impact of a large solar proton event on the atmosphere. The studies aim to improve climate modeling and understanding of climate change.
The NTUA is installing 200 photovoltaic systems at private residences in remote areas, serving a single home each. The systems provide clean and quiet power for households with limited or no electricity, improving living standards.
Researchers have directly observed magnetic field line shrinkage or reconnection outflow during solar flares, resolving a long-standing mystery. The discovery sheds light on the behavior of magnetic fields in solar flares and their impact on space weather.
Scientists have discovered a new mechanism for coronal mass ejections, which are large-scale eruptions on the Sun that can cause geomagnetic storms and disrupt power generation. Shock waves generated by solar flares in other regions of the sun can cause these eruptions, contrary to previous thought.
Czanderna's work focuses on improving photovoltaic efficiency and lifespan, with a goal of making solar energy comparable to fossil fuels. His research led to the development of an insulating material that promises to last at least six times longer.
Researchers have discovered a way to harness nature's own tool, photosynthesis, to produce hydrogen gas from sunlight and water, offering a promising alternative fuel source.
A new theory suggests that solar eruptions originate below the Sun's visible surface, rather than in its outer atmosphere. The proposed 'solar flux rope' model could improve forecasting and preparation for electrical disruptions on Earth.
The Williams College research team observed a two-and-a-half-minute period of totality in a clear sky, collecting fabulous scientific data that will keep researchers busy for years. The experiments focused on understanding the corona's temperature and magnetic field, which can reach temperatures of up to four million degrees Celsius.
The Ninth Sede Boker Symposium on Solar Electricity Production will focus on ground-breaking work in solar power generation from around the world. Experts will share knowledge and problem-solving techniques with Arab and Israeli users of a large photovoltaic system designed for agricultural communities.
Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory are exploring quantum-based phenomena to enhance computer microchips and other electronic devices. They aim to develop tiny, efficient semiconductors using quantum dots, which could lead to quantum computing and improved light-emitting applications.
Decentralized energy technologies, such as solar and wind power, are being implemented in developing countries to address electricity shortages. The symposium aims to discuss recent developments and barriers to the wider adoption of renewable energy sources.
Scientists plan to use stereo imaging to analyze the three-dimensional structures of the Sun's corona, which can help predict explosive events like coronal mass ejections and solar flares.
A solar flare on July 9, 1996, generated a massive seismic wave that resembles those created by terrestrial earthquakes. The seismic wave contained about 40,000 times the energy released in the San Francisco earthquake of 1906.
Researchers at Arizona State University have created a cell-like machine that captures light energy and converts it into a usable form, duplicating biological photosynthesis. This breakthrough technology has the potential to power artificial biological systems and could lead to innovations in computing, drug development, and other fields.
Scientists Harry van Loon and Karin Labitzke found a mirror image of the solar-stratosphere correlation in the Southern Hemisphere, spanning three solar cycles. The analysis suggests that the sun's 11-year solar cycle drives periodic changes in temperatures and pressure heights of the lower stratosphere from pole to pole.
A University of Colorado at Boulder research team found that Earth is alternately peppered by extremely high-energy electrons from the sun and Jupiter. These 'killer electrons' are accelerated to energies thousands of times higher than usual near Earth, posing a threat to spacecraft and satellites.
Researchers at Georgia Tech are using the university's rooftop solar system to study the performance and reliability of solar power systems. The system has operated close to expectations, producing 162.2 megawatt hours of electricity in its first seven-month period, but factors such as weather conditions have affected energy output.