Articles tagged with Photovoltaics
Dye-sensitised solar cells can perform more consistently in low-light conditions thanks to improved understanding of electrolyte additives. Researchers have found that certain molecules, such as 4-tert-butylpyridine and 1-methyl-benzimidazole, are crucial to suppressing recombination losses and maximizing efficiency.
Researchers develop a strategy to improve the photovoltaic performance of quasi-bilayer organic solar cells by dispersing donor components into the acceptor-dominant phase, achieving a champion PCE of 15.4%. The incorporation of donors improves charge transport balance and suppresses bimolecular recombination.
Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology developed ultrathin organic solar cells using inkjet printing, achieving a power conversion efficiency of 4.73 percent and paving the way for flexible, lightweight energy harvesting in various applications.
Researchers at Tohoku University have successfully grown large single crystals of tin monosulfide (SnS), a promising material for next-generation solar cells. The achievement marks a significant step towards developing SnS solar cells with high conversion efficiency and could accelerate their practical application.
A CU student collaborated with three research teams to study perovskite nanocrystals, which have numerous applications. The team discovered a phase transition that affects the material's optical properties and has relevance to applications already in use.
Researchers developed a semitransparent photovoltaic cell with high power conversion efficiency and visible transparency, opening possibilities for power-generating windows and solar energy applications. The study showcases the potential of organic photovoltaics in serving as color-neutral, transparent power sources.
Researchers at University of Michigan develop transparent organic solar cells with 8.1% efficiency and 43.3% transparency, ideal for buildings with glass facades. The new material balances sunlight absorption, voltage, current, resistance, and color-neutral transparency.
Computational experiments on semiconducting polymers show that adding small molecules enhances performance and stability; predicting improved solar cell materials for extreme operational stress-strain conditions. Researchers at Lehigh University used Frontera, the world's fastest academic supercomputer, to demonstrate this finding.
Researchers have observed a significant increase in the photothermoelectric effect in silicon nanoribbons, benefiting from optimization processes and multiphysics modeling. This breakthrough has potential applications for improving photoelectric conversion efficiency by harnessing hot carrier energy.
Researchers at the University of Arizona are developing a hybrid solar desalination system that combines membrane distillation, concentrated solar power, and photovoltaics to recover water from concentrated waste streams. The system uses renewable energy resources to purify concentrate streams with maximum efficiency.
A McGill research team developed a new technique to detect nano-sized imperfections in materials using atomic force microscopy and ultrafast nonlinear optical methods. This discovery will lead to improvements in optical detectors used in various technologies, including solar cells and cell phones.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed wedge-shaped luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) that can be hung on walls to capture and convert sunlight into electric power. The technology has shown promise in reducing energy needs for buildings, particularly in urban settings where roof space is limited.
Researchers developed a system using orange-tinted solar panels to generate electricity while growing crops like spinach and basil, increasing yields and nutritional content. The system offered financial protection from market fluctuations and climate risks, with significant benefits for farmers.
Researchers at Cornell University have found that photovoltaic wafers made from all-perovskite structures outperform traditional silicon-based solar panels. This breakthrough could lead to a more sustainable future for solar energy, with perovskite cells offering faster returns on investment and lower environmental impacts.
ETRI successfully developed eco-friendly color CIGS thin-film solar cells with high conversion efficiency and low material costs. The innovative technology features a Zn-based buffer layer, eliminating toxic cadmium, and enables flexible substrate applications.
Scientists at the University of Minnesota have successfully electrically transformed iron sulfide, or 'fool's gold', into a magnetic material. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of valuable new magnetic materials for more efficient computer memory devices.
The £6 million grant will advance organic and perovskite solar cells into new applications, including 5G, the Internet of Things, and zero-carbon buildings. The project aims to develop low-cost manufacturing methods and prototypes to showcase their potential in these areas.
Researchers at USTC developed a hydrothermal deposition method for synthesizing antimony selenosulfide, which enables the creation of compact and flat films with high efficiency and stability. The material's tunable band gap and high extinction coefficient make it suitable for light-weight and portable electricity generation devices.
A study by MIT researchers found that COVID-19 shutdowns resulted in an 8.3% increase in solar power output in Delhi, attributed to a 50% reduction in air pollution. This demonstrates the impact of reduced emissions on solar panel efficiency and provides valuable data for future models.
Researchers have successfully developed a method to 'upconvert' low energy light into visible light using oxygen, enabling it to be captured by solar cells. This breakthrough has the potential to increase the efficiency of solar cells and expand their sensitivity range.
Scientists have created next-generation solar modules with high efficiency and good stability using perovskite material. The breakthroughs address key issues such as scalability and durability, paving the way for commercialization.
Scientists developed a customizable smart window prototype that maximizes design across various criteria, balancing energy usage with lighting and temperature preferences. The approach uses comprehensive physical models and advanced computational techniques to optimize window designs for optimal energy efficiency.
Researchers at NTU Singapore have created a perovskite solar mini module with the highest power conversion efficiency, paving the way for market adoption. The use of thermal co-evaporation enables scalable production of large-area perovskite solar cells.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison created a highly efficient and long-lasting solar flow battery, achieving a record efficiency of 20%. The device combines silicon solar cells with advanced materials integrated with optimally designed chemical components.
Researchers have developed a highly efficient solar-flow battery that can store and redeliver renewable electricity from the sun. The device achieved a record efficiency of 20 percent conversion, outperforming previous records by 40%. This breakthrough could potentially yield a new way to harness, store and use the sun's energy for sol...
Perovskite solar cells have a love-hate relationship with sunlight, generating energy but also impairs stability and performance over time. Research reveals that charged particles in perovskites flow to areas with low band gap, causing clusters to form and limiting efficiency.
Researchers discovered a phase transition in quantum dot films, where conductivity increases when linker molecules replace long capping molecules. This breakthrough could lead to better solar panels and digital displays.
Researchers discovered ferroelastic twin domains in perovskite crystals that can influence electron movement. These structures, or 'electron highways,' could make perovskite solar cells more powerful and improve their efficiency.
Researchers used fixed effects regression techniques to analyze photovoltaic performance degradation over time. They found that newer projects have degraded at a slower rate than older ones, suggesting photovoltaics technology has improved over time.
Researchers developed an approach to wirelessly power implantable devices via a skin-worn light-emitting patch, which transfers photons to a photovoltaic device integrated with the implant. The method was successfully tested in mice, demonstrating its efficacy.
Perovskite solar cells, discovered almost 200 years ago, hold potential to undercut fossil fuels with lower manufacturing costs and improved efficiency. The discovery has sparked a new wave of research into improving the stability and commercial viability of these materials.
Scientists have developed a novel thin-film technology using bronze and brass alloys, which are composed of non-toxic earth-abundant materials. The new method allows for the creation of efficient CZTSSe solar cells with diverse applications, including electronic devices and vehicles.
Researchers found a 8% increase in sunlight reaching solar panels in Delhi due to reduced air pollution. The cleaner air allowed for more efficient energy production from solar panels.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method to kill breast cancer cells using light-activated molecules. By replacing a single oxygen atom with sulfur, the photosensitizers generate reactive oxygen species that destroy tumor cells.
Researchers have demonstrated a new type of flexible, recyclable electrode that could replace traditional transparent conductive oxides in creating low-cost solar cells, computer displays, smartphone touch screens, and smart windows. The electrodes boasted high transmittance, low sheet resistance, and outstanding flexural endurance.
Researchers developed a new precision spray-coating method to create multilayer perovskite solar cells with better performance and stability. The technique allows for customizable device designs, enabling specific performance and stability requirements.
Researchers found that double-sided solar panels combined with single-axis tracking technology are the most cost-effective solution, producing almost 35% more energy than traditional systems. This combination reduces electricity costs by an average of 16%.
Researchers at Aalto University have created an armour-plated superhydrophobic surface that can withstand sharp and blunt objects while maintaining its world-record effectiveness in repelling liquids. The surface features a honeycomb-like structure of tiny inverted pyramids, protecting the fragile chemical coating from damage.
Researchers developed a smart window technology that automatically changes color in response to sunlight intensity, reducing the need for power and lowering production costs. This technology can block sunlight and reduce cooling costs in buildings, making it suitable for large commercial buildings and automobiles.
A new 3D-printed system developed by Australian scientists can now analyze 16 sample perovskite-based solar cells simultaneously, significantly speeding up the testing process. The invention enables rapid evaluation of performance and commercial potential of new compounds, accelerating the development process for next-gen solar cells.
The NUS team created a low-cost, easy-to-fabricate shadow-effect energy generator (SEG) that converts illumination contrast from partial shadows into electricity. The SEG is twice as efficient as commercial silicon solar cells under indoor conditions and can power devices like digital watches.
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have developed high-efficiency quantum-dot solar cells without toxic elements like lead or cadmium. These devices exhibit remarkable defect tolerance, making them promising for practical utility.
Researchers have designed a π-conjugated small-molecule HTL material BDT-TPA-sTh, which improves hole-mobility and wettability with the perovskite precursor solution. This enhances the efficiency of p-i-n planar pero-SCs for large-area modular devices.
Researchers have developed lead-free perovskite solar cells with excellent optical properties and high stability, thanks to the use of tin and organic groups. The new material shows improved performance over traditional halide perovskites, paving the way for more efficient and stable solar energy harvesting.
A novel gel-based cooling system developed at KAUST has improved the efficiency of a prototype solar panel up to 20 percent, consuming no external energy. The technology taps into the natural properties of the Earth's climate, utilizing atmospheric water generation to reduce temperatures and enhance heat transfer.
Rice University researchers have created a self-sustaining system that splits water to produce hydrogen fuel using solar power, with an efficiency of up to 6.7%. The device uses perovskite solar cells and catalytic electrodes to convert sunlight into electricity, which drives the electrochemical reaction to produce hydrogen and oxygen.
A Purdue University-led research team has found a way to make halide perovskites stable enough for use in solar panels and electronic devices. By inhibiting ion movement, the researchers unlocked their potential to form heterostructures that can perform multiple functions.
Researchers at Peking University developed a new fluorinated fused-ring electron acceptor with 3D stacking and exciton and charge transport, leading to improved efficiency in organic solar cells. The OSCs based on FINIC showed an efficiency of 14.0%, significantly higher than nonfluorinated INIC-based cells.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a new lead-free chalcogenide perovskite that could provide a safer and more effective option for solar cells. The compound, barium zirconium sulfide (BaZrS3), is highly resistant to moisture and sunlight, making it an attractive alternative to traditional materials.
Caltech's Wei Gao creates an electronic skin that runs on biofuel cells powered by lactate in human sweat, generating enough electricity to power sensors and a Bluetooth device. The e-skin can monitor heart rate, body temperature, and metabolic byproducts, enabling continuous health tracking.
Researchers have created next-gen perovskite solar cells that generate electricity while allowing light to pass through, transforming windows into active power generators. Two square meters of solar window can produce the same amount of electricity as a standard rooftop solar panel.
Researchers have developed an innovative approach to enhance the performance of solar cells, which could lead to a significant increase in efficiency and revolutionize photovoltaics. The new method, published in Nature Energy, demonstrates potential for ultra-high-efficiency single-junction semiconductor devices.
Researchers at Ames Laboratory have experimentally proven the presence of the Rashba effect in bulk organometallic halide perovskites using terahertz light bursts. This discovery settles the long-standing debate about the effect's existence, offering significant advancements for spintronic and photovoltaic applications.
Researchers identify 'deep trap' caused by clusters of smaller atomic-sized defect sites at grain boundaries, leading to power losses and instability. The discovery could streamline efforts to increase efficiency of perovskites, bringing them closer to mass-market production.
Researchers discover deep trap clusters at grain boundaries in perovskites, reducing efficiency and stability. The findings could streamline efforts to increase the efficiency of perovskites for mass-market production.
Scientists at NREL have fabricated a solar cell with an efficiency of nearly 50%, setting two world records for the highest solar conversion efficiency. The six-junction solar cell can be used in concentrator photovoltaics to reduce material usage and increase efficiency.
Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin have developed a new tandem solar cell made of CIGS and perovskite, achieving an efficiency of 24.16 percent. This innovation has created a new branch on the NREL chart for two-terminal tandem cells.
A new photosensitizer compound created by West Virginia University researchers has the potential to significantly improve the efficiency of solar panels and other technologies. The compound, made from zirconium, can convert light into electrical energy, making it a more sustainable and cost-effective option for renewable energy.
A research team has identified the cause of performance degradation in CQD PV devices and developed a material processing method to stabilize their performance. The method uses ligand substitution with potassium iodide, maintaining device efficiency above 80% for 300 hours.
Researchers have developed a simple method to detect tiny imperfections in next-generation solar cells, boosting their efficiency. By using a camera to analyze infrared light emitted from the cells, they can identify and adjust manufacturing processes to improve quality control.