Articles tagged with Photovoltaics
Researchers created a new type of machine learning model to predict power-conversion efficiency of materials for next-generation organic solar cells. The approach is quick and easy to use, providing important data on chemical fragments that affect performance.
Scientists at KAUST create a perovskite ink suitable for mass production using slot-die coating, improving solar cell efficiency to up to 21.8%. The ink can also be coated onto silicon to produce tandem solar cells capturing even more of the Sun's energy.
Large-area flexible organic photodiodes have surpassed conventional silicon photodiode technology in detecting low levels of light across large areas. The devices offer advantages over silicon, particularly in biomedical imaging and biometric monitoring, with performance comparable to rigid silicon photodiodes.
Researchers at Swansea University developed a new method to detect tiny signatures of 'charge traps' in organic semiconductors, which may improve the performance of solar cells, photodetectors, and OLEDs. The study found that charge traps can generate new charges rather than annihilate them completely.
A team led by Prof. Christoph Brabec has developed a system to increase the efficiency of organic solar cells. By using luminescent acceptor molecules, they achieved an impressive 12.6% efficiency record in a recent study published in Nature Energy.
Scientists have developed transparent photovoltaic devices using thin silicon films, enabling efficient power generation. The devices utilize ultraviolet light and can generate electricity even under low-light conditions.
The new photodetector achieves ultrasensitive detection, stable operation under extreme conditions, and ultrabroad spectrum detection exceeding 10μm.
Scientists have found nanometre-sized areas of varying local density in amorphous silicon thin films. These regions, known as densely ordered domains, contain hardly any hydrogen and can contribute to the stability of the material.
Scientists have discovered that ionization energy is more crucial than electron affinity in determining the efficiency of organic solar cells. This finding allows for precise design rules to be derived, aiming to maximize solar cell efficiency and potentially leading to transparent solar cells with high efficiency.
Researchers developed feasible approaches for durable perovskite photovoltaics by addressing internal instability, chemical degradation, and environmental factors. Compositional engineering and bonding passivation are promising methods to improve device durability.
Researchers from GIST have discovered that doping polycrystalline solar cells with alkali metals improves their efficiency. The optimal dopant thickness determined the path of charge carriers, leading to a record fill factor of 63% and competitive overall performance.
Organic solar cell efficiencies are limited by electron affinity and ionization energy offsets. Researchers discovered that Förster resonance energy transfer competes with electron transfer, hindering charge separation. The team plans to design new materials with enhanced charge generation and reduced energy losses.
Scientists at KAUST create a straightforward method for depositing silicon oxide onto silicon wafers using plasma processing in carbon dioxide gas. This technique resolves the problem of 'dangling bonds' and generates stable oxide films suitable for solar cells.
Researchers at FSU investigated perovskite materials to improve their stability under real-world conditions. They found that adding cesium increases the material's stability and performance under light and elevated temperatures.
Stanford researchers developed a new ultrahigh-res OLED display technology that enables televisions, smartphones, and virtual reality devices to reach resolutions of up to 10,000 pixels per inch. The displays are also brighter and have better color accuracy than existing versions.
Scientists at NREL developed a next-generation thermochromic window that reduces energy consumption and generates electricity. The new technology enables various colors and temperature-driven color changes, increasing design flexibility and control over building aesthetics.
Scientists at the University of Córdoba studied new solar tracking strategies to maximize electric production. They proposed a tracking strategy that uses backtracking to avoid casting shadows among panels, resulting in an annual increase of 2% more energy production.
The University of Surrey has made significant advancements in perovskite tandem solar cells, achieving higher power conversion efficiencies through adjustments to thickness and the development of more effective protective layers. This progress holds promise for accelerating commercialization and promoting a shift towards green energy.
A new solar panel design using checkerboard lines can absorb up to 125% more light, leading to the creation of thinner, lighter, and more flexible panels. This breakthrough could enable a rapid expansion of photovoltaics and greatly reduce carbon footprint.
A new study shows that layering advanced materials atop traditional silicon can produce multilayered solar panels with improved efficiency. The researchers used a precisely controlled fabrication process to create the new panels, which have the potential to convert more sunlight into usable electricity.
Researchers developed a new spectroscopy method, 'omnidirectional photoluminescence (ODPL) spectroscopy,' to test materials for electric cars and solar cells. The technique can detect defects and impurities at low temperatures.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee discovered a way to slow phonons, waves that transport heat, in photovoltaic materials. This discovery holds promise for improving novel hot-carrier solar cells, which convert sunlight to electricity more efficiently than conventional solar cells by harnessing...
Researchers at EPFL have developed a novel deposition method that enables the creation of highly efficient and stable black-phase FAPbI3 perovskite solar cells. The new method, which uses vapor-assisted deposition, overcomes the stability issues associated with traditional methods, resulting in power-conversion efficiencies of over 23%.
Researchers estimate that adding floating solar panels to existing hydropower stations could generate up to 10,600 terawatt-hours of power annually. This would account for about 35% of global electricity consumption in 2018.
Researchers from City University of Hong Kong have developed a novel method to tackle instability and potential environmental impact in perovskite solar cells, achieving high power conversion efficiency while minimizing lead leakage. The team's innovative use of 2D metal-organic frameworks enhances device performance and stability.
Researchers have developed a new type of solar cell that can reflect 99% of the energy it can't convert into electricity, allowing for more efficient use of waste heat from exhaust pipes and chimneys. This technology has the potential to make renewable energy storage cheaper by ten-fold compared to traditional battery-based systems.
A team of researchers suggests using two thin films of different materials to create affordable and efficient solar cells. The proposed configuration achieves a 34% efficiency rate, surpassing the efficiency of individual components.
Scientists investigate how perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells perform in sunny and hot environments, finding that the perovskite bandgap gets larger as the device heats up, allowing more stable compositions to be used.
Researchers at Skoltech have developed a simple and efficient method to convert silicon wafers into nanoparticles in an aqueous solution, providing a new source of sustainable materials. The process enables controlling particle sizes and has implications for optics, photonics, medicine, and other fields.
Scientists from DGIST have developed a novel betavoltaic cell with dye-sensitized electrons, achieving high radiation-to-current conversion efficiency. This innovation offers promising opportunities for small, durable, and efficient nuclear batteries.
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.