Articles tagged with Photovoltaics
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
A new type of solar cell with a wide bandgap perovskite material has been developed to improve efficiency and durability. The researchers achieved a 26.7% efficient power conversion rate in their double layer solar cell, with the material retaining 80% of its initial capability after 1,000 hours of continuous illumination.
Researchers at Linköping University have discovered a quantum phenomenon that influences the formation of free charges in organic solar cells. Vibronic coherence contributes to photocurrent generation and can be used to increase efficiency.
Scientists at ITMO University have developed a new method to increase the efficiency of solar cells and light-emitting diodes by augmenting their auxiliary layers with carbon dots. This approach has led to significant improvements in efficiency, with increases of up to 13% for perovskite-based solar cells.
The study reveals that zero-point vibrations can significantly reduce open-circuit voltage and efficiency in organic solar cells. By understanding the relationship between molecular properties and macroscopic device properties, researchers can develop novel materials to overcome these limitations.
Researchers at New York University develop guidelines for optimal band gap values in wide-band gap semiconductors for efficient underwater use. Various materials, such as organic and alloys, are shown to be suitable for deep waters, potentially extending the range of autonomous submersible vehicles.
Researchers from the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology discovered a way to inhibit side reactions in perovskite solutions, leading to improved stability, efficiency, and reproducibility of solar cells. A low-boiling-point stabilizer, triethyl borate, was found to be effective in stopping unwanted reactions.
Researchers at NIST identified acetic acid as a prime suspect in accelerating the degradation of polyamide-based backsheets, which are common in solar panels. The study highlights the importance of interplay between solar panel components in determining their longevity.
Researchers at NREL developed a new formula to boost perovskite solar cell longevity and efficiency by suppressing light-induced phase-segregation. The tandem perovskite/silicon solar cell achieved an efficiency of 27%, outperforming existing silicon-based cells.
Researchers have successfully created translucent solar cells with a high efficiency level of 12.2%, solving issues of flexibility and transparency. The development paves the way for integrating solar cells into everyday infrastructure, such as energy-generating vehicles and buildings made from glass.
Researchers at UNIST have developed flexible and transparent solar cells that can absorb reflected light, increasing their efficiency. The new solar cell structure takes advantage of the theoretical light absorption mechanism to recycle reflected light, enabling it to maintain over 95% initial efficiency even after bending tests.
Scientists have created an ultrathin organic solar cell with a high energy conversion ratio of 13% and long-term storage stability. The research used a simple post-annealing process to increase durability, achieving both efficiency and longevity.
Researchers at Kyoto University have improved the efficiency of organic solar cells by targeting the molecular backbone of the power-generating layer. The new design approach increased the excited state duration of the electron-accepting component, converting over 70% of light particles into current. Further modifications to the molecu...
Researchers from the University of Toronto and KAUST have created a highly efficient and stable tandem solar cell by combining perovskites with silicon. The tandem solar cell achieved an efficiency of 25.7% and was stable for over 400 hours at high temperatures.
Researchers at CU Boulder have developed a low-cost solar cell with one of the highest power-conversion efficiencies to date by layering perovskite cells on top of silicon cells. The new technology increases efficiency by up to 27% and is more affordable than current silicon-based cells.
Researchers from Uppsala University have developed new indoor photovoltaic cells that can harness and convert indoor light into electricity, enabling self-powered IoT devices.
Researchers from ETH Zürich found that single-family households with behavioral change can achieve total self-sufficiency by 2050. However, multi-family buildings require advancements in photovoltaic technology to reach the same level of energy independence.
Researchers successfully combined graphene with tandem perovskite-silicon solar cells to achieve efficiencies of up to 26.3%, almost doubling the efficiency of pure silicon. This new approach enables large-area solar panels with reduced production costs.
Researchers at KAUST have discovered a way to boost the efficiency of long-lived inverted perovskite solar cells, achieving record-certified efficiency of 22.3 percent. The innovative approach involves adding long-chain alkylamine ligands during production, which enhances stability and reduces boundary defects.
Researchers developed a new material technology to create high-efficiency perovskite solar cells using eco-friendly organic materials dissolved in peppermint oil or walnut aroma. The new polymers overcame the instability issue of conventional perovskite solar cells, maintaining 88% efficiency after 30 days.
Developed by NREL and NIU researchers, the technique prevents toxic lead from leaking into water when perovskite solar cells are damaged. The additive layers reduce lead toxicity without affecting cell performance.
Researchers developed a new organic photovoltaic cell with an efficiency of 17%, achieved through optimized chemical structures and improved processability. The study demonstrates the potential for larger-area production, expanding the field of organic photovoltaics.
Researchers at Brown University found that perovskite films crack easily but can be healed with compression or moderate heat, which could improve durability and long-term reliability for commercialization
A new approach to electrostatic layer deposition has been reported, leading to efficient perovskite solar cells. The technique produces uniform electron transport layers without the need for a vacuum environment, enabling the creation of high-efficiency solar cells with improved power-conversion efficiencies.
A new study models the potential of semitransparent organic solar cells to power greenhouses, finding that many can become energy neutral in warm or temperate climates. The technology allows greenhouses to generate energy from unused light while minimizing impact on plant growth.
Researchers from ITMO University have proposed a technology for manufacturing high-efficiency solar cells based on A3B5 semiconductors integrated on a silicon substrate, which may increase the efficiency of existing photovoltaic converters by 1.5 times. The new technology could lead to more effective and affordable solar energy solutions.
A new study outlines a roadmap for perovskite-based solar cells to gain traction in the global market. Starting with higher-value niche markets, manufacturers can avoid steep initial capital costs and gradually expand production capabilities.
Researchers developed a regioselective bay-functionalization method to synthesize PDI-based acceptor materials. This approach lifts the LUMO level, reducing energy offset for charge separation and non-radiative recombination loss in organic solar cells.
A new consensus statement has been established to assess and report the stability of perovskite photovoltaic devices. The agreement aims to improve reproducibility in studies by providing a set of testing procedures specific to this technology, including light-dark-cycling and intrinsic stability testing.
Researchers have developed anti-solar cells that can harness power from infrared radiation at night, offering a potential solution for balancing the power grid around the day-night cycle. The devices work by emitting light instead of absorbing it, using different materials and physics.
Researchers at MIT and NREL propose slimming down silicon cells to reduce costs and increase manufacturing capacity. By reducing wafer thickness from 160 micrometers to as little as 40 micrometers, the study suggests a significant reduction in material usage and potential savings.