Articles tagged with Photovoltaics
Researchers from Fujun Zhang's group have reported ternary polymer solar cells with 16.27% efficiency, surpassing binary systems without solvent additives. The addition of a third component enhances photon harvesting and optimizes exciton distribution, paving the way for industrialization of organic photovoltaics.
A breakthrough in a new material called a tandem perovskite solar cell has been achieved, bringing efficiency to about 23%, compared to silicon panels at 18% efficient. The goal is to make cheaper and more efficient solar cells that could replace silicon photovoltaic technology.
Researchers at Skoltech have developed new perovskite-inspired semiconductors with enhanced light-conversion efficiency of over 24% for solar cells. The materials overcome toxicity and stability issues by introducing bismuth and antimony halides, exhibiting record-high performance in solar cells.
Researchers discovered that adding fluoride to perovskite leaves a protective layer, increasing its stability and solar cells' efficiency. The study achieved an efficiency of 21.3%, exceeding previous records by up to 24%.
Researchers have uncovered details of microalgae's light-harvesting system, which is up to 95% efficient, using advanced mass spectrometry techniques. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more efficient organic solar panels, increasing energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
Researchers at the University of Bath have successfully waterproofed perovskite solar cells using a graphite coating, enabling the direct generation of clean hydrogen fuels from sunlight. This breakthrough could lead to more affordable and sustainable solar energy solutions.
A new device has been demonstrated that can generate a measurable amount of electricity by leveraging the temperature difference between Earth and space. The device, which uses an infrared photodiode pointed towards the sky, produced 64 nanowatts per square meter, a tiny but promising amount of power.
Research suggests that US schools can harness the power of solar panels to reduce their energy bills and carbon footprint. The study found that schools in sunny states like Texas, California, and Florida have the greatest potential for generating electricity from solar panels on school rooftops.
Researchers at NYU Tandon School of Engineering have discovered a method to make organic solar panels more robust by removing electron-accepting molecules from the top surface. This technique enhances the durability of organic solar cells, allowing them to function under water without encapsulation and resist degradation from oxygen an...
Researchers developed stable inorganic perovskite semiconductors at moderate temperatures, enabling integration into thin-film solar cells. The optimized CsPbI3 layers showed an initial efficiency of over 12% and stable performance for over 1200 hours.
The researchers have fabricated an organic semiconductor pn junction with high crystallinity using molecular beam epitaxy, allowing for efficient electron and hole delocalization. This technology enables the realization of new concept organic solar cells with high energy conversion efficiency.
Scientists have discovered that caffeine can improve the performance and thermal stability of perovskite solar cells, increasing their efficiency from 17% to over 20%. The unique molecular structure of caffeine allows it to interact with perovskite precursors, giving this technology an edge on the market.
Scientists at Rice University and their collaborators have discovered coal-derived 'dots' that are effective antioxidants for people who suffer traumatic brain injuries, strokes or heart attacks. The biocompatible dots can quench oxidative stress and protect cells from damage, offering a potential treatment option.
Ten ASU engineering faculty members have received NSF CAREER Awards to fund their research projects, totaling $5 million over five years. The awards support various specialties, including nanoscale assembly and solar energy conversion.
Researchers improved mixed tin-lead perovskite solar cells using guanidiinium thocyanate, enhancing carrier lifetimes and optoelectronic properties. This led to all-perovskite tandem solar cells achieving efficiencies of up to 25% with over 88% efficiency maintained after 100 hours of continuous operation.
A study by University of Kent researchers found a direct correlation between increasing solar panel demand and rising silver prices, with the latter accounting for 6.1% of solar panel cost.
A collaboration of researchers from ICIQ and ICMAB-CSIC investigated the impact of changing Hole Transport Materials in perovskite solar cells. They found that the surfaces and interfaces created in the solar cell stack have a crucial role in functional device performances.
Researchers at the Center for Self-Assembled Organic Electronics will integrate chemical synthesis, theory, and simulations to develop next-generation materials capable of converting sunlight into electricity. The goal is to create lightweight and flexible solar cells that can be deployed in various environments and scenarios.
Researchers have made significant strides in improving the stability of perovskite solar cells to match their high efficiency. Surface terminal groups and alternative electrodes are promising strategies for enhancing long-term stability and reducing degradation mechanisms.
Researchers from EPFL have solved the puzzle of negative capacitance in perovskite solar cells by identifying a slow modification of current passing through contact, regulated by mobile ionic charge. This discovery sheds light on interaction between photovoltaic effect and ionic conductivity.
Scientists create novel polymeric material with fullerenes, boosting power conversion efficiency of organic solar cells by three-fold. The new interlayer material improves device stability and electrode performance, overcoming intrinsic problems related to combining hard and soft materials.
Researchers found that perovskite solar cells are stable up to 300 Gy of γ-radiation but suffer a rapid drop in efficiency with further increases in dose. The study aims to find more stable materials, which could make perovskite solar cells suitable for use in space
University of Groningen scientists have successfully produced high-quality solar cells using a novel 'doctor-blade' technique. The technique enables the production of large-scale, stable and efficient perovskite solar cells with improved photoluminescence and stability.
Researchers have achieved a remarkable power conversion efficiency of over 16 percent for single-junction organic solar cells. The breakthrough is attributed to the use of a newly designed wide-bandgap polymer P2F-EHp with an appropriate HOMO energy level, which enables optimal morphology and complementary absorption profile.
Researchers tested large-area perovskite solar cells in near space at an altitude of 35 km, demonstrating their ability to retain power conversion efficiency despite extreme conditions. The study found that a device based on FA0.81MA0.10Cs0.04PbI2.55Br0.40 retained 95.19% of its initial efficiency.
Researchers at TUM have developed a compact instrument to determine the spectral properties of individual molecules, capturing detailed information on molecule-environment interactions. This breakthrough aims to accelerate the identification of efficient molecules for future organic solar cells.
Researchers have developed a nanofabrication technique to create bug-shaped robots that are wirelessly powered and able to survive in harsh environments. The robots are tiny enough to be injected through an ordinary hypodermic needle and can be controlled using laser power or other energy sources.
A new solar cell design created by Beth Parks increases energy capture by 30% in Uganda, where 20-25% of people have no access to electricity. The affordable system could improve quality-of-life for millions and make solar energy more viable in developing countries.
A new Weyl semimetal delivers the largest intrinsic conversion of light to electricity, exceeding previous records by tenfold. The unique material exploits electron chirality for non-linear generation of direct current.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory and University of Cambridge used supercomputing and machine learning to identify five high-performing organic dye materials for dye-sensitized solar cells. The study demonstrates the full cycle of data-driven materials discovery, from simulation to laboratory testing.
A team of researchers from Kanazawa University has made a breakthrough in improving the efficiency of metal halide perovskite-type solar cells by layering different mineral forms of titanium oxide. The new approach, which combines anatase and brookite layers, enhances electron transport and reduces recombination, leading to increased s...
Researchers at EPFL have developed a new method to grow nanowires in a highly controlled and reproducible manner. By altering the diameter-to-height ratio of the hole, they can perfectly control how the nanowires grow, enabling applications such as laser generation on silicon chips.
A novel concept proposes a lateral alternating multilayered junction for organic solar cells, enabling long-distance carrier transport and extraction. The structure shows promising results with high exciton-collection efficiency, paving the way to exceed conversion efficiency of 20%.
A team of engineers found that certain defects in lead-halide perovskite semiconductors can improve their performance, increasing efficiency and stability. The discoveries could pave the way for the development of more efficient and environmentally friendly solar cells and LEDs.
The researchers used electrostatic force microscopy with synchronized laser pulses to create a movie of recombination as it occurred, allowing them to spot speedy electrons and holes in motion. This new method may improve the efficiency of solar panels by reducing energy losses due to recombination.
A team of researchers from TUM used computational screening and data mining to analyze 64,000 organic compounds, identifying key structural frameworks and functional groups that facilitate favorable charge transport. The study reveals the importance of molecular design in creating efficient electronic components.
Researchers have discovered a 'sweet spot' where adding certain additives enhances perovskite solar cell performance, but beyond that point, further additions degrade it. The findings provide clues for improving the material's efficiency and longevity, which currently lags behind conventional silicon cells.
Researchers have developed graphene quantum dot sensitized C-ZnO nanotaper photoanodes, which demonstrate superior photoconversion efficiency and incident-photon-to-current conversion efficiency. The resulting quantum dot sensitized solar cells exhibit improved photovoltaic performances compared to conventional ZnO-based photoanodes.
Researchers at OIST Graduate University have developed a new perovskite solar cell design that improves stability and scalability, enabling the creation of low-cost, large-area solar modules. The devices achieved an efficiency of over 20% and demonstrated their viability for commercialization in the near future.
Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have developed a new synthesis process for S-PPVs, promising polymers for various applications. The process uses inexpensive base materials and can be scaled up for industrial quantities, making them suitable for commercial use.
Researchers developed new materials to adjust transport layer properties, suppressing recombination and enhancing charge extraction. The study showed that permittivity and doping density of transport layers significantly impact PSCs' performance.
Researchers develop a new way to measure solar panel degradation by using past meteorological data and machine learning algorithms. The method allows for real-time inspection and prediction of solar power output, enabling faster repairs and improved forecasting.
Researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences improve PSCs by removing van der Waals gaps in Ruddlesden-Popper phase 2D layered perovskites. The newly developed materials exhibit outstanding stability under harsh testing conditions.
A new tool, DeepSolar, scans high-resolution images of the US for solar panels, registering their locations and sizes. Researchers found 1.47 million individual installations nationwide, correlating them with factors like income, education, and incoming solar radiation.
The Stanford team's analysis found 1.47 million solar panel installations in the US, significantly higher than previous estimates, and identified factors leading to adoption, such as household income and geographic location. The machine learning program DeepSolar was able to correctly identify images with solar panels 93% of the time a...
Researchers from Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) and Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin (HZB) developed a novel approach to form selective contact layers in perovskite solar cells using self-assembling monolayers. This method achieves extremely low material consumption and high efficiency, outperforming traditional methods.
A study by ETH Zurich researchers found that clean air would increase solar radiation nationwide, allowing for a one-tenth increase in electricity production. This could lead to additional electricity generation of 85-158 terawatt hours per year, generating significant revenue for the Chinese electricity industry.
Researchers at ICFO have developed colloidal quantum dot (CQD) infrared emitting LEDs with unprecedented values in the infrared range, achieving external quantum efficiency of 7.9% and power conversion efficiency of 9.3%. The CQDs' unique properties allow for efficient charge funnelling and low electronic defect density, enabling signi...
Scientists at FAU have developed a new organic molecule that absorbs more light than fullerenes and is very durable. The hybrid printed photovoltaics achieved a certified power conversion efficiency of 12.25%, setting a new record for solution-based organic single-junction solar cells.
A team at the University of Freiburg has successfully applied 2D-spectroscopy to isolated molecular systems, allowing for more precise study of atomic interactions. This breakthrough enables a better understanding of processes in photovoltaics and optoelectronics.
Researchers analyzed the cost drop of solar photovoltaic modules over four decades, attributing it to improved conversion efficiency and government policies. The study suggests that having multiple 'knobs' to turn can lead to steady cost declines in technology.
Scientists at BESSY II discovered that mixed iron complexes can convert sunlight into electricity by releasing charge carriers. The findings suggest a new direction for developing inexpensive transition-metal complexes suitable for use in solar cells.
Rice University engineers have developed flexible organic photovoltaics with improved mechanical properties, enabling them to withstand strains of up to 20%. The new material retains its efficiency and gains flexibility by incorporating a network of elastic additives.
Researchers have developed a new approach to improve the efficiency of perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells by using textures and a polymer light management foil. This design achieved an efficiency of 25.5%, outperforming previous records, and has the potential to reach up to 32.5% with further improvements.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum developed a new fabrication process for transparent ultra-thin silver films, which may improve the efficiency of solar cells and light-emitting diodes. The process overcomes challenges associated with traditional chemical methods.
A recent UK-wide study found that solar panels experience a 25% power loss due to hot spots, which are more prevalent in Northern England. Hotspots were found to be caused by localized temperature increases and can lead to permanent damage.
Researchers at Stanford University have created a device that can collect heat from the sun and coldness from outer space at the same time. The technology combines radiative cooling with solar absorption, allowing for simultaneous heating and cooling, which could improve solar cell efficiency.
Researchers at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg develop a method to produce stable perovskite layers, which could lead to high-performance solar cells. The approach uses an industry-wide process to control layer growth, resulting in homogenous and controlled crystals that can withstand elevated temperatures.
Kanazawa University researchers create organic solar cells using wet processing method with molecule alignment, leading to improved light absorption and charge transport. The CuI layer introduction achieves a ten times higher substrate-facing orientation of active molecules.
A study by Christine Horne and Emily Kennedy found bipartisan support for renewable energy, with conservatives viewing it as financially smart and a step towards self-sufficiency. Democrats strongly link renewable energy to environmental protection and reducing carbon emissions. The research highlights an area of common ground between ...