Articles tagged with Photovoltaics
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 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.
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.
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.
The study introduces a fluorinated electron-acceptor unit that precisely controls the energy levels within an organic semiconductor, leading to improved hole and electron injection and transport. The resulting thin film solar cell exhibits high photovoltaic performance with a power conversion efficiency of up to 3.12%.
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 ...
Researchers found a way to change the spatial arrangement of bipyridine molecules on surfaces using metals, which can improve dye-sensitized solar cells. The cis configuration is formed through the addition of iron atoms and increased temperature, altering the chemical conformation.
Researchers at HZB integrated a thin layer of singlet fission-capable tetracene crystals into a silicon solar cell, successfully generating two pairs of charge carriers simultaneously. This breakthrough increases the quantum efficiency to 200 percent and brings the theoretical efficiency limit closer to 40 percent.
Swansea University researchers have developed a perovskite solar module six times bigger than the previous largest, with efficiencies of up to 6.3% PCE and 11% PCE at low light levels. The technology uses simple and low-cost printing techniques, paving the way for industrial production.
Scientists at OIST have developed a method to fabricate low-cost high-efficiency perovskite solar cells, boasting an efficiency comparable to crystalline silicon cells. The technique uses a gas-solid reaction-based method to produce uniform panels with improved stability and production costs.
Scientists have developed a solar flow battery that can store sunlight as chemical energy for later use. The device can be used to provide electricity in remote regions, making it an attractive solution for off-grid electrification.
Researchers at Penn State discover unique properties of halide perovskites that enable efficient conversion of sunlight into electricity, guiding the development of next-generation solar cells. The study's findings provide insights into how to improve the performance and stability of these materials.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a revolutionary technology that uses solar cells as optical antennas to transmit and receive information wirelessly between devices. This innovation enables seamless integration of IoT devices into everyday objects and harnesses energy from the environment to avoid frequent recharging.
Researchers at RIKEN developed a self-powered heart monitor that can be taped to the skin, utilizing sunlight as a power source. The device achieves high photo-conversion efficiency and demonstrates accurate heartbeat detection in both rats and humans under various lighting conditions.
A new study found that coal-fired power plants require 13 times more land to be carbon neutral than solar panel manufacturing, making solar the more efficient option. To achieve carbon neutrality with coal, 89% of US land would need to be covered in forests or optimal crops.
Researchers created an algorithm using physics of panel degradation to analyze solar farm data, providing a portable EKG for solar farms. The approach can inform better panel designs, prolong lifespan, and cut electrical bills, ultimately transforming the industry's diagnosis and decision-making processes.
Researchers find way to reduce production costs of solar cells by more than 10 percent through nano-texturing silicon and atomic layer deposition. The cost per unit power drops, making solar energy comparable to conventional electricity.
A research team at UNIST introduced a novel method to solve issues associated with the thickness of photoactive layers in OSCs, achieving an efficiency of 12.01% using a non-fullerene acceptor.
Researchers at UCLA Samueli School of Engineering created a highly efficient thin-film solar cell that generates more energy from sunlight than typical solar panels. The device converts 22.4 percent of incoming energy, surpassing the previous record set in 2015.
Research reveals that air pollution can reduce solar panel output by up to 17% in some cities, leading to significant financial losses. The study found that urban areas like Delhi and Beijing could lose tens of millions of dollars annually due to haze-related reductions in solar power.
Scientists have identified key defects in perovskite solar cells that limit their efficiency. The most harmful defects are found at the interfaces between the perovskite layer and charge transport layers, leading to recombination of charge carriers and energy losses.
New solar energy research from Arizona State University demonstrates that silicon-based tandem photovoltaic modules can become increasingly attractive in the US market, with potential to reduce costs and increase efficiency. The study found that 32% efficient anticipated tandem modules can cost more than three times that of projected 2...
Researchers from Osaka University have developed a technique to fabricate ceramic ultra-thin films using solution process, achieving high power conversion efficiency. The technique eliminates the need for heating, drastically reducing production cost and environmental impact.
An international team of materials scientists developed a way to boost the efficiency of organic solar cells by incorporating fluorine atoms in polymers. This process increased cell efficiency from 3.7% to 10.2%, making polymer-based cells a promising technology for power generation.
Researchers at Linköping University have formulated design rules to minimize energy losses in organic solar cells, achieving low energy losses and high power conversion efficiencies. The new theory challenges previous beliefs and agrees with experimental results.
Researchers have achieved a direct solar water-splitting efficiency of 19.3%, surpassing the theoretical maximum of 23%. The innovation lies in a tandem cell made of III-V semiconductors and a crystalline titanium dioxide layer, which improves anti-reflection properties and enhances catalyst activity.
Researchers have developed copper nitride semiconductors that can replace toxic materials in photovoltaic cells, offering a brighter future for solar energy. The unique nitriding technique and fluorine doping enable efficient p-type and n-type conduction, promising scalable and low-cost manufacturing routes.
Researchers have created a window-compatible material that can generate electricity and insulate against heat, leading to potential savings of over 50% on household energy costs. The dual-function material could pave the way for new technologies such as self-powered greenhouses.
The University of Surrey's Advanced Technology Institute has created a new technique to reduce energy loss in perovskite solar cells, increasing voltage and efficiency. The Solution-Process Secondary growth (SSG) method achieved a PCE of 20.9%, the highest certified for inverted cells.
Researchers at FAU and ANSER Center investigate singlet fission mechanism, gaining insights into its potential for increasing solar cell efficiency. They find that SF efficiency correlates with the coupling of molecular sub-units, providing a promising approach to boost performance.
Researchers at Ural Federal University have discovered that controlling intrinsic defects in nanoparticles can enhance their energy conversion capabilities. This breakthrough could lead to improved solar cell efficiency by up to 50%.
A new scalable means of applying an electron transport layer in perovskite cells has been developed, resulting in a 30 percent efficiency gain. This breakthrough could make perovskite solar cells more commercially viable and pave the way for record-breaking p-i-n perovskite solar cells.
Researchers have discovered a new class of materials that can harness sunlight to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Cs2BiAgCl6 and Cs2BiAgBr6 are promising photocatalytic materials due to their ability to absorb visible light and generate sufficient energy to split water.
Scientists from FAU are investigating a novel approach to storing solar energy in a single molecule, enabling the creation of an 'energy-storing solar cell'. The research focuses on the use of norbornadiene-quadricyclane storage system and intramolecular reactions to store and release electrical energy efficiently.
Recent improvements in perovskite alternatives are moving tandem devices closer to market with efficiencies similar to commercial silicon modules. Researchers have achieved lab device efficiencies up to 26.4 percent by tinkering with material composition and encapsulating cells in protective coatings.
Research teams have developed an economically competitive solution to create solar cells that combine the benefits of silicon and perovskite materials. The new technology achieves a record efficiency of 25.2% while maintaining compatibility with existing industrial expertise.
A KAIST research team has developed a novel perovskite material, Cs2Au2I6, which exhibits high efficiency and stability compared to conventional organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites. The new material is expected to overcome the limitations of previous perovskite materials, including toxicity issues.
Researchers used machine learning to automate the search for well-matched solar materials, creating a new organic photovoltaic polymer. The study suggests that AI could accelerate solar cell development by instantaneously predicting results and providing crucial support for molecular designers.
Researchers have fabricated a new kind of dye sensitized solar cell using zinc oxide-graphene composites, exhibiting enhanced photoluminescence and increased conversion efficiency compared to bare ZnO devices. The polyol synthesis method is also shown to be environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
A new index helps utilities balance electricity distribution with lower consumer costs by accounting for the variability of decentralized energy sources like solar and wind. The index suggests deployment of flexible loads according to market conditions, potentially leading to lower costs and grid stability.
Researchers from University of Bristol and Cambridge created polymeric semiconductor nanostructures that absorb light and transport its energy further than previously observed. Lightweight semiconducting plastics can now be used to convert sunlight into electricity more efficiently.
Researchers have developed a new method for generating fast X-rays using standard laboratory lasers, allowing them to image the movement of electrons in organic materials. This breakthrough enables the study of extreme reaction steps and could lead to improved solar cells and catalysts.
In two-dimensional crystals, researchers identified the nature of interlayer excitons, which consist of positive and negative charge particles separated by space. This discovery enables stronger binding and potentially leads to highly efficient solar cells.
A team of researchers at MIT analyzed four different solar cell technologies and found that the most efficient but expensive panels were the best option for residential systems in dry locations. However, for utility-scale installations or in wetter climates, less efficient but cheaper panels are more economical.
Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology have developed the world's smallest wireless optical biodevice, measuring just 1 mm³ and 2.3 mg in volume and weight. The device converts infrared light into blue light to control neural activity, offering a promising solution for optogenetics applications.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have demonstrated organic solar cells that can achieve 15 percent efficiency, comparable to conventional solar panels. The new design combines specialized layers to absorb visible and infrared light, increasing efficiency by 5 percentage points.
The project aims to explore highly novel forms of physical photovoltaic (PV) tiles that can harness indoor and ambient light to power integrated digital services. This technology has vast applications, including interactive art designs, pedestrian navigation, and energy-efficient street awnings.
Scientists at University of Warwick discovered that physically deforming semiconductors used in commercial solar cells can generate a non-centrosymmetric structure, allowing for the bulk photovoltaic effect. This could potentially increase power generation efficiency by overcoming the Shockley-Queisser Limit.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have discovered a novel type of opal formed by brown algae, exhibiting iridescence due to self-assembled oil droplet nanostructures. The seaweed's chloroplasts-containing cells can switch on and off this dynamic self-assembly, creating changing opals that react to sunlight.
Researchers developed ultraflexible OPVs with increased PCE and thermal stability, achieving 80% of initial PCE at over 500 hours of continuous thermal stress. The devices exhibit improved thermal stability compared to current OPVs, enabling optimal performance for wearable sensors and electronic devices.
Researchers at NIST have developed a nanoscale coating for solar cells that absorbs up to 20% more sunlight, increasing efficiency and reducing costs.
Researchers at NREL have made progress in scaling up perovskite solar cell production, but issues persist, including the non-uniform coating of chemicals and inactive zones between cells. To address these challenges, scientists are exploring various scalable deposition methods.