Articles tagged with Photovoltaics
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.
A composite thin film made of two different inorganic oxide materials significantly improves the performance of solar cells by optimizing its ability to absorb and convert sunlight into electricity. The material achieves a record power conversion efficiency of up to 4.2%, making it promising for future solar technologies.
Researchers relax perovskite crystal to reduce strain and improve power conversion efficiency, achieving 20.5% efficiency with negligible degradation over 1,500 hours of operation.
Researchers at Linköping University have developed high-quality lead-free double perovskite films with long electron-hole diffusion length, a necessary property for efficient solar cells. The power conversion efficiency of these solar cells is still low, but the team has taken a major step towards increasing efficiency in the near future.
Researchers discovered that kesterites with germanium exhibit lower point defects and disorder, leading to increased efficiency in solar cells. Germanium increases the optical band gap, allowing for more efficient sunlight conversion into electrical energy.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have discovered the mechanism by which holes become trapped in zinc oxide nanoparticles, a material with potential for solar energy applications. The study uses X-ray techniques to visualize hole trapping in specific regions of the nanoparticle, revealing its impact on material performance.
Researchers refuted long-held beliefs about sodium's impact on solar cell production by demonstrating its dual effect: homogenizing elements within grains but slowing inter-grain homogenization. This finding could lead to improved manufacturing processes and new insights into solar cell production.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered a simple potassium solution that can boost the efficiency of next-generation solar cells by up to 21.5%. The addition of potassium iodide 'heals' defects and immobilises ion movement, making the material more stable and efficient at converting sunlight into electricity.
Researchers have developed a method to produce high-quality monocrystalline silicon thin films with reduced crystal defects, grown at a rate 10 times higher than before. This technology could drastically reduce manufacturing costs while maintaining power generation efficiency.
Researchers at Iowa State University have discovered a new class of low-cost and environmentally friendly semiconductors using sodium, bismuth, and sulfur. The materials exhibit ideal properties for solar cells, including a stable band gap and resistance to air and water exposure.
Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a technique to analyze structural and electronic fluctuations on the single-molecule scale across the metal-molecule interface. This method provides information that cannot be obtained using conventional methods, with important implications for devices like organic solar cells.
A team of researchers led by NYU Tandon Professor André D. Taylor has found an innovative way to improve solar cells, making them more efficient and suitable for various applications. The new material 'sandwich' combines different materials to absorb sunlight and transform it into electricity.
A new approach to making highly-efficient solar cells has been developed using a novel perovskite material. The researchers achieved a power conversion efficiency of 19.10% and demonstrated air-stability in their device, which could lead to more efficient solar energy applications.
A team of scientists at OIST has created a new biosensing material that can detect interactions at the molecular level, allowing for real-time monitoring of cell proliferation. The material uses gold nanostructures coated with silicon dioxide and capable of detecting extremely low concentrations of substances.
A team of researchers has invented tiny, light-powered wires that can modulate brain electrical signals, promising a new approach to understanding and treating brain disorders like Parkinson's disease and psychiatric conditions. The nanowires use silicon and gold to trigger neurons to fire electrical signals.
Research into polymer solar cells has made significant advances, with increased numbers of publications and patents. However, the technology is unlikely to replace traditional silicon solar cells due to durability and efficiency issues.
Researchers at Brown University have developed a new titanium-based material for making lead-free, inorganic perovskite solar cells. The material has favorable properties for solar applications and can be tuned to improve efficiency.
Researchers developed a new molecule, EH44, to replace the unstable spiro-OMeTAD layer in perovskite solar cells. The new design resolves chemical makeup issues and maintains steady efficiency, bringing emerging technology closer to commercial deployment.
Researchers at Aalto University found major deficiencies in ageing tests of perovskite and dye-sensitized solar cells. Most tests lacked common standards, were performed in dark conditions, or reported insufficient data.
Researchers discovered a new quantitative relation to identify promising material combinations for organic solar cells. The discovery enables chemists to evaluate different mixtures before manufacturing devices, optimizing performance and reducing processing time.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a systematic understanding of sequential deposition reaction for metal halide perovskite formation. The study used X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and cross-sectional photo-luminescence mapping to investigate the crystallization of lead iodide and perovskite film formation.
Researchers at the University of Arizona used a novel technique to observe electrons moving through crystals, shedding light on the unique properties of transition metal dichalcogenides. The study revealed that electrons move differently within and across layers, with implications for future processing technologies.
A new study reveals that allowing pets to roam outdoors can lead to a decrease in perceived environmental friendliness among bird lovers on social media. Even though property owners exhibit sustainable practices, those with outdoor cats are judged less environmentally concerned.
Researchers at KAUST have developed corrugated arrays of interdigitated back contact solar cells with screen-printed aluminum contacts that can bend without cracking. The cells have a record-breaking efficiency for both silicon solar cell efficiency and bendability.
Scientists at Berkeley Lab have unraveled the mystery of a multiplier mechanism in an organic crystal, which holds promise for dramatically boosting the efficiency of organic solar cells. The discovery explains how this reaction can occur in just tens of femtoseconds, avoiding loss of energy as heat.
Researchers have discovered a way to minimize waste in solar energy capture by designing materials that can harness previously wasted light. This breakthrough could push solar cell efficiency beyond 30%, addressing limitations of silicon-based solar cells.
Researchers have discovered that mesoporous perovskite solar cells exhibit better output stability than their planar counterparts due to the large surface area of the interface. The mesoporous structure dilutes defects, leading to a more stable power output and increased resilience to defect accumulation.
Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin discover why perovskite solar cells function despite numerous holes. The thin layer built up in the film prevents short circuits by recombination barrier and electron transport layer separation.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a new design for algae-powered fuel cells that is five times more efficient and potentially more cost-effective. The two-chamber system separates charging and power delivery processes, enabling enhanced performance and reduced electrical losses.
Renewable energy generation causes grid frequency fluctuations due to variable wind speeds and photovoltaic feed-in. Power trading appears more significant in grid frequency fluctuation than renewable feed-in, with small grids showing larger fluctuations.
Two doctoral students at the University of Kansas have demonstrated methods to improve the capture of sunlight in experiments at the Center for Design Research. By analyzing data from a year-long study on rooftop materials, they found that panels installed over green roofs performed best, generating an average of 1.4% more energy compa...
Researchers at Duke University have developed a method to create hybrid thin-film materials that can absorb and emit light efficiently. The technique, called Resonant Infrared Matrix-Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation, allows for the creation of delicate organic-inorganic crystals with improved scalability and durability.