Articles tagged with Photovoltaics
A team of researchers from Case Western Reserve University used data science to predict the deterioration of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films in solar panels. The study, published in PLOS ONE, combines engineering epidemiology and statistical-data analytics to develop predictive models for environmentally exposed applications.
Researchers created photonic hypercrystals to control light-matter interaction, increasing light emission rate and intensity. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in Li-Fi, solar cells, and quantum information processing.
Researchers have successfully doped organic single crystals with a new ultra-slow deposition technique, achieving high doping efficiency and detecting the Hall effect signal. This achievement marks the dawn of organic single crystal electronics, paving the way for future devices like high-performance solar cells.
EPFL scientists have found that light plays a crucial role in controlling the morphology of perovskite crystals, leading to improved photovoltaic performance. The study reveals that the presence of light accelerates the formation of perovskites and enhances crystal growth.
A new class of monolithically integrated, portable PV-battery systems has been developed using high-efficiency silicon solar cells and printed solid-state lithium-ion batteries. The device can power electric devices under sunlight or in the absence of light, offering exceptional photo-electrochemical performance and design compactness.
Researchers at Kobe University developed a new solar cell structure that can absorb spectral components of longer wavelengths, increasing energy conversion efficiency to over 50%. The design achieved up-conversion based on two photons, reducing energy loss by over 100 times compared to previous methods.
Scientists at NREL have achieved a new solar-to-hydrogen (STH) efficiency record of 16.2%, significantly improving upon the 14% efficiency set in 2015. The breakthrough, published in Nature Energy, involves an inverted metamorphic multijunction semiconductor architecture that enhances device efficiency and durability.
Research from Binghamton University found that adjusting solar panel angles four to five times a year can provide around 25 kW/m2 more power than seasonal adjustments. This practical solution can help reduce costs associated with automated tracking systems, making manual adjustment an economical option.
The Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) has developed the world's first full-size IBC bifacial solar module, capable of producing up to 400 Watts of electric power. The module features a double-glass structure, low-temperature interconnections, and high-efficiency ZEBRA solar cells.
Researchers have developed a new class of semiconductor materials that can be used as light absorbers in solar cells, potentially using one hundred times less material than silicon. These materials have superior performance, reduced toxicity, and show promise for developing high-performance optoelectronic devices.
The UPV/EHU's Advanced Control Group has successfully developed a sliding mode controller to maintain maximum power point of solar panels despite changes in irradiation and load. This control system offers improved efficiency compared to traditional algorithms, which cause oscillating working points and diminish efficiency.
A team of scientists from Lund University has successfully created an iron-based molecule capable of emitting light. The breakthrough could lead to the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly materials for solar cells, lighting, and displays.
A new study reveals that financialization in the US impaired its emerging solar industry, while Japan's photovoltaics manufacturers thrived. This case study highlights the conflicting relationship between finance and production, and calls for policies that bring productive and financial capital together to support low-carbon industries.
The study reveals how simple organic citrate ions can interact with gold atoms to yield stable nanoparticles. These clusters are useful as catalysts, drug delivery systems, anti-cancer agents, and components of solar cells.
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have made breakthrough discoveries on quantum dot materials using ultrafast electro-optical spectroscopy. The study reveals the cause of a significant voltage drop in quantum dots, allowing for potential improvements in device efficiency.
Researchers have confirmed that doping spiro-OMeTAD with LiTFSI prevents holes from getting trapped, allowing them to move freely and generate electrical current. This process was observed using electron spin resonance spectroscopy and demonstrated a two-order-of-magnitude increase in the number of electron spins.
Researchers used quantum dots to study transport within cells, observing both fast and slow movements. They found that faster particles move through openings in a dynamic network of protein tubules, while slower ones are caught in the same network.
Researchers developed a new method to capture and analyze individual cells from a small sample of blood using graphene oxide sheets. The system demonstrates high efficiency in capturing specific immune cells that are markers for certain cancers, with an estimated production cost of $5 per device.
The development of efficient luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) using silicon nanoparticles has the potential to create photovoltaic windows that can capture over 5% of the sun's energy at unprecedented low costs. The technology, developed by researchers from the University of Minnesota and University of Milano-Bicocca, uses silico...
Scientists from NREL found that surface recombination significantly affects the performance of polycrystalline perovskite solar cells. The study suggests that improving surface properties could lead to more efficient devices, with potential applications in photodetectors and light-emitting diodes.
Researchers have laid the foundations for a new type of photovoltaic cell that uses infrared radiation to generate electrical energy. The solid-state solar cell relies on polaron excitations, which combine electron excitation with lattice vibrations, allowing for more efficient energy conversion. By modifying and optimizing the materia...
Researchers have developed a new nano-sized semiconductor that concentrates visible light energy, increasing the efficiency of solar cells. This breakthrough doubles current efficiencies to at least 40%, offering benefits in energy efficiency and design.
Scientists at NREL developed a method to improve the stability and activity of photoelectrochemical water-splitting devices, which can produce hydrogen from sunlight. The new approach uses a bilayer of titanium dioxide and molybdenum sulfide to protect the photocathode from acidic solutions.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have directly measured the diffusion length of perovskite solar films, showing that electrons can travel long distances without deteriorating. The findings suggest that solar cells could be made thicker without harming their efficiency, potentially leading to better solar panels.
Researchers have discovered a way to overcome the limitations of 2D materials in photovoltaics by adding a plasmonic metasurface, increasing absorption and efficiency. This innovation has huge implications for the future of optoelectronics, potentially revolutionizing the marketability of devices.
Researchers used bright X-rays to observe the one-step solution-coating process of perovskite material, identifying a crucial intermediate solid state. This discovery highlights the importance of solvent-solute interactions in halide perovskites, which significantly impacts film formation behavior and solar cell performance.
Researchers found that small solar cells under the skin can generate enough power to fully charge pacemakers or extend their lifespan. This technology has the potential to reduce device replacements and size, saving patients discomfort and stress.
A new study has found that iodide-based perovskites produce a gaseous form of iodine during operation, causing further degradation of the material. The researchers suggest that developing new materials with reduced iodine concentrations or reinforced structures could help address this issue.
Researchers have developed environmentally friendly organic solar cells using nanomaterials, increasing efficiency and reducing toxic substances. Additionally, hybrid capacitors with enhanced storage capacity and faster charging capabilities have been created using nano-diamond composites, paving the way for more efficient energy stores.
Scientists have developed a graphene-based imaging system that can visualize tiny electric fields in liquids, allowing for precise imaging of electrical signaling networks in the heart and brain. The new method could aid in diagnosing diseases, developing lab-on-a-chip devices, and studying optoelectronics.
A simple electrical doping technique could reduce the cost of polymer solar cells and organic electronic devices, enabling new applications for these technologies. The new process enables efficient single-layer solar cells, potentially transforming wearable devices and small-scale distributed power generation.
Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology developed a new type of solar cell using perovskite material. The addition of a thin layer of aluminum oxide improved the stability of the cell against humidity and increased its yield by 3%.
Researchers at the University of New South Wales achieved a 12.1% efficiency rating for a 16 cm2 perovskite solar cell, making it the largest single certified with the highest energy conversion efficiency. The team has also demonstrated an 18% efficiency rating on smaller cells and plans to extend durability.
Scientists at the University of Surrey achieved record power conversion efficiencies for large area organic solar cells, outperforming traditional inorganic solar cells. The innovative cells can be printed in different colors and shapes, making them ideal for powering devices on-the-go, such as Internet of Things applications.
Researchers from Berkeley Lab developed a way to image thin-film solar cells in 3D using optical microscopy, revealing internal obstacles that can trap electrons and reduce efficiency. The method has already improved understanding of the benefits of treating CdTe solar cells with cadmium chloride.
Researchers at Australian National University have developed a new way to fabricate high-efficiency semi-transparent perovskite solar cells, which can improve the performance of conventional silicon solar cells. The new fabrication method could increase power output by up to 25% and achieve efficiencies of up to 30%.
Scientists have developed a new design for solar cells made from perovskite, achieving an average steady-state efficiency of 18.4%. The innovative tandem solar cell combines two types of perovskite into one photovoltaic cell, absorbing nearly the entire spectrum of visible light and outperforming traditional silicon-based solar cells.
Scientists at MIPT create ultrastrong material by applying high pressure to multiwall carbon nanotubes, forming bonds between them. The resulting material retains the durability of original nanotubes, making it suitable for harsh conditions.
Researchers from Stanford and Oxford have created a novel perovskite solar cell design that converts sunlight into electricity with an efficiency of 20.3 percent, rivaling silicon solar cells on the market today.
Researchers developed a new method to model microgrids using Hybrid Petri Net (HPN), allowing for efficient operation under various conditions. This analysis helps engineers estimate time and cost required for grid component switching, enabling improved microgrid design.
Researchers at NREL discovered a method to stabilize an all-inorganic perovskite material at room temperature, increasing its stability and efficiency. The new solar cells convert sunlight into electricity with 10.77 percent efficiency, surpassing other reported all-inorganic perovskite solar cells.
Researchers at UNIST developed a new type of organic solar cell that maintains up to 80% of its initial efficiency after 60 days in high-temperature conditions. The team used a macromolecular additive to improve and stabilize the device performance, yielding unprecedented power conversion efficiency.
Scientists at OIST Graduate University have developed a technique to visualize electrons in a material, allowing them to study the dynamic of electron movement and its effects on semiconductor devices. By creating a video of electron motion, researchers can now describe the phenomenon without interpreting data.
Scientists have made a significant advance toward more practical, environmentally friendly solar cells using inexpensive halide perovskite materials. The new cells have a power conversion efficiency of 15 percent and contain 60% less lead than traditional cells, representing a major step towards sustainable energy solutions.
Efficient organic solar cells have been created using a non-fullerene material, achieving high energy efficiency rates of up to 9.5%. This breakthrough indicates that the intrinsic limitations of organic solar cells are comparable to other photovoltaic technologies, paving the way for commercialization.
Scientists at Oxford University have developed a non-toxic solvent system that can be used to manufacture perovskite solar cells, overcoming a major barrier to their commercialization. The clean solvent quickly crystallizes perovskite films at room temperature, making it suitable for coating large solar panels.
Researchers at OIST have made significant breakthroughs in perovskite solar cells, improving efficiency, stability, and scalability. New post-annealing treatments and manufacturing methods have increased conversion efficiency to 18.4%, while discovering new decomposition products has led to the development of more stable materials.
Researchers developed a transparent metal electrode with improved efficiency, using fractal-like nano-features inspired by leaf veins. The new design combines low surface coverage and ultra-low resistance, surpassing conventional indium tin oxide layers.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new solar cell that combines two layers to harvest more of the sun's energy, reaching theoretical efficiencies above 40 percent. The device can be manufactured at a fraction of the cost due to a novel low-cost manufacturing process, making it ready for commercialization within the next year or two.
Researchers at MIT and SUTD used light to print 3D structures that can remember their original shapes after being stretched, twisted, and bent. The structures can be printed with micron-scale features and have potential applications in biomedical devices, soft robotics, and solar panel tracking.
Researchers from NIST discovered a 'sweet spot' for mass-producing polymer solar cells, exceeding 9.5% power conversion efficiency, without sacrificing performance. The findings suggest that high-volume production methods can yield efficient photovoltaic devices with greater structural variability.
Karlsruhe researchers created a new piggyback structure for metal-organic frameworks that enables photon upconversion, transforming low-energy photons into high-energy photons. This process has potential applications in solar cells and LEDs, increasing efficiency and reducing limitations.
A team of scientists has discovered a class of materials that can surpass the Shockley-Queisser limit, allowing for more efficient solar cell conversion. By using a barium titanate crystal, they were able to extract power from a small portion of the sunlight spectrum with higher efficiency than previously thought possible.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison have created high-performance, micro-scale solar cells that outshine comparable devices in key performance measures. The new, small cells capture current from charges moving side-to-side and generate significantly more energy than other sideways solar systems.
Scientists at ORNL discover the optimal ratio of selenium in cadmium-tellurium solar cells, increasing efficiency from 22% to near-theoretical levels. The alloy composition of 50% cadmium, 25% tellurium and 25% selenium performed best.
Researchers from Aalborg University have developed a heat-resistant device made of tungsten and alumina layers that can absorb sunlight across a broad spectrum, enabling more efficient energy conversion. The device can operate at high temperatures and absorb light from UV to near-infrared wavelengths.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have developed a solar cell that captures CO2 and sunlight to produce hydrocarbon fuel. The 'artificial leaf' technology solves two crucial problems simultaneously by converting atmospheric carbon dioxide into fuel, making it a game-changer for energy production.
Researchers at OU are developing novel technologies for next-generation solar cells with potential to increase global energy capacity and reduce fossil fuel dependence. They aim to control thermal losses and harness more of the sun's energy using 'hot' carrier solar cells.
Researchers found that moisture in the air enhances perovskite solar cells' performance by redistributing a dopant, increasing electric properties. However, prolonged exposure to moisture can be detrimental.
The researchers successfully created dye-sensitized solar cells with inkjet-printed photovoltaic dyes, achieving efficiency and durability comparable to traditional methods. The printed solar cells endured over 1,000 hours of continuous light and heat stress without degradation.