Researchers at the University of Luxembourg have redefined the understanding of van der Waals interactions, discovering they can be repulsive in confined spaces. This new paradigm could have implications for pharmaceutical delivery, water desalination and photovoltaic devices.
A new study estimates that air pollution and dust are cutting global solar energy production by more than 25% in certain parts of the world, with China, India, and the Arabian Peninsula being the hardest hit. The regions experiencing heavy losses are also those investing the most in solar energy installations.
The NAWI Graz researchers have developed a method to measure plasmon fields in three dimensions, enabling the focus of light at the nanoscale. This breakthrough could lead to new applications in sensor technology, photovoltaics, and computer storage.
Ames Laboratory scientists are developing low-dimensional nanomaterials to enhance the performance of solar cells, TV displays, and computer technology. The goal is to broaden the science of these materials and explore their properties.
Researchers at University of Michigan develop cost-effective material to capture near-infrared light in solar cells, making concentrator photovoltaics more efficient and practical for large-scale electricity generation. The new alloy is significantly less expensive than previous formulations and enables easier manufacturing.
A new technology developed by Dr. Mahmoud Dhimish could enable clusters of houses to share their solar energy, reducing the need to export surplus electricity to the grid. The system uses 'demand diversity' among adjacent dwellings and energy storage to optimize energy usage.
Researchers have discovered a new chemical method to incorporate graphene into various applications, maintaining its unique properties. The method allows for the attachment of nanomaterials without distorting graphene's arrangement, enabling integration with other systems.
Scientists used computational models to investigate heterostructured nanoparticles and found that atomistic defects can jeopardize solar cell performance. They predicted a new material with improved optical properties, opening doors for more efficient energy conversion.
Andreas Hirsch aims to develop new areas of application for black phosphorus, which could make batteries last longer or enable solar cells to produce more electrical energy. His research may lead to the generation of new fields of application for the substance, including the development of more powerful and efficient batteries.
Researchers developed a new perovskite material that overcomes water sensitivity, creating stable and efficient solar cells with a ten percent efficiency rate. The material's ability to self-organize in an edge-standing structure increases electron circulation, improving energy conversion.
Researchers have found a new compound that can be used to create highly efficient perovskite solar cells, with efficiency rates of over 22% compared to traditional silicon-based cells. The discovery was made using a spin coating technique and has the potential to revolutionize the field of photovoltaics.
New research reveals the mechanism behind perovskite solar cell breakdown in air, which causes significant degradation and reduces their efficiency. By understanding this process at an atomic scale, scientists have proposed possible solutions to engineer defects out of the material.
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 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 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.