Articles tagged with Photovoltaics
Researchers at UC have made significant advances in harnessing solar power by developing more efficient solar cells using polymer materials. The new technology has increased the cell's efficiency by three-fold, making it a promising alternative to traditional silicon-based solar cells.
A new model developed by Iñigo de la Parra simulates power fluctuations in large grids of photovoltaic power stations, enabling operators to optimize energy efficiency and reduce costs. The model helps to comply with grid codes and provides a solution for companies setting up large-scale photovoltaic plants.
Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin developed silicon micro-funnels that absorb light more efficiently than traditional nanowire arrays. The funnels improve solar cell efficiency without requiring special manufacturing processes.
A team of researchers has developed a new sizing system for hybrid photovoltaic panel/battery systems using fuzzy logic, which can determine optimal panel surfaces and battery capacity. The system was verified through simulations and demonstrated effectiveness in optimizing cost and losses.
Researchers found that adding magnetite nanoparticles increases the performance of polymer solar cells, allowing them to convert more incident light into electrical power. The addition of heavy elements enables a material conversion that prolongs the lifetime of electron-hole pairs, leading to higher efficiency.
A team of researchers from the University of Luxembourg and TDK has improved a conductive oxide film to increase transparency in the infrared region, enabling solar cells to harness more sunlight. The breakthrough allows for stable films that retain conductivity after exposure to air for over a year.
Researchers at the University of Huddersfield have developed a new metrology system to detect tiny defects in thin films, crucial for printed electronics and solar panels. The NanoMend project aims to reduce cost and increase reliability of flexible PV cells, paving the way for wider adoption of renewable energy.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have created cheap solar cells from shrimp shells, using chitin and chitosan. The efficiency is currently low, but improving it could make them suitable for wearable chargers and other devices.
High-performance solar cells with a combination of materials like perovskite and spiro-MeOTAD are plagued by tiny pinholes, allowing water and gases to degrade the material. Researchers at OIST Graduate University believe these minuscule openings could be key to understanding the degradation of perovskite, leading to potential solutions.
Researchers have developed a hot-casting technique to grow large-area perovskite crystals, offering promising routes for low-cost, clean energy solutions. The technique yields highly efficient and reproducible solar cells with efficiencies approaching 18%, surpassing previous challenges in the field.
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a physical model explaining electron transport in nanocrystal solar cells, which could lead to improved efficiency. The model reveals that nanocrystal size can be controlled to optimize absorption of sunlight, enabling the creation of flexible and thin solar cells with higher performance.
Brian Gregg, a scientist at NREL, has been recognized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for his work on organic solar photoconversion and excitonic solar cells. His research has led to new technologies such as photoelectrochromic windows that can automatically adjust to light levels.
Researchers develop a new technique to investigate the role of material structure on organic solar cell efficiency. They find that well-organized structures do not lead to higher free electron generation rates than disorganized ones.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have identified a new material, perovskite, that can efficiently generate photovoltaic energy in various atmospheric conditions. This breakthrough has the potential to significantly reduce the costs of solar energy production.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory developed a method to create an antireflective surface on silicon solar cells using self-assembled nanotextures inspired by the structure of moths' eyes. The resulting surface reduces reflections and improves sunlight conversion, outperforming state-of-the-art coatings by up to 20%.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a novel perovskite-silicon tandem device that dramatically improves the overall efficiency of conventional silicon solar cells. The device achieves an efficiency boost of nearly 50% with relatively low cost, making it a promising solution for the renewable energy sector.
Researchers have discovered a highly sought-after material that can lead to vastly improved organic solar cell performance, increasing efficiency from 8% to 9.3%. The new discovery enables the production of cells that are double in thickness and opens up opportunities for the development of new materials with improved performance.
A team from Brookhaven National Laboratory and Columbia University has designed materials that can convert more absorbed light energy into useful electricity by producing two electrical charge carriers per unit of light. This approach enables easy manufacturing processes, including 'printing' solar-energy-producing material like ink.
Researchers at HKUST developed a novel nanobowl optical concentrator to enhance light trapping in organic photovoltaic devices. The device achieved a 28% improvement in power conversion efficiency, outperforming control devices without the nanobowl structure.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has demonstrated a four-junction solar cell with a conversion efficiency of 45.7%, surpassing previous records in photovoltaic research. The new design uses lattice-mismatched materials to achieve high efficiency and is suitable for concentrator photovoltaic systems.
Richard DeBlasio, Sarah Kurtz and Suhuai Wei have been named as new NREL Research Fellows to advise on the strategic direction of science and technology research at the laboratory. They bring extensive expertise in renewable energy, photovoltaics and computational materials science.
Researchers at Lund University used new tech to study fast solar cell processes, raising the efficiency limit to over 40%. Quantum coherence phenomenon allows for energy transfer with minimal obstacles, potentially revolutionizing solar cells.
Researchers designed networks that mimic natural forms to create efficient and durable optoelectronic devices, including solar cells and display screens. The designs improved electro-optical properties, showed high mechanical strength, and minimized light shading.
Researchers at Caltech have developed a new technology to absorb and utilize infrared light, often lost in traditional solar panels. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient solar cells and sensors that detect light using electrostatic potential.
UNSW researchers have successfully converted over 40% of sunlight into electricity, exceeding previous records. The breakthrough is made possible by a custom optical bandpass filter that captures wasted sunlight and converts it at a higher efficiency than commercial solar cells.
Researchers at Forschungszentrum Jülich develop a new method to examine light trapping in solar cells using near-field optical microscopy. They discover that the nature of nanostructures directly affects absorption rates and solar cell efficiency.
Researchers have invented a new way to spray solar cells onto flexible surfaces using colloidal quantum dots, improving efficiency and making it easier to manufacture. The spray-on solar cell technology has the potential to power three 100-Watt light bulbs or 24 compact fluorescents on a surface as large as a car roof.
Researchers fabricated a new substance from atomic sheets that interlock like Lego toy bricks, offering potential for next-generation materials. The material, made of graphene and tungsten disulfide, combines the good properties of each component layer, enabling efficient solar cells and flexible electronics.
Researchers at Northwestern University found that Blu-ray discs' quasi-random patterns enhance solar cells' light absorption and performance by up to 21.8%. The discovery could lead to new manufacturing methods for efficient solar cells.
Researchers used a scanning tunneling microscope to create atomic-scale maps of quantum dot surface structures, pinpointing defect locations that limit device performance. This breakthrough should help manufacturers tweak synthesis processes to produce higher-quality nanomaterials for photovoltaics and other applications.
Antonio Luque will receive the Karl W. Börner Solar Energy Medal of Merit at a ceremony on March 13, 2015. Luque is being recognized for his work in developing high-efficiency solar cells and stimulating the adoption of renewable energy in Spain.
Researchers identify defects in iron pyrite material as the source of inefficiency. The study provides hope for improving this promising material to make inexpensive yet efficient solar cells. By understanding the causes of this problem, scientists can design solutions to overcome it.
Researchers at INRS have developed a new class of multiferroic materials for solar cells, increasing conversion efficiency to 8.1%. The team's triple-layer coating captures different wavelengths of light, converting more light into electricity.
Researchers have found that temperature-controlled aggregation in new semi-conducting polymers enables high-efficiency organic solar cells with efficiencies up to 10.8%, paving the way for mass production and a commercially viable alternative source of energy.
Sandia National Laboratories has received a $1.2 million award to develop a technique combining metal-organic framework (MOF) materials with dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) to improve photovoltaic efficiency. MOFs' structure, versatility, and porosity help overcome DSSC limitations.
The University of Houston researcher aims to produce high-efficiency, inexpensive thin film photovoltaics with a goal of achieving 24% efficiency and 20 cents per watt. His innovative approach utilizes roll-to-roll manufacturing technology to create solar cells on low-cost metal substrates.
A UNL researcher has received a $1.2 million grant to improve the efficiency of solar cells using perovskite technology, aiming for at least 30% efficiency. The project seeks to refine silicon-based cells by overlaying them with perovskite, taking advantage of the material's natural abundance and properties.
NTNU researchers have developed a technique to produce solar cells using impure silicon, reducing energy consumption and production costs. The new method uses glass fibers coated with a silicon core, which is heated and stretched to create a thin fiber filled with silicon, resulting in lower energy requirements and fewer production steps.
A group of scientists from the US used atomic-resolution Z-contrast imaging and X-ray spectroscopy to analyze two types of dislocations in CdTe, a binary II-VI semiconductor. The study could lead to improved conversion efficiency in CdTe solar cells and advance understanding of crystal structure defects.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have created rounded crystals with no facets, resembling starfish shells. These nanolobes have potential applications in guiding light for LEDs and solar cells, as well as repelling water and dirt.
A research team led by Alejandro Briseno has developed a new polymer architecture that mimics the structure of blades of grass to improve the efficiency of organic solar cells. The breakthrough solves a major problem with energy transfer and has widespread applications for solar cells, batteries, and transistors.
Harvard University researchers demonstrate ability to paint ultra-thin coatings onto rough surfaces using thin-film interference, enabling lightweight decorative logos on spacecraft. The technology also holds promise for making flexible electronic devices and advanced solar cells.
Scientists at EPFL have created a method to convert sunlight into hydrogen using perovskite solar cells and nickel-iron catalysts, achieving an impressive 12.3% efficiency rate. This innovative approach eliminates the need for rare-earth metals in producing usable hydrogen fuel, paving the way for efficient energy storage and conversion.
A team led by Nina Mahmoudian has created a tabletop model of a robot team that can bring power to places in need. The robots can link up power cords and batteries to light or set flags, operating independently to choose the shortest path and avoid obstacles.
Researchers at MIT and Harvard University have found a way to render excitons immune to defects, improving photovoltaic devices' efficiency. The team used topological protection to create excitons that move only on the surface of materials, governed by applied magnetic fields.
Researchers at UChicago and Argonne National Lab developed a new polymer that enhances the efficiency of solar cells. The addition of PID2 improved the production of electricity by allowing charges to move more easily throughout the cell.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a new type of organic solar cell that can use virtually any metal for the electrode, effectively breaking the 'electrode barrier'. The new design allows for improved electron transport efficiency and reduced work function, making it more efficient and cost-effective.
The new epitaxial system produces up to 500 wafers per hour, reducing wafer cost to 13 cents per watt and potentially making solar energy more competitive with fossil fuels. The technology has the potential to create American jobs and stem the flow of solar cell manufacturing overseas.
Researchers at MIT have developed a solar-powered desalination system that can provide clean drinking water to villages in India. The system, which uses electrodialysis technology, is more energy-efficient and cost-effective than traditional reverse-osmosis systems.
Scientists create doped graphene nanoribbons with nitrogen atoms, enabling directional electronic current flow and solving scaling issues. The development allows for the transfer of ultra-narrow graphene ribbons onto non-conductive materials, paving the way for future graphene-based electronics.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a new route to making graphene through intercalation, allowing for the creation of single-layer sheets without damaging the layers. This breakthrough could lead to easier and more efficient production of graphene for various industrial applications.
A Northwestern University research team has created a new type of CNT solar cell that absorbs more sunlight, increasing efficiency by a significant margin. The polychiral CNT mixture is able to capture a broader range of solar-spectrum wavelengths, including near-infrared light.
The research team has found that larger surface areas of cells lead to reduced performance, but can be overcome by building modules with smaller cells connected in series or parallel. They have also developed a new automatic structuring technique to connect cells without damaging the substrate.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have observed ultrafast charge transfer in MX2 materials, a new family of 2-D semiconductors. The recorded charge transfer time is comparable to the fastest times for organic photovoltaics, opening up potentially rich new avenues for photonics and optoelectronics.
Researchers have developed a semi-artificial leaf that outperforms natural photosynthesis, achieving higher photocurrents and electron transfer rates. This breakthrough enables the development of cheaper and flexible solar cells for various applications, including micro-sized medical devices.
A team of researchers has developed a method to determine the absolute value of charge formation efficiency in organic photovoltaic cells, enabling high-throughput screening of materials. The technique, combining two types of spectroscopy, reveals a high charge formation efficiency even at low temperatures.
A system proposed by MIT researchers recycles materials from discarded car batteries to produce long-lasting solar panels, providing emissions-free power. The production process uses a compound called perovskite, which has achieved power-conversion efficiency of over 19 percent.
Researchers at UMass Amherst develop a water-based method to control molecular assembly of nanoparticles, reducing the need for toxic solvents and increasing efficiency. The new technique enables faster, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly production of organic photovoltaics and other electronic devices.
NREL's breakthroughs in silicon solar cells and ultra-efficient supercomputers have been recognized by the R&D Magazine with two prestigious awards. The innovative growth system produces thin solar cells at half the cost and 100 times the speed of conventional epitaxial reactors.
Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have created a semiconductor structure consisting of two ultra-thin layers, tungsten diselenide and molybdenum disulphide, which exhibits excellent optoelectronic properties. This material has the potential to be used in future low-cost solar cells with improved efficiency and flexibility.