Articles tagged with Photovoltaics
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed solar cells that can restore their effectiveness after degradation due to ultraviolet rays. The device uses a microfluidic regeneration system, mimicking the branching networks found in nature, to replenish photoactive molecules and maintain performance.
Organic solar cells have been found to improve their performance by manipulating the 'spin' of electrons, which can block energy collapse and increase current from the cell. This breakthrough could close the gap between organic and silicon solar cells, bringing large-scale deployment closer to reality.
Researchers have discovered a synthetic, high-performance polymer that improves efficiency by reducing electrical charge loss. The material's unique quantum mechanical property, electron 'spin,' enables it to 'rescue' charges from energy-losing pathways.
Researchers at the University of Basel have successfully replaced iodine in copper-based dye-sensitized solar cells with cobalt, increasing sustainability and improving long-term stability. This breakthrough uses a systems chemistry approach to optimize molecular components, paving the way for environmentally friendly energy production.
A new process, dubbed 'bio-inspired approach to thermal control,' has been developed by University of Toronto professor Ben Hatton and his colleagues. This technique involves attaching optically clear, flexible elastomer sheets to regular glass window panes, resulting in a 7-9 degree cooling effect. The innovation could lead to signifi...
A study by UC San Diego engineers found that dirty solar panels in California lost only 7.4% of their efficiency after 145 days without cleaning, resulting in a mere $20 gain in electricity production. For larger systems, the financial losses are still relatively small.
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have made a significant breakthrough in solar energy research by experimenting with plasmonic black metals. These nanostructured metals can trap light and increase solar absorption, paving the way for more efficient photovoltaic cells.
University of Minnesota engineers discover technology to produce 'electronic ink' using non-toxic nanometer-sized crystals of silicon. The research could lead to affordable electronic touch pads and home solar cells.
Researchers have developed a highly efficient solar fuel device that can produce hydrogen from sunlight, with a potential to store energy for later use. The device uses a metal oxide photo anode and a cobalt phosphate catalyst to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed the thinnest absorber of visible light, using gold nanodots to absorb almost 100% of reddish-orange light. The technology could lead to improved solar cell efficiency and reduced material costs.
Researchers at Brown University have discovered that graphene's sharp corners and jagged protrusions can pierce cell membranes, potentially disrupting normal function. The findings may help minimize the potential toxicity of graphene, a material with numerous commercial applications.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a new solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) design that increases efficiency to a record 15% without sacrificing stability. This breakthrough overcomes the inherent voltage loss of traditional DSSCs and opens a new era for DSSC development.
NREL's innovations in solar, vehicles and energy efficiency have earned three prestigious R&D 100 Awards. The Image Processing Occupancy Sensor (IPOS) detects heat loss in electric-vehicle batteries with greater accuracy, while high-efficiency silicon solar cells offer improved conversion rates.
Engineers at Oregon State University have developed a new process for making thin-film solar cells using ethylene glycol and CZTS, a compound with excellent optical properties. The approach could lead to lower costs and wider adoption of solar energy.
The GPM Core satellite completed two pre-vibration solar array deployment tests, simulating the satellite's deployment in space. The successful tests showcased the satellite's support system and air cushion design, which reduce friction and mimic how the solar array would float in space.
Researchers have developed a new method to accelerate the growth of solar cells by optimizing the coevaporation process. This technique enables faster growth stages while controlling defect formation, resulting in improved efficiency and reduced material waste. The findings, published in Advanced Energy Materials, provide valuable insi...
Researchers have developed a new method to visualize material defects in thin-film solar cells using laser light, enabling the direct mapping of defect distributions. This breakthrough could lead to improved material quality and more efficient energy production by reducing temporary traps for charge carriers.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new approach to improve solar cells by creating the thinnest and most lightweight panels possible. These panels, made from stacked sheets of one-molecule-thick materials such as graphene or molybdenum disulfide, could produce up to 1,000 times more power per pound than conventional photovoltaics.
Researchers at NREL developed a tandem cell with a gallium indium phosphide cell atop a gallium arsenide cell, achieving the new record efficiency of 31.1%. This improvement enhances photon recycling and luminescent coupling in the lower bandgap junction.
Researchers at Rice and Penn State universities have created solar cells using block copolymers, which outperform other polymer compounds as active elements. The new cells reach about 3% efficiency, surprisingly better than previous labs have achieved.
Dr Gao's project aims to reduce material waste and defects in products like photovoltaic films and micro-engineered products. The UK-based researcher will develop a high-speed inspection technique using white light spectral interferometry and signal processing.
Researchers at NIST have improved the performance of solar-powered hydrogen generation by developing a new photoelectrochemical cell design that is stable, efficient and economical to produce. The device has an efficiency of 2.9%, significantly higher than previous results.
Researchers at UB have made significant breakthroughs in developing photovoltaic cells that produce more power and cost less to manufacture. These devices use organic materials and plasmonic-enhanced technology to increase efficiency. The team aims to make solar panels as affordable as paint, paving the way for widespread adoption.
UGA researchers have developed a way to interrupt photosynthesis and capture electrons from plant cells, resulting in electrical current levels two orders of magnitude larger than previously reported systems. This technology could lead to more efficient solar panels and even competitive alternatives like plant-based systems.
A team of researchers has developed a novel material that enhances light absorption in polymer solar cells, increasing their efficiency. The material, Ag@SiO2 nanoparticles, is solution-processable and customizable on the molecular level, offering promising advantages over traditional silicon-based devices.
Researchers used a microwave oven to produce a nanocrystal semiconductor for more efficient photovoltaic solar cells and LED lights, biological sensors, and systems to convert waste heat to electricity. The method produces the material quickly and uses less toxic metals than other semiconductors.
Researchers have developed a new class of ultra-sensitive photovoltaic devices using graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides. The devices can potentially be used as ultrasensitive photodetectors or very efficient solar cells, generating electricity from sunlight absorbed by exposed walls.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new solar-cell coating that can boost efficiency to 34%, harnessing the energy of visible light to convert sunlight into electricity more efficiently. The breakthrough could lead to significantly higher solar panel performances, potentially reaching over 30% efficiency.
Thin film solar cells can be removed from a silicon substrate by dipping them in water at room temperature. The cells can then attach to almost any surface after exposure to heat of about 90°C for a few seconds.
The global solar photovoltaic (PV) industry is making positive strides in reducing its energy debt, with electricity generated by all installed PV panels likely surpassing energy used to manufacture new modules. Continued technological advances and efficient conversion of sunlight into electricity are key factors driving this progress.
Researchers at EPFL created a nanowire solar cell that captures up to 12 times more light than traditional flat solar cells, producing more energy with lower costs.
Researchers have discovered a single nanowire can concentrate sunlight up to 15 times the normal intensity, raising the potential for highly efficient solar cells. The breakthrough could lead to a significant impact on solar cell development and energy extraction.
Researchers at U of T have developed a new technique to boost the efficiency of solar cells by up to 35% through the use of nanoshells. This breakthrough could lead to more affordable and efficient solar power, as the technology already offers low-cost and large-scale production capabilities.
A team of MIT researchers has published a detailed analysis of the factors that limit the efficiency of artificial leaf systems, which could lead to the production of a commercial viable prototype. The study suggests that combining the right solar cells and catalysts can improve efficiencies of 16 percent or more.
Engineers at the University of Sheffield have developed a new technique to analyze polymer photovoltaic cells, enabling deeper understanding of their structure and efficiency. The technique, SERGIS, has been used to map the size and distance between crystallites in PCBM material, key properties for improving solar cell efficiency.
Researchers recommend doubling US energy productivity by 2030 through investments in efficiency concepts, modernizing infrastructure, and educating consumers. This can create a million new jobs, save households $1,000/year, and reduce carbon-dioxide emissions by one-third.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new passivation process that can protect silicon surfaces at room temperature, reducing energy costs and enabling the production of more efficient solar cells. This breakthrough has the potential to replace traditional silicon nitride coatings, which are currently expensive and finicky.
Researchers at Vienna University of Technology discovered a new class of materials that can be used to create highly efficient ultra-thin solar cells. The oxide heterostructures separate electrons and holes using an electric field, increasing efficiency.
A new world record efficiency of 10.7% has been achieved in thin film silicon solar cells, using less than 2 micrometers of raw material, significantly reducing material costs and energy payback time.
Computer simulations show that nanoparticles of silicon BC8 can generate multiple electron-hole pairs per photon, increasing maximum efficiency to 42% beyond conventional solar cells. Using parabolic mirrors to focus sunlight could further boost efficiency up to 70%
Researchers at Aalto University have demonstrated improved light absorption and surface passivation on highly absorbing silicon nanostructures using atomic layer coating. This breakthrough advances the development of high-efficiency solar cells, which can potentially increase efficiency to new levels.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new organic solar cell design that maximizes light trapping using a geometric pattern inspired by natural evolution. The design achieved a three-fold increase over the Yablonovitch Limit, a thermodynamic limit for photon trapping in semiconductors.
Researchers from Lund University have made a significant breakthrough in solar cell technology, demonstrating the potential for nanowires to produce 13.8% efficient energy. The nanowire solar cells can absorb sunlight more efficiently than traditional silicon cells, offering higher efficiency at a lower cost.
Assistant professor David Kisailus develops nanoscale materials using the chiton's radula, a conveyor belt-like structure with 70-80 parallel rows of teeth. The resulting materials can improve the efficiency of solar cells and lithium-ion batteries.
NREL's Silicon Photovoltaic Wafer Screening System uses thermal stress to identify weak wafers that are prone to breaking during manufacturing. The system can be retrofitted into assembly lines and has already shown potential for reducing production costs and increasing efficiency.
Scientists at NREL have developed a new type of solar cell that converts 44% of sunlight into electrical energy, surpassing previous records. The cell uses multiple layers to capture different wavelengths of light and has the potential to be used in utility-scale energy production.
Scientists found that impure domains in polymer-based organic photovoltaic cells can lead to improved performances if made sufficiently small. By studying the trifecta of ALS beamlines, they discovered a happy medium between purity and domain size that should be easier to achieve than ultra-high purity.
A team of researchers at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München has identified an old acquaintance as the missing link in regulating electron transport during photosynthesis. The enzyme, PGRL1, plays a central role in the regulation of cyclic electron flow and may help improve photosynthetic performance.
Experts predict solar power prices will continue falling through 2025, expanding greatly in the process. Continued commitment to research and development is crucial for long-term trends to sustain themselves.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have identified a new class of molecular acceptors that can be used to replace fullerenes in organic solar cells, improving their efficiency and reducing costs. This breakthrough could unlock the door to more efficient and cheaper solar cells.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a new method to create large-area absorbers using silver nanocubes, which can control the absorption of electromagnetic waves. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and cost-effective devices for applications such as sensors and solar cells.
Scientists at UCLA have created a new type of solar cell that produces energy by absorbing infrared light, making it 66% transparent. The technology is lightweight, flexible, and can be produced in high volume at low cost.
Researchers developed an all-carbon solar cell that absorbs near-infrared wavelengths, offering a low-cost alternative to traditional photovoltaic devices. The device uses carbon nanomaterials and has the potential to improve efficiency through better materials and processing techniques.
A recent study reveals that two different types of electron holes contribute to the photocurrent in hematite-based photoanodes. The discovery was made using soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy under simulated sunlight and in the dark, providing new insights into the electronic structure of hematite.
Researchers have developed tunable-refractive-index materials for solar cells, enabling customizable antireflection coatings to improve efficiency. These coatings are compatible with current manufacturing processes and show great promise for future generations of antireflection technology.
Researchers from NREL demonstrated a solar cell with external quantum efficiency exceeding 100 percent, producing up to 30% more current than conventional technology. This breakthrough harnesses the power of multiple exciton generation (MEG) to reduce heat loss and increase electrical energy.
The Stanford team installed a solar-powered research camp at Mushara waterhole in Etosha National Park, Namibia, allowing for 20 years of elephant communication study. The camp powered cameras, speaker systems, and equipment to analyze seismic signals generated by low-frequency calls.
A Yale University study found that residents in areas with existing solar installations are more likely to adopt the technology, with a 54% increase in adoption when the installed base grows by 10%. The visibility of panels and word-of-mouth also play a role in larger installations.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas are developing nanotechnology to create ultra-thin-film photovoltaic devices that convert light into electric power. By reducing the thickness of silicon from hundreds of microns to just one micron, they aim to achieve lighter and more flexible solar cells with improved efficiency.
Scientists at the University of Warwick have developed an organic solar cell with a high open circuit voltage, making it suitable for low-power electronic devices. The breakthrough technology has the potential to enable cheap, lightweight, and portable solar chargers that can be integrated into consumer electronics.