Articles tagged with Photovoltaics
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
The new nanoflower structures have a huge surface area in a small space, increasing the capacity of lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors. GeS is an attractive material for solar cells due to its ability to absorb solar energy and convert it into usable power.
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.
Researchers at University of Luxembourg develop method to observe and prevent solar cell degradation before production, improving industry efficiency. Thin film solar cells can be degraded during production, but new findings show it's reversible with quick treatment.
A team of researchers from North Carolina State University found that some mixing of donor and acceptor layers in polymer-based solar cells can increase efficiency. The study showed that controlling the mixing of domains can lead to better performance, contradicting previous assumptions that pure layers were best.
Scientists at CWRU will lead an international effort to reduce oil dependency by creating lighter, stronger materials for wind turbine blades and solar panels from biomaterials like plants, bacteria, and fungi. The project aims to educate the next generation of scientists working in sustainability.
Researchers at University of New Hampshire and Conductive Compounds Inc. are developing nanoparticles of silver suitable for screen-printing onto photovoltaic solar panels. The project aims to create more conductive and cost-effective solar panels, with potential applications in the increasing global energy market.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed a way to combine the photosynthetic protein from spinach with silicon to produce substantially more electrical current. The new design produces current levels nearly 1,000 times higher than previous biohybrid solar cells and has the potential to power small devices.
Researchers from Drexel University and The University of Pennsylvania are exploring ways to improve the efficiency, durability, and affordability of dye-sensitized solar panels. They aim to streamline electron transfer processes using carbon nanotubes and replace liquid electrolytes with more effective polymers.
Scientists at Vienna University of Technology developed a method called 3D-photografting, which allows them to attach molecules at exact positions. This technique can be used to grow artificial biological tissue with specific inner structures and create tiny three-dimensional 'labs on a chip' for sensor technology.
Engineers at Oregon State University have developed a method to use microwave heating to synthesize copper zinc tin sulfide, a promising solar cell compound. This approach saves money, works well, and can be scaled up easily compared to traditional methods.
A new video protocol has been developed to synthesize durable nanocrystals that can harvest solar energy efficiently. The technique, published in JoVE, focuses on the liquid phase synthesis of two nanocrystals that produce hydrogen gas or electricity when exposed to light.
Scientists have developed new solar-energy conversion devices using abundant, less-expensive materials like copper and zinc. These devices break records for electrical current and voltage achieved by existing solar cells, bringing the cost of electricity closer to that of coal-fired power plants.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new process to create defect-free patterns of nanocrystal films with nanoscale resolution, enabling applications in electronic devices, solar cells, and biosensors. The electrical conductivity of the films is roughly 180 times greater than that of conventional methods.
Virginia Tech engineers have developed an optimization algorithm to integrate solar technologies into smart grids, allowing for efficient energy storage and usage. The system uses real-time electricity prices and load profiles to control distributed photovoltaic power adoption, maximizing revenue for customers and utility companies.
Concentrator photovoltaics offer promising potential for low-cost electricity in the US desert southwest. The roundtable brought together stakeholders from industry, academia, and government to shape research and innovation in CPV technology.
Researchers from U of T and KAUST created a solar cell with world-record efficiency of 7.0%, increasing efficiency by 37% over previous records. The breakthrough uses hybrid passivation to improve device efficiency, opening up avenues for further research and improvement.
The new SFPV technology allows for the creation of high-quality p-n junctions in semiconductors that are difficult to dope by conventional chemical methods. Researchers demonstrate the effect in configurations using copper oxide and silicon, achieving stable electrically contacted p-n junctions.
The NIST team has created a versatile measurement system that accurately measures the electric power output of solar energy devices. The new system uses LEDs and can measure spectral response in about 4 seconds, potentially speeding up manufacturing tests for quality control.
Washington University's engineers will work on low-cost solar cells and systems, while Indian partners deploy the technology. The initiative aims to leapfrog energy production technology, moving directly to solar in under-electrified areas of India.
UCLA researchers have created a new type of transparent solar cell that can generate electricity while still allowing people to see outside. The cells, made from a photoactive plastic, absorb mainly infrared light and have nearly 70% transparency to the human eye.
A new solar photovoltaic thermal (PVT) system has been developed by Queen's University researchers, generating both electricity and heat. The system uses amorphous silicon cells, which require less material, cost less to manufacture, and offer a higher return on investment.
The University of Nottingham is part of a €10 million European project to develop cost-effective solar generated electricity. The team aims to fabricate high-efficiency solar cells using advanced thin film technologies, solving issues with current commercialized cells.
JoVE launches a new section in physics and engineering, featuring experimental disciplines and interdisciplinary fields. The first article showcases a method to fabricate thin-film solar cells, increasing potential by 45% while reducing thickness.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a nano-sandwich technique to create thinner solar cells while maintaining their ability to absorb solar energy. The new design, which uses a thin active layer surrounded by dielectric materials, significantly improves efficiency and decreases manufacturing costs.
Theoretical calculations predict a significant difference in the bandgap between ordered and fully disordered ZnSnP2 materials. Experimental measurements support these predictions, suggesting a graded solar cell system that absorbs light across a wide spectrum.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories created a solar nanowire array that can absorb a wider range of the sun's wavelengths, leading to increased efficiency. The array, grown on a phalanx of nanowires, allows for higher indium percentages and lower absorption base energies.
Scientists have developed more efficient organic solar cells by harnessing the power of polarized excitons. This breakthrough could make solar energy a cost-effective alternative to conventional sources. Researchers are exploring new materials to improve efficiency and competitiveness.
Scientists have developed a new type of nanostructured metamaterial that can dramatically change the properties of light, leading to potential breakthroughs in advanced solar cells and quantum computing. The metamaterial combines layers of silver and titanium oxide with tiny quantum dots, resulting in hyperbolic light behavior.
University of Florida physicists achieved a groundbreaking 8.6% power conversion efficiency from a graphene solar cell created in their lab by chemically treating the graphene with trifluoromethanesulfonyl-amide. This breakthrough could make graphene solar cells a contender in the market if production costs are kept low.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new, all-solid-state solar cell that exceeds the performance of traditional Grätzel cells. The device achieves an impressive conversion efficiency of approximately 10.2 percent and is stable over time, addressing key limitations of current solar technology.
The Bay Area Photovoltaic Consortium has announced a $7.5 million research grant program to develop new technologies that significantly reduce the cost of photovoltaic modules and make large-scale solar technology cheaper for electric utilities. The goal is to achieve a module cost below 50¢ per watt by 2020.
Researchers are working on a space-based solar power system that can beam energy back to Earth through microwaves or lasers, providing a constant delivery of solar energy. The project aims to target remote areas difficult to reach by traditional means, such as disaster zones or outlying regions.
A new retinal prosthesis uses tiny solar-panel-like cells and near-infrared light to stimulate photoreceptor cells and activate neurons in the retina. This device aims to help people suffering from retinal degenerative diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa.