Articles tagged with Photovoltaics
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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.
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.
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.
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.
A $50 million gift from Oracle chairman Jeff Henley will fund collaboration and scientific research at UCSB's IEE and College of Engineering. The donation supports innovations in energy-efficient technologies, including LED lighting and solar cells.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a method to increase the power output of flexible, low-cost solar cells by creating microscopic folds on the surface of photovoltaic material. This technique increases the absorption of light and generation of energy, particularly in the red spectrum, where conventional solar panels st...
Researchers at Michigan Technological University discovered that adding graphene to titanium dioxide increases conductivity, bringing 52.4% more current into the circuit in dye-sensitized solar cells.
Detailed studies reveal an unusual bilayer lamellar structure in a top-performing organic photovoltaic material. This structure may contribute to the material's superior performance, offering clues for guiding the synthesis of new materials.
Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, have designed a solar cell that emits light as well as absorbs it, increasing voltage and efficiency. The new design broke the efficiency record, achieving 28.3%, with potential implications for all types of solar cells.
Researchers have discovered a low-cost, efficient alternative to silicon-based solar cells using nanotube electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells. The single-wall nanotube arrays show high electroactivity and potential for cheaper production than platinum, leading to improved efficiency and robustness.
Researchers developed a new X-ray technique to analyze the molecular structure of organic polymers used in printable electronics. They found that molecular alignment is crucial for device performance, particularly in transistors and solar cells.
Researchers at Kansas State University have developed greener solar cells that use bacteria to improve efficiency and reduce toxicity. The new technology, led by Ayomi Perera, combines a less toxic dye with a harmless bacterium to generate electricity from sunlight.
Seven Stanford research teams will receive funding from the Global Climate and Energy Project to develop new energy technologies that can significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions. The projects include all-carbon solar cells, soot-free diesel combustion, hydrogen production from glucose, and more.
A team of MIT researchers has developed a new approach to solar energy by creating 3D configurations of solar photovoltaic cells. Their results show that these structures can increase power output ranging from double to more than 20 times that of traditional flat panels, with the biggest boosts seen in locations far from the equator, i...
A Chinese team has developed a theoretical model for multiple solitary optical waves, also known as dark photovoltaic spatial solitons, which induce waveguides and can reconfigure optical beams by splitting them. The findings confirm previous research on the behavior of these solitons in photorefractive crystals.
Researchers at NIST and NRL developed a better understanding of how to optimize organic solar cell performance by varying layer thickness. The ideal layer thickness of 2 nanometers results in the best current generation, but further engineering challenges remain to be addressed.
Tiny fractal trees made from silver could lead to better, more efficient solar cells due to their large surface area. These structures will collect positively charged holes and produce electrical potential when light particles hit the polymer coat.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a new tandem polymer solar cell structure, which achieves an unprecedented power-conversion efficiency of 10.6%, surpassing previous records. The device combines multiple cells with different absorption bands to effectively harvest a broader spectrum of solar radiation.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a new method to stimulate neurons in the brain using quantum dots. This technique allows for precise control over cell activity and could provide insights into disease processes and potential treatments for conditions like Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, and severe depression.
The University of Houston assistant professors received NSF CAREER awards for their innovative work on graphene's optical properties, polymer-based cells, and environmental impact. Bao aims to confirm graphene's ability to act as an optical waveguide, while Moeller researches fundamental materials structure-property relationships.
Researchers at Stanford University have created tiny hollow spheres of photovoltaic nanocrystalline-silicon that harness physics to trap light, improving the performance of thin solar films. The nanoshells significantly increase light absorption over a broader spectrum of light.
Researchers at University at Buffalo have successfully embedded charged quantum dots into photovoltaic cells to increase their electrical output. This technology allows solar panels to harvest infrared light, leading to a significant boost in efficiency.
Paul Alivisatos, Berkeley Lab director, has won the Wolf Prize in Chemistry for his pioneering work on nanochemistry and artificial nanostructures. He shares the award with Charles Lieber of Harvard University, both recognized authorities on nanoscience and quantum dot technology.
A new analysis by Michigan Technological University researchers suggests that solar photovoltaic systems can make electricity cheaper than what consumers pay their utilities. The study reveals that previous assumptions about the cost of solar energy were overly conservative, and that the true cost of photovoltaic technology is lower th...
Recent solar panel cost reductions have led to a significant decrease in system costs, making solar energy comparable to traditional energy sources. The study estimates the true cost of solar panels at under $1 per watt, with system and installation costs varying widely.
Researchers from Fraunhofer ISE and CEA-LETI develop new substrate technology to reduce cost of producing multi-junction solar cells by up to 20%. This breakthrough enables more efficient and affordable solar energy solutions.
Oregon State University researchers have found compounds that offer new, cheap and promising options for solar energy, using the abundant element pyrite. The materials have most of the advantages of pyrite but none of its problems, making them a promising alternative.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a highly efficient method for producing transparent electrodes using silver nanowires in combination with other nanomaterials. The new electrodes are flexible and highly conductive, overcoming the limitations of indium tin oxide (ITO) materials.
A University of Houston physicist is part of a multi-institution team that has received an $18.5 million grant to develop new solar power technologies. The center aims to accelerate the US's commercialization of solar energy through cutting-edge research and partnerships with industry.
Tel Aviv University researchers have developed a new type of solar panel using nano-antennas that can convert a broader spectrum of light into electric current. This technology has the potential to improve efficiency and reduce costs, making it a viable option for green energy.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a technique to integrate compound semiconductor nanowires on silicon wafers, enabling high-performance solar cells. The approach uses densely packed arrays of tiny strands of III-V semiconductor that grow up vertically from the silicon wafer.
Researchers at University of Toronto have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the alignment of energy levels in advanced materials, enabling more efficient organic solar cells and OLEDs. This discovery is crucial for developing sustainable technologies that can secure our energy future.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratories and Penn State have developed a new solar concentrator design that improves light collection efficiency. The new design achieves near-lossless propagation for several different chromophores, enabling a more than twofold increase in concentration ratio compared to conventional LSCs.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a new material that absorbs a wide range of wavelengths, enabling more efficient solar cells. The innovative trapezoid shape could be replicated in semiconducting materials to lead to thinner, lower-cost, and more efficient solar technology.
Researchers are developing cutting-edge solutions for renewable energy and environmental research, including thousands of sensors to monitor climate change, novel LED designs that boost efficiency, and thinner solar cells. These innovations aim to make space safer by tracking space debris and improve energy sustainability.
Scientists from the University of Gothenburg have launched a GIS system called SEES to determine solar energy potential for existing structures. The system analyzes geographical data and simulates shadows to calculate annual solar radiation on roof surfaces.
Researchers from Delft University of Technology have demonstrated that mobile electrons can be produced by a single light particle in quantum dot films, increasing solar cell efficiency. Up to 3.5 free electrons are created per absorbed light particle, surviving long enough to move freely through the material.
Researchers have developed a new type of thin film solar cell that is cheaper but still efficient, using nanostructures to improve its power conversion efficiency. The cells can produce a current close to that of traditional solar cells made from costly silicon.
A new material made of carbon nanotubes provides a cost-efficient alternative to current technology, boosting the long-term viability of solar power. The material's mechanical flexibility enables integration into fabrics and clothing, paving the way for portable energy supplies.
Researchers at Delft University of Technology have developed a cheap and efficient quantum dot solar cell by understanding electron movement in linked semiconductor nanoparticles. The discovery was published on Nature Nanotechnology, paving the way for more sustainable energy solutions.
The researchers aim to create a flexible power distribution system that can adapt to changes in rooftop solar panels. They are developing a holonic multiagent system that can monitor the power grid and negotiate with other agents to maintain balance between loads and generation.
Researchers have created a new technique that accurately maps the surface composition of tiny Janus nanoparticles, allowing for better evaluation of their effectiveness in various applications. The breakthrough enables production of cleanly segregated particles, which are potentially more valuable than chemically uniform ones.
Researchers from U of T, KAUST, and Penn State created the most efficient solar cell using collodial-quatum-dots (CQD), achieving record electrical currents and power conversion efficiency. The team's innovative approach eliminated charge traps, enabling rapid electron movement and providing a path to long-term stability.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab create high-voltage photovoltaic effects in ferroelectric materials using an electronic bucket brigade. The study reveals a simple, periodic domain structure that enables efficient charge transport and increased voltage output.
The average installed cost of residential and commercial PV systems fell by 17% and 11%, respectively, between 2009 and 2010. Non-module costs also decreased, with a 18% drop from 2009 to 2010. Large utility-scale PV projects showed even lower costs, ranging from $3.80/W to $4.40/W.
Researchers have developed a novel antireflective coating using randomly oriented silicon nanowires, capturing a broad spectrum of light waves and increasing solar cell efficiency. The process is relatively inexpensive and could be scaled up for large manufacturing operations.
Optofluidics, the study of microfluidics combined with optics, is poised to revolutionize energy production. By directing light and concentrating its use, optofluidics can increase efficiency in existing systems like biofuel reactors and solar cells, as well as innovate new forms of energy production.
Scientists have developed a new type of solar cell that converts sunlight into electricity with an efficiency of 10%, outperforming conventional solar cells made from silicon. The device retained at least 95% of its sun-converting ability for 1,000 hours of testing.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have demonstrated a promising approach to creating high-efficiency nanowire solar cells using solution-based cation-exchange chemistry. The new technique produces core/shell nanowires with superior open-circuit voltage and fill factor values compared to conventional planar solar cells.
ASU is leading a $18.5 million national research center to accelerate commercialization of solar energy technologies and expand education in energy engineering. The center aims to increase the efficiency of photovoltaic devices for widespread energy distribution.
UCLA researchers have developed a plasmonic-enhanced polymer tandem solar cell that improves power conversion efficiency from 5.22% to 6.24%, thanks to the incorporation of gold nanoparticles. The enhancement effect is attained through local near-field enhancement, showing great potential for future development.
Researchers from Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft develop innovative production methods using lasers to increase efficiency and reduce costs of solar cells. Thin-film solar cells with improved quality and reduced material usage are also being produced.
Researchers at UCLA have created a novel concept for harvesting and recycling energy from LCD screens, which can convert ambient light into electricity. This technology has the potential to improve the efficiency of LCD displays and potentially harvest 75% of wasted photons from LCD backlights.
Duke University engineer Nico Hotz proposes a hybrid system that uses sunlight to heat water and methanol, producing hydrogen more efficiently than current technology. The resulting hydrogen can be stored and used as fuel, making it a promising alternative to fossil fuels.
A new solar cell design boosts electricity generation by 26% through bouncing light, increasing the potential of dye-sensitized solar cells. The layered structure, consisting of micrometer-scale spheres and nanoscale particles, enhances light absorption and conversion efficiency.