Articles tagged with Photovoltaics
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Centre for Nanostructured Photosystems will pioneer the development of highly efficient, thin, flexible, and affordable solar cells. The centre aims to harness new clean energy sources effectively and make them commercially viable.
Scientists have designed a new type of polymer solar cell that can effectively tune its band gap and energy levels by incorporating different acceptor groups. The resulting polymers exhibit promising photovoltaic properties, with high open-circuit voltages achieved despite their varying band gaps.
A new study by UC San Diego researchers found that solar photovoltaic panels can cool buildings by up to 5 degrees Fahrenheit, reducing cooling costs by 5% over the panels' lifetime.
Prof. Eran Rabani's team at Tel Aviv University successfully dopes semiconductor nanocrystals, enabling the creation of p-n junctions in solar panels, light-emitting diodes, and other devices. The method allows for controlled electronic properties, opening up possibilities for more efficient and cost-effective applications.
Researchers at Harvard University developed a coating that improves nanowire efficiency and sensitivity for photodetectors and energy harvesting applications. The coated wires showed a 90-fold increase in photosensitivity, reducing surface recombination nearly two orders of magnitude.
Researchers at Oregon State University have successfully created CIGS solar devices using inkjet printing, reducing raw material waste by 90% and potentially lowering production costs. The new technology has the potential to produce high-performing, rapidly produced, and ultra-low-cost thin film solar electronics.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have created a tandem solar cell based on colloidal quantum dots, which can convert a broader range of sunlight into electricity. This breakthrough aims to increase efficiency and reduce costs for solar cells.
The Department of Energy has won 36 R&D100 awards for its groundbreaking projects in energy, environment and national security. These projects include advanced ceramic film capacitors, enhanced renewable methane production systems and photoacoustic spectroscopy systems for remote detection of explosives.
The company aims to develop third-generation organic solar cells using sustainable materials and flexible sheets. The new technology has the potential to provide low-cost, lightweight, and efficient solar-powered solutions for various applications.
A new study models technology complexity to predict rapid improvement. The researchers found that more complex systems change and improve slowly over time.
A University of Missouri engineer has developed a flexible solar sheet that captures more than 90% of available light, capturing both sunlight and heat for electricity generation. The team plans to make prototypes available within five years, with potential commercial applications in various industries.
Researchers assembled a team to investigate the efficiency of photosynthesis and solar cells. They found that plants are approximately 1% efficient in converting sunlight into energy, while photovoltaic arrays can achieve up to 10% efficiency.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that solar cells are more efficient than plants in capturing sunlight's energy. However, scientists aim to enhance plant efficiency using innovative approaches such as replacing photosystems with those from cyanobacteria.
Researchers have discovered a way to re-engineer plants to store solar energy more efficiently, which could lead to alternative renewable fuel sources and reduced land usage. The new approach involves manipulating the structure of plants using synthetic biology and genetic manipulation to create biological band gaps similar to those fo...
A study published in Science compares the energy conversion efficiency of photosynthesis and photovoltaics, finding that artificial systems can outperform natural ones. The researchers suggest reengineering photosynthesis to improve its ability to meet human energy needs through synthetic biology and technology.
A new 'Swiss cheese' design for thin film silicon solar cells offers improved stability and efficiency, potentially boosting industrial production. The nanostructured substrate enables strong absorption and tight spacing between electrodes.
Researchers at MIT have developed a novel method to enhance solar-cell efficiency by utilizing viruses to assemble carbon nanotubes on a surface. This technique has shown significant improvements in power-conversion efficiency, with enhancements up to 10.6 percent.
Researchers at University of Michigan discovered a way to harness the magnetic component of light to generate electricity, potentially leading to more efficient and cheaper solar power. The technology uses optical rectification to store energy in a material's magnetic moment, eliminating the need for semiconductors.
Researchers have developed a novel transparent flexible woven electrode for thin-film solar cells, which is more stable and cost-effective than traditional indium tin oxide (ITO)-based electrodes. The new electrode uses a woven polymer material with embedded metal wires to ensure electrical conductivity.
Researchers successfully fabricate and test a new type of solar cell using inorganic core/shell nanowire structures with high bandgap semiconductors. The device efficiently absorbs visible wavelength light and shows potential as an affordable and durable solar energy solution.
A new polymer-based solar-thermal device collects both solar energy and heat, providing a more efficient way to heat homes. The device has shown 30% efficiency in converting solar energy to power, outperforming standard solar cells with a conversion efficiency of up to 8%.