Articles tagged with Photovoltaics
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Researchers from UC Berkeley found that a photovoltaic array using compressed hydrogen for energy storage can efficiently power human missions on Mars. The system beats out nuclear power across about 50% of the Martian surface.
A new study by UC Berkeley scientists finds that solar photovoltaics can provide sufficient power for extended Mars missions, outperforming nuclear fusion reactors in over 50% of the planet's surface. This breakthrough provides a more practical solution for long-term human settlements on Mars.
Researchers have developed perovskite solar cells with improved efficiency and stability thanks to the addition of ferrocene layers. The devices can now reach 25% efficiency, approaching traditional silicon cells, and maintain over 98% of their initial performance after 1,500 hours.
Scientists at KAUST have studied charge carrier behavior in perovskite thin films using laser pulses and terahertz radiation. They found that increased density of charge carriers narrows the energy gap for electrons to be excited by light, and charge carriers become more localized at higher densities.
A new machine learning-based system developed by MIT and Stanford researchers enables the rapid development of optimized production methods for perovskite-based solar cells. The system has already led to the manufacturing of cells with an energy conversion efficiency of 18.5 percent, a competitive level for today’s market.
Researchers at the University of Cologne and the University of Wuppertal have developed a tandem solar cell that achieves an unprecedented 24% efficiency, outperforming previous records. The innovative design combines organic and perovskite-based absorbers with an indium oxide interconnect to minimize losses.
Researchers at MIT and NREL have designed a thermophotovoltaic cell that converts heat to electricity with over 40% efficiency, surpassing traditional steam turbines. The new design could enable a fully decarbonized power grid by storing excess energy from renewable sources.
Researchers at Kyoto University have developed a new type of organic solar cell that generates electricity efficiently even with a relatively low offset of 0.1 eV. This breakthrough offers a promising solution for the production of more efficient and flexible solar panels, potentially reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.
Researchers propose a novel pathway to realizing hot carrier solar cells, which can exceed the typical efficiency limit on solar cells. The approach involves isolating hot carriers within higher energy valleys in semiconductors, reducing energy loss to heat.
Researchers developed a photovoltaic cell that harnesses energy from temperature differences between the cell and surrounding air, generating 50 milliwatts per square meter at night. The device avoids need for batteries and can be incorporated into existing solar cells, making it suitable for remote locations with limited resources.
This special issue of Energy Material Advances highlights recent progress in synthesizing and tuning perovskite nanocrystals and other emerging nanocrystal materials. Research focuses on fundamental understanding of doping, synthesis, and spectroscopy, as well as applications in solar cells and light-emitting diodes.
Researchers developed a full-function bioelectronic photocell using genetically modified proteins attached to a carbon nanotube. The system can change its electronic properties in response to light, operating as a spotlight or memory cell. This discovery opens the door to environmentally friendly electronic elements, memory devices, an...
Researchers at the University of Surrey have developed a new design for ultra-thin photovoltaic panels that absorbs over 65% of sunlight, outperforming previous records. The innovative honeycomb structure enables efficient light absorption from any angle, trapping light inside the solar cell and generating more energy.
Researchers developed tiny sensor-carrying devices inspired by dandelion seeds to monitor environmental conditions like temperature and humidity. The devices can travel up to 100 meters on a breeze, share data wirelessly up to 60 meters away, and power themselves using solar panels.
Researchers found that a common surface treatment creates an electron-rich surface that destabilizes the perovskite solar cells, leading to degradation. A new method using positively and negatively charged ions resolves this issue, allowing for more stable solar cells with up to 87% efficiency retention.
Researchers develop NAnocrystalling Transport path in Ultrathin dielectrics for REinforcing passivating contact to overcome surface passivation and conductivity tradeoffs. The new contact consists of three-layer structures made up of silicon nanoparticles sandwiched between two layers of oxygen-rich SiOx.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new system that can automatically clean solar panels without using water, reducing dust accumulation's impact on efficiency. The system uses electrostatic repulsion to detach dust particles, improving overall power output and potentially saving $200,000 in annual revenue.
Researchers at KAUST developed a multilayered perovskite-based film that shields high-performance solar cells from extreme heat and moisture while boosting their long-term stability. The 2D perovskite capping layer improves the resistance of unsealed devices against thermal stress and moisture.
Researchers improve solar cell performance predictions by analyzing terahertz and microwave spectroscopy data, enabling more accurate assessments of material quality. This advancement can quickly test new semiconducting materials for their potential suitability.
Scientists in Saudi Arabia developed a solar-driven system that uses hydrogel to condense water from air while generating electricity. The system successfully grew spinach in a hot climate, producing over 2 liters of water and 1,519 watt-hours of electricity.
Researchers have successfully combined perovskite with silicon in a tandem cell, achieving an efficiency of 21.3%. The team estimates the PCE to be 29.5%, with potential for further improvement through surface optimization.
Researchers use ARPES to study quasi-one-dimensional metallic TaSe3 and observe multiple mobile excitons manifested as sidebands. The excitons have different internal structures depending on the involvement of holes and electrons from the same chain or neighboring ones.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a hybrid device that combines living organisms with bio batteries to produce stored energy under light conditions. The technology, known as microbial electro photosynthesis, has the potential to power a wide range of products, including transportation fuels and cosmetics.
Researchers demonstrate a two-terminal tandem solar cell with enhanced efficiency through spectrum splitting, achieving a 5-6% gain in absolute efficiency. The design uses planar and Lambertian spectral splitters to effectively distribute sunlight among the top and bottom cells.
A new approach using an array of series-connected solar cells as detectors simplifies underwater optical data links, offering a cost-effective and low-energy way to transmit data underwater. The system demonstrated the highest bandwidth ever achieved for a commercial silicon solar panel-based optical communication system.
Researchers have developed a new approach to fabricate ultrathin solar cells using disorder-engineered AgBiS2 nanocrystals, achieving absorption coefficients up to 5-10 times greater than existing materials. This breakthrough enables the creation of high-efficiency, low-cost, and lightweight solar cells.
A team from UNIGE and Empa recommends a domestic generation mix of wind and photovoltaic energy to reduce Switzerland's contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions. The scenario would enable the country to reduce its footprint by an estimated 45%.
Pusan National University researchers demonstrate the effectiveness of integrating a radiative cooler with a multi-junction solar cell, achieving a 6°C temperature drop and a 2% increase in open-circuit voltage. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and eco-friendly solar cells, paving the way for renewable energy sources.
Scientists from University of Würzburg create custom-made nanographene with cavities to hold smaller PAHs, forming two- and three-layer complexes in solution. They also isolate pairs as solids, leading to promising results for solar cells
A new study by University of Bath researchers suggests that installing solar panels on historic buildings like Bath Abbey could significantly reduce energy bills and carbon emissions. The proposed system would generate around 45 Mega-Watt hours per year, saving approximately 10 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
The study found that trace solvent additives enhance ordering and crystallization of polymer microstructure, increasing power conversion and photocurrent density by up to 3 times. This improvement helps form a network that efficiently transports photogenerated charges, increasing local photocurrents.
Researchers developed novel SnO2 QDs that passivate the buried interface, control crystallization, and provide a favorable electronic and physical interfacial contact. These devices achieved high PCEs and record efficiencies in upscaling blade-coated perovskite systems.
The NUS research team achieved a power conversion efficiency of 23.6% in their perovskite/organic tandem solar cells, approaching that of conventional silicon solar cells. This breakthrough paves the way for flexible, light-weight, and low-cost photovoltaic cells suitable for various applications.
Scientists have developed a new technique called small-molecule serial femtosecond X-ray crystallography (smSFX) that can reveal the structures of not-so-neat-and-tidy materials. This method uses an exceptional X-ray laser and custom-built image processing algorithms to diffract individual granules of powders, providing a precise sharp...
Researchers have developed a new approach to determine the structures of tiny crystals relevant to chemistry and materials science. The new method, called smSFX, uses ultrafast pulses from an X-ray free-electron laser to collect structural information before damage sets in.
Researchers at West Virginia University have created a simple microwave catalytic process to upcycle single-use plastics into high-value benzene, toluene, and xylene. This technology aims to increase the recycling rate of plastic waste and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by providing an alternative source of petrochemical materials.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science developed a high-quality crystalline interface using quasi-homo-epitaxial growth, which eliminated mobility issues and enabled spontaneous electron transfer. This breakthrough could lead to highly efficient flexible solar cells and wearable electronic devices.
KTU researchers have developed new materials that significantly improve the stability and efficiency of perovskite solar cells. The new materials use a passivation method to prevent degradation, achieving an efficiency of 21.4% in record-breaking solar modules.
A new rapid thermal evaporation method was developed to deposit high-quality CdSe thin films, enabling the creation of efficient CdSe solar cells. The study achieved an efficiency of 1.88% in a Si-based tandem configuration, demonstrating potential for high-performance solar cells.
Scientists from University of Cambridge created a new method to stabilize the perovskite material for solar cells, resulting in improved performance and stability. The approach uses an organic molecule as a 'template' to guide the material into its desired phase, achieving a near-perfect bandgap without compromising cost.
Toshiba has successfully raised the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of its transparent Cu2O solar cell to 8.4%, a world record for a reported Cu2O solar cell. The company estimates that an overall PCE of 27.4% can be achieved, notably above the 26.7% highest PCE reported for any standard silicon cell.
Researchers have successfully incorporated phosphorene nanoribbons into new types of solar cells, achieving an efficiency above 21%, comparable to traditional silicon-based solar cells. The unique properties of PNRs, including improved hole mobility, enable the creation of high-performance optoelectronic devices.
Researchers from Forschungszentrum Jülich have developed a perovskite solar cell with exceptional stability, retaining 99% of its initial efficiency after 1450 hours of operation. The new design features a double-layer polymer structure that protects the contact point and ensures stable conductivity.
A new database has been launched to systematically record findings on perovskite semiconductors, featuring over 42,000 individual data sets and analysis tools for interactive exploration. The FAIR principles guide the preparation of the data, enabling easy searching with modern algorithms and artificial intelligence.
Researchers at MIT and Google Brain developed a system that predicts how changing materials or designs will improve solar cell performance. The new simulator, called differentiable solar cell simulator, provides information on which changes will provide desired improvements, increasing the rate of discovery of new configurations.
Researchers at WVU are creating control software for aerial robots to survey Venus' atmosphere, helping model the evolution of climate on Earth. The aerobots will use a hybrid airship design and energy-efficient paths to explore the planet's surface.
A KAUST-led team reviewed strategies for mitigating damage to transparent electrodes in optoelectronic components. The team identified buffer layers as a potential solution, with strengths and weaknesses of different materials and techniques for creating them.
Researchers at Linköping University and Soochow University have developed a method to produce energy-efficient organic solar cells using green solvents, achieving a record efficiency of over 17%. The breakthrough enables the manufacture of larger areas of solar cells with high efficiency, paving the way for commercial-scale outdoor use.
Scientists discover a promising approach to creating solid materials for photon upconversion, which can transform wasted long-wavelength light into more useful shorter wavelength light. The new van der Waals crystal solution exhibits outstanding performance and efficiency, enabling the development of novel photonic technologies.
A team of scientists from GIST developed an AI-based approach to analyze and extract user behavior data, estimating the optimal demand response management for each household. The study showcases how AI can improve electricity consumption, leading to lower prices and a smaller carbon footprint.
A team of chemists at MIT has developed a method to control the blinking phenomenon in quantum dots using mid-infrared laser light, eliminating intermittency for precise applications. This technique may also be applicable to other materials, enabling new uses in biological research and quantum information science.
A new study found that research and development on chemistry and materials science were key factors behind the significant cost decline of lithium-ion batteries. The analysis revealed that over 50% of the cost reduction came from R&D activities, with chemistry and materials research being the primary contributors.
Perovskite materials have emerged as promising alternatives to crystalline silicon for producing solar panels. Despite defects that reduce performance, perovskites show impressive efficiency levels comparable to silicon alternatives. Researchers used multimodal microscopy methods to visualize and explain the complex interactions betwee...
Researchers discovered that sunlight contracts the space between atomic layers in 2D perovskites, improving photovoltaic efficiency and stability. The new material shows a threefold increase in electron conduction and is less prone to degradation.
Researchers at the University of Basel have developed a new family of iron-based sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells, promising a low-cost supplement to traditional photovoltaic systems. The new materials achieve overall efficiency of 1 percent, but represent a milestone in further research and development.
A new study models the viability and impact of window-integrated photovoltaics at a city scale, showing that buildings in Melbourne could provide up to 74% of their own electricity needs through comprehensive adoption of existing rooftop PV technology. The researchers also highlight the potential for emerging solar windows and building...
Researchers identified bacteria and yeast on photovoltaic panels in Brazil, similar to those found in Spain, the US, Arctic, and Antarctic. The microorganisms have adapted to sunlight, temperature fluctuations, and water scarcity, making them suitable for biotech applications.
Researchers at NTNU have developed a method for making ultra-high material efficient solar cells using semiconductor nanowires, which could potentially double the efficiency of today's Si solar cells. The new technique uses gallium arsenide (GaAs) material in a very effective way through nanostructuring.
Researchers introduce an electron linker engineering strategy to improve the performance of all-polymer solar cells. The new system shows remarkable efficiency, stability, and mechanical properties compared to traditional materials.
Researchers develop a more accurate mathematical model to predict solar cell output power, considering degradation and external factors. The new model will aid policymakers in making informed decisions on solar power installations.