Researchers have characterized five different defect types in perovskite solar cells, revealing that a large proportion of defects release trapped charge carriers. This finding may explain the high efficiencies of MAPI perovskites and paves the way for optimizing these materials with improved stability.
The study maps 130 million km² of global land surface area to identify 0.2 million km² of rooftop area, analyzing its electricity generation potential at a cost of $40-280 per megawatt-hour. The greatest potential is in Asia, North America, and Europe.
Researchers have discovered a way to significantly increase the efficiency of solar cells by harnessing excess energy and storing it before it's lost as heat. This breakthrough could raise the industry standard limit from 30% to over 60%, addressing one of the major challenges in commercial solar cells.
Researchers create a novel framework for generating and detecting Lamb waves in transparent materials without damaging the sample. They use laser-induced plasma shock waves and high-speed polarization cameras to spot microscopic scratches, demonstrating potential for non-contact damage detection.
A team of researchers from the University of Cambridge has identified a key loss pathway in organic solar cells that reduces their efficiency. By manipulating molecules inside the solar cell, they found a way to suppress this pathway and potentially overcome the hurdle for organic solar cells to compete with silicon-based cells.
Researchers synthesized a new conjugated polymer using two chemical reactions, showing it outperforms traditional methods in organic and perovskite solar cells. The Stille reaction pathway yielded superior results with efficiencies of up to 15.1% in photovoltaic devices.
Researchers have solved the mystery of chlorine's role in perovskite solar cells by imaging atoms at the surface. The team found that chlorine is incorporated into the material through grain boundaries, increasing stability and efficiency. An optimal concentration of chlorine was discovered to deliver high stability.
A European project developed standard solutions for energy refurbishment, considering various climate zones. These packages include prefabricated façades, decentralized ventilation systems, and smart ceiling fans to reduce energy consumption and improve comfort. Pilot sites showed significant savings and improvements in tenant well-being.
Scientists at Empa have pushed flexible solar cell efficiency to a new limit, achieving 21.4% conversion rate. The study's findings also show that the technology remains stable after exposure to combined heat and illumination.
A study from KAUST found that interface and bandgap engineering can significantly slow down the relaxation of 'hot' electrons in semiconductors, increasing their lifetimes. This innovation has potential applications in solar cells, which could improve efficiency by reducing heat loss.
Researchers have developed an AI-powered tool, Roofpedia, to track sustainable roof adoption worldwide. The tool uses satellite images to gauge cities' green and solar roof penetration, with Singapore ranked third in solar roof coverage.
A study published by Sandia National Laboratories reveals that older solar farms are more susceptible to extreme weather events, while snowstorms have the highest impact on electricity production. Machine learning analysis also found that low sunlight levels due to cloud cover and geographical features of the farm are significant factors.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new near-field thermophotovoltaics system, enabling much greater power output than traditional methods. The breakthrough could provide compact and higher efficiency power sources for soldiers on future battlefields.
Researchers at Pusan National University have developed a novel electrocatalyst that can effectively produce hydrogen and oxygen from water at low cost. The catalyst, composed of transition metal phosphates, achieves high surface area and fast charge transfer, making it suitable for commercial on-site production of hydrogen.
Researchers from Pusan University developed a super-stretchable, deformable, and durable material for 'super-flexible' alternating current electroluminescent devices. The material was successfully applied in devices that functioned with up to 1200% elongation, displaying stable luminescence over 1000 cycles.
Researchers have developed a new structure and materials for tandem solar cells, enabling more light to be captured and energy converted effectively. The n-i-p configuration achieved a significant improvement in power-conversion efficiency, exceeding 27%, surpassing previous best values.
Researchers at HZB developed a method to quantify charge extraction at buried interfaces in perovskite solar cells. Time-resolved surface photovoltage technique facilitates design of ideal charge-selective contacts and improves efficiency.
KAUST researchers have developed a multifunctional molecule, phenformin hydrochloride, to plug various atomic-scale defects in perovskite solar materials. This innovation significantly improves the longevity and electrical output of perovskite solar cells, with boosted power conversion efficiencies reaching up to 20.5%.
Researchers pair metal halide perovskites with conventional silicon to create a more powerful solar cell, overcoming the 26% practical efficiency limit. The technology has the potential to rapidly scale up solar energy production and help meet ambitious climate change targets.
Researchers highlight the potential of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) in solar-to-fuel production, converting sunlight into hydrogen and other fuels. COF-based photocatalysts have shown promising properties, including improved catalysis and electron delocalization, making them a viable solution for future energy needs.
A UK team developed a portable ventilator to treat COVID-19 patients in developing countries. The Field Ventilator can be used beyond COVID-19 to treat various respiratory diseases and patients needing respiratory support.
A new Science article assesses the technological progress of colloidal quantum dots, which have become industrial-grade materials for a range of technologies. Advances include first demonstration of colloidal quantum dot lasing, discovery of carrier multiplication and pioneering research into LEDs and luminescent solar concentrators.
A new technology developed at KAUST uses waste heat from solar cells to desalinate seawater, improving efficiency by up to 8% while reducing solar cell temperature. The device features a gravity-driven system and a special fabric that wicks away solid salts and minerals.
Researchers found that tin fluoride additive traps oxidized tin in solution, reducing instability. Fluoride also improves colloid stability, leading to more homogeneous crystal growth.
The OSA Advanced Photonics Congress will discuss the latest developments in integrated photonics, including photonic device research and their applications in networks. Renowned speakers will present on topics such as quantum science, free space communications, and artificial intelligence.
Researchers provide a systematic overview of printing technologies for scaling up perovskite solar cells, highlighting the key role of ink engineering in achieving high-quality thin films. The study also discusses the technical feasibility of printing additional layers and presents progress on roll-to-roll printing and stability issues.
Researchers from Incheon National University developed two new ANFIS-based models to estimate photovoltaic power generation ahead of time by up to a full day. The hybrid algorithms combined traditional ANFIS with particle swarm optimization methods, outperforming other models in predicting solar system values.
Researchers at Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg created a new material by combining barium titanate, strontium titanate, and calcium titanate in a lattice. The resulting ferroelectric-paraelectric superlattice significantly enhances the photovoltaic effect, producing up to 1,000 times more power than pure barium titanate.
Researchers have developed a new method to capture and recycle lead from perovskite solar cells, addressing the environmental and health hazards associated with their use. The transparent phosphate salt solution prevents lead ions from leaching into the soil, rendering perovskite devices safer for large-scale commercialization.
University of Arizona engineers harness the power of perovskites to create ultra-thin and flexible solar cells with high efficiency rates. The new process, called RAPID, aims to reduce grain boundaries by 90% and improve stability, leading to significant impacts on perovskite production.
Researchers at Nagoya Institute of Technology have developed a highly durable and efficient water splitting cell using titanium oxide and p-type cubic SiC photocatalysts in a tandem structure. The study achieved a maximum solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency of 0.74% and demonstrated durability of over 100 days.
The Perovskite Photovoltaic Accelerator for Commercializing Technologies Center aims to overcome challenges in perovskite-based photovoltaic technologies. The center will test at least 30 perovskite modules outside and eventually expand performance testing to 50 kilowatts.
Researchers use cross-correlation noise spectroscopy to identify crucial electrical noise signals in silicon solar cells, pinpointing physical processes causing energy loss and lower efficiency. The technique allows for precise measurement of noise and removal of detector noise, enabling the detection of smaller noise signals.
Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin have found that thermally coupled systems produce more hydrogen than traditional setups when split by sunlight in sub-zero temperatures. This method could supply remote regions with clean energy, replacing fossil fuels and reducing pollution.
A new rate plan aims to benefit individuals who use less power or utilize solar power, while those with high peak usage pay more. The system uses electric smart meters and a grid access fee to approximate the impact of end-users' time-varying demand on local distribution networks.
Researchers from DGIST demonstrate a link between polydispersity and performance in perovskite colloidal quantum dots. Monodisperse suspensions yielded better solar cells with higher light absorption and efficiency.
A new recycling strategy for perovskite solar panels has been developed, which could reduce the carbon footprint of these panels by up to 72.6%. The recycling process could also lower the primary energy consumption of perovskite solar cells.
Organic solar cells have achieved record-breaking power conversion efficiency of 18.4% using a new technology developed by Lithuanian chemists at Kaunas University of Technology. The invention has been commercialized globally and shows potential for various applications, including light-emitting diodes and organic transistors.
Researchers at OIST Graduate University have developed a new method to synthesize crystalline powder necessary for perovskites, resulting in higher quality and stable solar cells. The newly created perovskite-based solar cells achieved conversion efficiencies of over 23% and lifespan of more than 2000 hours.
Rice University engineers have developed a method to grow remarkably uniform 2D perovskite crystals using microscopic seeds. This breakthrough addresses production issues and enables the creation of highly efficient photovoltaic devices with stable performance.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals the unique defect properties of low-dimensional materials particularly Sb2S3, which shows advantages in less dangling bonds and reduced recombination of carriers. Sulphur-rich Sb2S3 films exhibited excellent performance with lower density of defects and improved photovoltaic performance.
Researchers found a correlation between intragrain planar defects and reduced solar cell performance in perovskite materials. Tuning the chemical composition of these films controlled the presence of defects, leading to improved solar cell efficiency.
Researchers at KAUST developed a new molecular coating that significantly enhances the performance of organic photovoltaic cells, outperforming current materials like PEDOT:PSS. The coating increases efficiency by reducing electrical resistance, improving hole transport, and allowing more light to pass through.
Lehigh University engineers use Frontera supercomputer to simulate photovoltaic fabrication and train AI to optimize energy production. Their 'physics-informed machine learning' approach reduces time required to reach optimal process by 40%.
A team of engineers from the University of Toledo is working with NASA to develop more resilient solar power conversion systems for future Mars and Moon missions. The three-year grant will investigate ways to make these systems tolerant to space-related radiation, which degrades their performance.
Researchers at NYU Tandon have developed a method to speed up the doping process of perovskite solar cells using carbon dioxide, increasing efficiency by 100 times. This process also captures CO2, making it a potential solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in commercial solar cell production.
Researchers have developed semitransparent perovskite solar cells with high efficiency, enabling the creation of tandem devices that boost performance. The breakthrough could lead to transparent solar cells on windows, generating electricity from sunlight.
Researchers developed a holographic light collector that captures unused solar energy and increases the amount of solar energy converted by solar panels over the course of a year. The collector directs specific colors of sunlight to solar cells within the panel, resulting in an estimated five percent increase in annual yield.
Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory discovered that liquid-like motion in perovskites could prevent recombination, increasing the efficiency of solar cells. The study reveals a two-dimensional pattern of molecular oscillations, which helps to explain the material's promising photovoltaic properties.
Scientists at Swansea University have discovered a non-toxic biodegradable solvent called γ-Valerolactone (GVL) that can replace toxic solvents without impacting cell performance. This breakthrough could improve the commercial viability of carbon perovskite solar devices, making them more environmentally sustainable.
Researchers at the ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science have discovered a 'sandwich' structure in 2D perovskite films used in solar cells. This layout encourages excitons to move from the central layer to both surfaces, helping to result in more efficient solar energy generation. Prototype devices have demonstrated 13% efficiency.
Researchers at Tokyo Tech have developed a straightforward strategy to produce organic thin films with controllable shapes and thickness distributions. The novel approach combines bipolar electrochemistry with electrolytic micelle disruption, resulting in inexpensive and customizable thin films.
Scientists at PNNL develop a novel material capable of capturing light energy, displaying high efficiency and programmability, with potential applications in photovoltaics, bioimaging, and beyond. The researchers' bio-inspired approach leverages natural hierarchical structures for exceptional properties.
Scientists have identified a mechanism that causes perovskite solar cells to degrade, but also found a potential solution by selecting a crucial layer within the material. This new approach aims to increase stability and efficiency of next-generation solar cells.
A new method using quantum mechanics increases energy transfer in organic solar cells, allowing for simpler structure and improved durability. This discovery has the potential to significantly increase the efficiency and reduce the cost of producing organic solar cells.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in photovoltaics technology by developing tandem cells and singlet fission processes that reduce operating temperatures and extend device lifetimes. This innovation leads to a 2%-4% gain in annual energy production and doubles the lifetime of devices for every 10°C reduction in temperature.
A team from Brown University has made a significant breakthrough in improving the long-term reliability of perovskite solar cells by creating a molecular glue that strengthens key interfaces. The treatment increases cells' stability, reliability, and efficiency, setting the stage for widespread adoption of clean energy technology.
Scientists at KAUST have created a new absorber layer for perovskite solar cells using single crystals with a mixture of organic cations. This improvement increases the absorption range and enhances device performance, reaching an efficiency of 22.8 percent.
A new study by the University of California - Davis suggests that rapid solar development may harm rare desert plant species more than common ones. The research found that weather and landscape features influenced how plants respond to solar panels, with rare species facing potential threats from panel shade.
Researchers at the University of California - Santa Barbara have identified a major cause of limitations to efficiency in hybrid perovskite solar cells. A study found that missing hydrogen atoms in the organic molecules can cause massive efficiency losses due to unwanted energy dissipation, resulting in lower photovoltaic performance.