Graphene Nanoribbons Promise to Improve LI Batteries

Written by Sandra Henderson | 18 June 2013

Researchers at Rice University, Houston, Texas (US), have created a process for splitting carbon nanotubes into graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) that, in a solution with tin oxide, could be used to improve the performance of lithium ion (LI) batteries. Proof-of-concept anodes built with these single-atom-thick GNRs demonstrated a better capacity than tin oxide alone. In fact, the scientists say the method can more than double the capacity and increase cyclability from only one cycle to many hundreds of cycles.

Self-Sustaining Solar Panel Generates and Stores Power

Written by Sandra Henderson | 13 June 2013

Have researchers at last found an energy storage solution for solar devices that do not have space for a bulky battery? A University of Wisconsin-Madison electrical engineer has developed a design that allows a simplex standard-size solar cell to simultaneously generate and store power, creating a self-sustaining system for small-scale applications of solar energy.

Australian PV Printer Scales Up OPV Production

Written by Sandra Henderson | 09 June 2013

Scientists at Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) have developed two new photovoltaic printers that can print organic solar cells at a rate of 10 metres per minute — or one cell every two seconds. The PV printing machines, two of the largest in the world, print at room temperature and in “normal” conditions. Thus, the PV cells produced could be much cheaper than silicon or thin-film solar cells. At 30 cm wide (the size of an A3 sheet of paper) they are also 10 times the size of previous flexible plastic solar cells and the largest produced in Australia.

Wafer Bonding at Room Temperature

Written by Anne Fischer | 04 June 2013

The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE today announced that it has joined forces with EV Group (EVG) to develop equipment and process technology to enable electrically conductive and optically transparent direct wafer bonds at room temperature.

Block Copolymers — A New Path in Organic Photovoltaics

Written by Sandra Henderson | 03 June 2013

Polymer-based organic photovoltaics (OPVs) carry great potential for lightweight, low-cost solar energy. In an effort to improve the performance of polymer solar cells while maintaining cheap processing strategies, researchers at Rice University in Texas (US) and Pennsylvania State University in Pennsylvania (US) have now created a new kind of solar cell based on block copolymers, self-assembling organic materials that arrange themselves into distinct layers.

Old Microwave Synthesises CZTS Nanocrystals in Minutes

Written by Sandra Henderson | 21 May 2013

Researchers at The University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah (US) have used a discarded microwave oven to produce CZTS nanocrystals from cheap, abundant and less toxic metals than other photovoltaic semiconductors. Now they want to optimise this potentially fast, large-scale production method for commercialisation.

Fluorescent Organic Dye Boosts Light Absorption, Recycles Electrons in Solar Cells

Written by Sandra Henderson | 16 May 2013

Adding fluorescent organic squaraine dye into polymer solar cells considerably boosts light absorption and recycles electrons, scientists at Yale University have discovered. Consequentially, power conversion efficiency (PCE) increased by 38% in the experiments.

Nanostructure-Coated Black Silicon Solar Cells Via ALD

Written by Sandra Henderson | 08 May 2013

Aspiring to improve photovoltaic energy conversion efficiency by using latest advances in nanotechnology, researchers at Aalto University, Finland, are combining “black silicon” with the method of atomic layer deposition (ALD). As a result, the nanostructures fabricated by plasma dry etching minimise sunlight reflection. Moreover, a conformal, thin passivating layer, deposited onto the nanostructures through ALD, prevents charge carriers from recombining at the surface.