Solar Scientist Named to Forbes' 30 Under 30 in Energy

Written by Sandra Henderson | 02 January 2013

When Trisha Andrew, an assistant professor of chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, first learned that she has been named to Forbes magazine's 30 Under 30 in Energy, she thought ‘What am I doing on this list?’ “There is a plethora of fantastic, bright scientists pushing the boundaries of how we generate, harvest and store energy,” says the talented innovator and former MIT fellow. And the Forbes editors have decided the organic chemist deserves a place in this distinguished group.

Peel-and-Stick Thin-Film Solar Panels

Written by Sandra Henderson | 01 January 2013

Flexible thin-film solar panels have been in the focus of photovoltaics researchers for quite some time. The realm of applications for the widespread heavy, rigid solar panels is limited, and the technology is unsuitable for the design of wearable devices that would be integrated in clothing, for instance. Now, researchers at Stanford University in California (US) have succeeded in developing the world’s first peel-and-stick thin-film solar cells.

Potassium Calcium Nitrate Promising for CSP Heat Storage

Written by Sandra Henderson | 18 December 2012

The Norwegian company Yara International has identified a new grade of potassium calcium nitrate with promising thermal properties and innovated a second-generation molten salt specifically for heat storage and transfer applications at concentrated solar power (CSP) plants.

Exploring Carbon Nanotubes for Future PV Devices

Written by Sandra Henderson | 11 December 2012

Researchers at the University of Würzburg, Germany will spend the next four years exploring the potential of carbon nanotubes (CNT) for use in new types of photovoltaic devices, with special focus on developing novel functional composite systems. Unique qualities have scientists speculate whether carbon nanotube material could deliver devices with power conversion efficiencies not only competitive to organic photovoltaics but with added benefits, such as greater long term stability, improved charge and excitation transport properties and possibly better light absorption properties in the near infrared range of the solar spectrum.

Self-Arranging Titania Nanotubes Promise Ultra-Low-Cost Solar Cells

Written by Sandra Henderson | 04 December 2012

Researchers at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts (US) have developed self-arranging titania nanotube arrays that could be advantageous in solar panels or fuel cells. The one-dimensional architecture and the large effective surface area of the nanotube arrays could provide better solar harvesting capability as well as improved charge transport.

Thermocline System Provides Cheap, Efficient Solar Energy Storage

Written by Sandra Henderson | 28 November 2012

Researchers at the University of Arkansas in the US set out to invent an efficient and economical energy storage system that would improve the overall efficiency of solar thermal plants. The team has developed a thermocline solar energy storage system that stores absorbed heat at 93.9% efficiency and a material cost of only $0.78 US per kWh.

Breakthrough 2D Semiconductor Possible Next-Generation Solar Cell

Written by Sandra Henderson | 19 November 2012

Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have successfully synthesized single-layer MoSe2 (molybdenum diselenide), which has ideal band gap values for solar harvesting. The team discovered that while 2D MoSe2 presents a direct band gap, bulk MoSe2 is an indirect band gap semiconductor when it is few-layers thick. The band characteristics are manipulated through temperature. With its advantageous band gap and great photoluminescence characteristics, this two-dimensional semiconductor offers flexibility and new options for solar applications.

First All-Carbon Solar Cell Could Excel in Extreme Conditions

Written by Sandra Henderson | 15 November 2012

Chemical Engineers at Stanford University in California (US) have built the first solar cell made entirely of carbon, a material considered promising by photovoltaics researchers for its high performance, low cost and earth-abundance. In addition to building an efficient thin-film solar cell that can be coated inexpensively from solutions, the Stanford team expects their devices to be particularly stable in harsh environmental, chemical and physical conditions.