Nanobionic technologies as a new perspective for photovoltaics

“We put nanotubes inside of bacteria,” says Professor Ardemis Boghossian at EPFL’s School of Basic Sciences. “That doesn’t sound very exciting on the surface, but it’s actually a big deal. Researchers have been putting nanotubes in mammalian cells that use mechanisms like endocytosis, that are specific to those kinds of cells. Bacteria, on the other Read more about Nanobionic technologies as a new perspective for photovoltaics[…]

New possibilities to develop efficient and stable solar cells

Solar cells manufactured from materials known as “perovskites” are catching up with the efficiency of traditional silicon-based solar cells. At the same time, they have advantages of low cost and short energy payback time. However, such solar cells have problems with stability – something that researchers at Linköping University, together with international collaborators, have now Read more about New possibilities to develop efficient and stable solar cells[…]

A new measuring for best performing organic solar cells

An electronic mismatch in the pairs of materials used to make organic solar cells can enhance cell operation, KAUST researchers have shown. The surprise finding — made following a comprehensive reanalysis of state-of-the-art organic solar materials — should enable researchers to predict new organic formulations with strong solar cell performance. The light-capturing layer of organic Read more about A new measuring for best performing organic solar cells[…]

Solar Cell boost production using heterojunction technology to replace silver with copper

When it comes to generating electricity from renewable energies, photovoltaics are a mainstay. Modern heterojunction solar cells have a particularly low CO2 footprint on account of the low amounts of silicon used to produce them, and when it comes to industrial production, they achieve the highest levels of efficiency. As a result, the chances are high Read more about Solar Cell boost production using heterojunction technology to replace silver with copper[…]

solar thin film

Efficiency of flexible solar cells to a new limit

A group of scientists at Empa has pushed the efficiency of flexible solar cells to a new limit. Independent measurements revealed an efficiency of 21.4 percent when these types of solar cells convert light into electricity. For comparison: the best efficiency of a non-flexible solar cell made of crystalline silicon is reported at 26.7 percent. Read more about Efficiency of flexible solar cells to a new limit[…]

How to make a fully transparent solar cell

Five years after the Paris climate agreement, all eyes are on the world’s progress on the road to a carbon-free future. A crucial part of this goal involves the energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources, such as sun, water, wind and wave energy. Among those, solar energy has always held the highest hope Read more about How to make a fully transparent solar cell[…]

Controlling a tiny robot is maybe as close as you can come to shrinking yourself down

A Cornell University-led collaboration has created the first microscopic robots that incorporate semiconductor components, allowing them to be controlled – and made to walk – with standard electronic signals. These robots, roughly the size of paramecium, provide a template for building even more complex versions that utilize silicon-based intelligence, can be mass produced, and may Read more about Controlling a tiny robot is maybe as close as you can come to shrinking yourself down[…]

Key step towards cheaper and more effective solar energy

A new study reports the highest efficiency ever recorded for full roll-to-roll printed perovskite solar cells (PSCs), marking a key step on the way to cheaper and more efficient ways of generating solar energy. A team at Swansea University’s SPECIFIC Innovation and Knowledge Centre, led by Professor Trystan Watson, has reported using a roll-to-roll fabrication Read more about Key step towards cheaper and more effective solar energy[…]

EU Fund CALL – Optimising manufacturing and system operation

Specific Challenge: Renewable electricity technologies still require optimisation in several key processes of the respective value chains in order to achieve a more efficient conversion of their primary energy source into electricity, as agreed with the sectorial stakeholders in the context of the SET-Plan and stated in the respective Declarations of Intent. Scope: Proposals will Read more about EU Fund CALL – Optimising manufacturing and system operation[…]