Nanotechnology Spotlight – Latest Articles

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Showing Spotlights 1 - 8 of 76 in category All (newest first):

 

Roll-to-roll fabrication of flexible printed perovskite solar cells under ambient conditions

flexible-solar-cellResearchers have been able to successfully replace the expensive metal layer of the top electrode of perovskite solar cells with a less-expensive carbon-based electrode that can also be applied using roll-to-roll techniques. This new electrode deposition method involves the deposition of carbon and silver on a detachable plastic (PET) substrate first, with the dried electrode then pressed onto the top of the perovskite solar cell. The PET layer is then removed and can be reused.

Sep 29th, 2022

Solar power for space applications

solar-energy-in-spaceThe systems that generate power for spacecrafts either in Earth orbit or for other solar system and deep space destinations belong to the critical components of every mission. The huge improvements in photovoltaics over the past decades has paved the way for the exploitation of solar cells also for satellites traveling into deep space beyond Mars. 2D materials show a high potential for both PV and radiation-resistant materials and 2D materials-based solar cells will be a likely future technology for space applications.

Jul 19th, 2022

Upcycling strategy turns discarded solar cells into thermoelectrics

solar-cell-wasteResearchers estimate that global PV module waste, 90% of which are made from crystalline silicon, will reach 1.7-1.8 million tonnes by 2030 and 60-78 million tonnes by 2050, which will likely reach the same order of magnitude as global electronic waste. A novel upcycling strategy adds value to this otherwise economically low-value waste silicon. With proper chemical doping, it allows silicon waste to be turned into high-performance thermoelectrics for heat energy harvesting.

May 16th, 2022