Papers – Page 10 – TechConnect Briefs

Improved Nanophotonics Simulation Tools for Light-Trapping in Photovoltaics

Shepard S., Rubaiat F., Louisiana Tech University, US

Models used in the field of nanoparticle enhanced light-trapping have a wide range of complexity. Often one simply calculates how much power is absorbed in a particular region e.g., a layer of silicon withing a [...]

Periodic and Psuedo-Random Back-Reflector Nanoparticle Enhanced Light-Trapping in a Silicon Photovoltaic

Shepard S., Patel L., Rubaiat F., Louisiana Tech University, US

We consider the light-trapping enhancement of a silicon photovoltaic with conductive nanoparticles of various shapes, sizes and spacing as top-reflectors; used in conjunction with a periodic and a pseudo-random back-reflectors. The nanoparticles in the top-reflector [...]

Intense Pulsed Light Processing of Semiconductors for Photovoltaics

Druffel T., Dharmadasa R., University of Louisville, US

Thin film solar cells typically require post-growth heat treatment to improve the materials properties. In order to manufacture market competitive solar cells, material processing methods with low capital and running costs are required. One method [...]

Nanotechnology Enabled Photovoltaics and Electronics for High-Power-Density Energy Systems

Smith T.C., Lyshevski S.E., Rochester Institute of Technology, US

This paper examines nanotechnology-enabled high-power and high-energy density microelectronics, power electronics, energy sources, energy storage solutions. Proof-of-concept self-sustainable power systems are designed with applications in autonomous and portable aerospace, automotive, biotechnology, medical, security and other [...]

Preparation of ZnO Nanowires for Solar Cells Aplicattion

Fernandes S.L., Zaghete M.A., Graeff C.F.O., Varella J.A., Longo E., UNESP, Universidade Estadual Paulista, BR

So far, the most successful solar cells have been produced using porous nanoparticles combined with TiO2 films. However, ZnO has emerged as a promising alternative to replace TiO2, with marked improvements in performance of the [...]

Solar Energy Conversion using a Broad Band Coherent Concentrator with Antenna-Coupled Rectifiers

Bodan P., AMI Research and Development, US

A wideband coherent optical 1D concentrator, intended for rectennas, has been designed with an integrated photovoltaic array solar cell. Modeled and measured results are presented for a wedge prism coupled SiON waveguide array.

Charge Pumping for High-force, Large-displacement MEMS

Harvey IR., Baker B., Hogan A., Ford K., University of Utah Nanofab, US

Instead of making machines smaller that work well in the macro world, we envision a new class of machines that are specifically designed to take advantage of what works well in the micro-scale world. These [...]

Modeling and Simulation of PVDF-TrFE Based MEMS Scale Cantilever Type Energy Harvesters

Toprak A., Tigli O., University of Miami, US

We present the FEM modeling and simulation of a cantilever type piezoelectric energy harvester constructed using PVDF-TrFE. PVDF-TrFE is a CMOS compatible, soft piezoelectric polymer with a moderate electromechanical coupling coefficient. It is also flexible [...]

Secondary Use Energy Storage

Starke M., Irimger P., Ollis B., Andrews G., Karlson P., Thabiappah S., Rosenfeld P., Massin S., Oak Ridge National Laboratory, US

This study presents the testing of a community energy storage system composed of repurposed used electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (EV/PHEV) battery packs. The expectation is that the vehicular batteries will be replaced with [...]

Metal Organo-Clays as potential adsorbents for hydrogen storage

Azzouz A., Nousir S., Bouazizi N., Roy R., University of Quebec at Montreal, CA

Metal-Organo-Clays (MOC) are novel microporous matrices that can be synthesized via the in-situ formation of Cu, Fe or Pd nanoparticles in montmorillonite-supported polyol dendrimers. This is a new concept that has scarcely been tackled so [...]