Papers:
High Temperature Nanostructures for Thermophotovoltaics
A fundamental challenge in solar-thermal-electrical energy conversion is the thermal stability of nano-engineered materials and devices at high operational temperatures. Selective tungsten emitters based on 2-D photonic crystals have been found effective in controlling the [...]
New route for growing of ZnO seed layer using SILAR method
In this work a new route was applied, it was utilized successively ionic layer adsorption reaction (SILAR) method to growth of the ZnO seed layer with low mis-orientation.
Luminescent Solar Concentrator windows for sustainable electricity generation over agricultural land
Corrado C., Leow S.W., Osborn M., Alavi S., Bebout L.E., Prufert-Bebout L., Alers G.B., Prufert-Bebout L., Carter S.A., University of California, Santa Cruz, US
Luminescent Solar Concentrators (LSCs) consisting of a transparent plate embedded with a high quantum yield luminescent dye may be used in conjunction with Photovoltaic (PV) cells to enhance the power output of the cells, thus [...]
Three-dimensional panel configurations to reduce wind load and increase passive convection cooling of photovoltaic surface on solar tracking systems
For photovoltaic power systems there is a new class of three-dimensional panel arrangements better adapted to strong wind conditions than contiguous plates of equivalent frontal. These arrangements are unique in having overlapping layers of non-overlapping [...]
A New Class of Nonlinear Light Trapping for Photovoltaic Systems
Light trapping is a useful way of enhancing photovoltaic conversion via any means by which light not converted to electricity in a photovoltaic (PV) in one pass through its PN junction, is given another opportunity [...]
Statistical Analysis of Electroplated Indium (III) Sulfide (In2S3) Films, a Potential Buffer Material for PV (Heterojucntion Solar Cells) Systems, using Organic Electrolytes
Ali Mughal M., Newell M.J., Vangilder J., Thapa S., Hall J., McNew D., Felizco F., Wood K., Engelken R., Carroll B.R., Johnson J.B., Arkansas State University, US
Deposition conditions were optimized in order to avoid non-uniformity, cracks, and improper stoichiometry in electrodeposited indium (III) sulfide (In2S3)thin films using statistical analysis.
Self-Assembly of Squaraine Dyes: A Thermodynamic Exploration of Aggregation on Device Properties
Spencer S., Murcia V., Heaphy P., Bougher C., Conrad B., Misture S., Cody J., Collison C., Rochester Institute of Technology, US
Using a comprehensive experimental and theoretical approach, we present a set of materials from the squaraine family that can serve as a unique energetic probe of the bulk heterojunction. We demonstrate successful devices and tight [...]
Exploring the IR-limit of the Triplet-Triplet Annihilation Upconversion: Tetraaryltetraanthra[2,3]porphyrin – family
The main advantage of the techniques, using photon conversion is that conversion processes and devices can be considered and optimized independently, without affecting the particular physical properties of the operating photovoltaic material or device architectures. [...]
Solar automated greenhouse
In this work we presente the results obtained with a electronic circuit to control temperature, water, humidity and fertilizer of plants in a greenhouse. Different sensors were located in the greenhouse and electrovalves were activated [...]
Plasmonic Enhanced Light Trapping in a P3HT Photovoltaic
We consider the enhancement of an organic (P3HT) photovoltaic with conductive nanoparticles of various shapes, sizes and spacing as top-reflectors; used in conjunction with a periodic and a pseudo-random back-reflector. The surface for the pseudo-random [...]
A Generalized Model for Global Solar Radiation in South Africa Using Multiple Weather Elements as Predictors
In this study a generalized model for predicting global solar radiation was developed for South Africa. This was achieved by employing easily measured weather elements like sunshine hour, ambient temperature, relative humidity and wind speed [...]
Photocatalytic Performance of Cu/TiO2-xNx Nanotube Arrays Enhanced by Surface Plasmon Resonance and Application in Hydrogen Evolution by Water Splitting
Kang L., Liu E., Hu X., Fan J., Fan X., Wu F., Wu H., Fan J., Fan X., Hou W., Wu F., Wu H., Wang Q., Northwest University, CN
Studies revealed that noble metal (Au, Ag, Pd) nanoparticles can improve the photoresponse property of TiO2 in the visible region based on the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect, and enhance the activity of TiO2 photocatalyst. [...]
CeF3 Fullerene-like Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Upconversion Properties and Application in Photocatalysis Reduction of CO2
As one of the rare-earth fluorides, Cerium fluoride (CeF3) has been used as host materials, solid lubricants and inorganic fluorescent materials. Among various CeF3 nanostructures, fullerene-like structure (IF) with the hollow cavities inside have attracted [...]
XRD and SEM studies on annealed nanocrystalline titanium dioxide powder
Anatase phase of nanocrystalline (nC) titanium dioxide in photo-catalysis, photo-splitting of water to produce hydrogen and as electrode material in Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs)is mostly used due to its higher band gap. However, recent [...]
Deposition of TiO2/Ni/CuO/ITO multi-layered cell for solar-driven water splitting
In this study, a photoelectrolysis cell based on multilayered TiO2/Ni/CuO (M-cell) photoelectrode is prepared on ITO substrate (110 nm thick) using a multi-target direct current and radio-frequency magnetron sputtering technique in which Ni acts as [...]
Y2O3:Eu3+, Tb3+ sphere particles doped anti-reflection and wavelength conversion bifunctional films: Synthesis and application to solar cells
Ji R., Hu X., Tian M., Han L., Jun F., Wang L., Wang Y., Zhan S., Zhang Q., Zhang Q., Wang L., Wang Y., Northwest University, CN
Solar energy, as a clean and sustainable resource, has great potential to take place of the traditional energy source. While the low photoelectric conversion efficiency limits the application of solar cells to a great extent. [...]
Au nanoparticles decorated hydrothermally processed rutile TiO2 nanorods for photoelectrochemical water splitting
In this work, we investigate the synthesis of single crystalline rutile TiO2 nanorods for photoelectrochemical water splitting. A facile and convenient hydrothermal method was used to fabricate it. We realize the control of the length, [...]
High open-circuit voltage bulk-heterojunction solar cells by using new dendritic acceptor material
Light harvesting solar cells and energy transfer are currently of great challenges for the 21st century in the field of solar cells energy. Academic and industrial scientists are searching for a detailed understanding of light [...]
Silver Nanowires for Plasmon Induced Enhancement of Optical Absorption in Thin-Film Silicon Solar Cells
Plasmonic effects for photovoltaics are investigated through this communication. We present here an innovative design with integrated silver nanocylinders located at the rear side of a thin crystalline silicon cell. Numerical simulations (FDTD) show that [...]
Efficient broadband conversion via quantum dots with built-in charge
Recently proposed by ARL – University at Buffalo team, the Q-BIC technology is a promising basis for developing high-efficiency, broadband (all-weather), rugged, light-weight, scalable, and relatively inexpensive single-junction solar cells capable of converting of 35 [...]
Water Splitting for H2 Production using Visible-light-responsive Photocatalysts
Huang J., Zhang G., Zhang W., Zhang G., Zhang W., Wang P., Minakata D., Chen Y., Crittenden J., New Jersey Institute of Technology, US
Hydrogen (H2) production using visible-light photocatalysis for water splitting has attracted considerable attention owing to the growing demand for environmentally friendly and sustainable energy sources. This presentation will demonstrate our previous study on H2 production [...]
A Focused Super-Continuum Solar Simulator for Illuminated Solar Cell Microscopy
The design and application of a novel, focused solar simulator based on a high-power, super-continuum laser is described. We used the simulator to create micrometer-scale spatial maps of full-spectrum optical beam induced current (FS-OBIC) in [...]
Enhancement of GaAs solar cell efficiency by type-II GaSb quantum dots located outside of the depletion region
Experiments have shown that extrinsic intermediate band (IB) states, for instance, formed by artificial quantum dots (QDs), located in the depletion region participate in electron-hole recombination. This facilitates dramatically the dark current and reduces the [...]
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 3, Nanotechnology 2013: Bio Sensors, Instruments, Medical, Environment and Energy (Volume 3)
Published: May 12, 2013
Industry sector: Energy & Sustainability
Topic: Solar Technologies
ISBN: 978-1-4822-0586-2