US – Page 195 – TechConnect Briefs

Advanced Nanocomposite Materials Tailored to Solid-State Lighting Applications

Davis J.L., Guzan K., Mills K., Han L., RTI International, US

Nanofibers and nanocomposites made from nanofibers are emerging as a key enabler for the next generation of lighting technologies. The emergence of these materials in lighting applications is driven by the fact that nanofiber substrates [...]

Experimental study of solar spectrum impact on solar cells

Song X., Miller E.L., Garmire D., University of Hawaii at Manoa, US

Variations in solar spectrum can lead to changes in the performance and efficiency of solar cells, which operate at peak efficiency only over a relatively narrow band of the spectrum. Similarly heat absorbed by solar [...]

Comparing the Efficiency of Silicon Based Solar Cells with Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

Magsi K., Stony Brook University, US

The typical method of making dye sensitized solar cells was used to begin wich, with a few new methods employed as varying constraints. Of particular concern is the porous sponge like structure of TiO2 that [...]

Characterization of Microcrystalline and Amorphous Thin Film Silicon Devices with Raman Spectroscopy

Hodkiewicz J., Wall M., Thermo Fisher Scientific, US

Raman spectroscopy is highly sensitive to even slight changes in morphology of highly symmetrical, covalently bonded materials making it an ideal technique to characterize Silicon films. Furthermore, Raman spectroscopy is relatively insensitive to glass making [...]

Sustainable and cost effective solar technology made from Tetrapod Quantum Dot Solar Cells

Glass R.A., Squires S., Solterra Renewable Technologies, Inc, US

Solterra Renewable Technologies Inc is designing and manufacturing solar cells using a proprietary thin film semiconductor technology that will allow a reduction in the average solar cell manufacturing costs and be extremely competitive. Solterra will [...]

Use of Solar Energy in the Automotive Sector

Van Oyen H., Quantum Technologies, Inc., US

With the advent of more Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) on the market, the use and integration of solar electric components in this sector is becoming larger. Two areas of providing electrical energy into a [...]

Greening and Growing the Grid: Utility-Scale Solar 101

Alcombright D., SOLON Corporation, US

With the growth of renewable portfolio standards, rising electricity rates and increasing peak load demands, U.S. utilities are seeking new solutions to meet their renewable energy needs. Scalability, cost and reliability have been the primary [...]

Silicon Solar Cell Efficiency Improvement Through Advanced Cleaning Technology

Bohling D.A., Goldstein A., Treichel H., Lizard T., George M.A., Sunsonix, US

Sunsonix™ has identified a technology gap/need in the area of crystalline silicon photovoltaic efficiency and field degradation. The cause of both poor efficiency and rapid degradation may share common roots, that being trace contamination at [...]

Generation of Transportation Fuel from Solid Municipal Waste Plastics

Sarker M., Natural State Research, Inc., US

Transportation fuels derived from imported fossil fuels are subjected to the price fluctuations of the global marketplace, and constitute a major expense in the operation of a vehicle. Emissions from the evaporation and combustion of [...]

New Kalina Cycle Systems for Biomass Applications

Kalina A., KALEX LLC, US

Three new Kalina Cycle power systems have designed for the utilization of biomass fuel. These systems offer drastic improvements in efficiency, (on the order of 40% to 60%,) and reduction in cost over current conventional [...]