US – Page 85 – TechConnect Briefs

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 [...]

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 [...]

Nanostructured Acetylcholinesterase (ACHE) Memristor/Memcapacitor Mimicks Brachyhypopomus Electric Fish’s Signal-Cloaking Behavior

Chen E.T., Thornton J., Advanced Biomimetic Sensors, Inc., US

The Brachyhypopomus Electric (BHE) fish is known for its signal-cloaking behavior that allows it to avoid predators by shifting its electroreceptive pulses from low frequency to less detectable high-frequency through a phase-delay “head-tail” Electric Organ [...]

Architecturing Carbon Nanotube-based Flexible Solid State Supercapacitor

Adu K, Ma D., Radall C., Rajagopalan R., Armstrong P., Stigers S., The Pennsylvania State University, US

We report a novel post synthesis self-assembly technique that transforms the trillion of carbon nanotubes into a robust, flexible and binder-free membrane and demonstrate its application in designing flexible bipolar solid state supercapacitor with high [...]

Assessing damage to graphite electrodes in bromine redox flow battery systems

Bistrikaa A.A., Brekkenb T.K.A., von Jouanneb A., Lernerc M.M., Yokochia A.F.T., NRGindependence, Oregon State University, US

A crucial metric in harvesting renewable and intermittent power resources is widely understood to be the ability to, and cost effectiveness of, storing energy. Large chemical systems, such as Redox Flow Batteries (RFBs), are a [...]