Topic description and stories

Atomic scale view of perovskite crystal formation

Potassium gives perovskite-based solar cells an efficiency boost

21 Mar 2018

A simple potassium solution could boost the efficiency of next-generation solar cells, by enabling them to convert more sunlight into electricity.

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The GLA building’s solar panels. Perovskite solar cells are already challenging the energy-efficiency of silicon cells such as these.

10 quadrillionths of a second to extraction: Researchers set time limit for ultrafast perovskite solar cells

21 Sep 2017

Researchers have quantified the astonishingly high speeds at which future solar cells would have to operate in order to stretch what are presently...

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'The concoction of light with water and oxygen molecules leads to substantial defect-healing in metal halide perovskite semiconductors

Defects in next-generation solar cells can be healed with light

06 Sep 2017

Researchers have shown that defects in the molecular structure of perovskites – a material which could revolutionise the solar cell industry – can be...

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Bismuth oxyiodide light absorbers

Non-toxic alternative for next-generation solar cells

18 Jul 2017

Researchers have demonstrated how a non-toxic alternative to lead could form the basis of next-generation solar cells.

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Spin, an intrinsic property of electrons, is related to the dynamics of electrons excited as a result of singlet fission – a process which could be used to extract energy in future solar cell technologies.

Researchers road-test powerful method for studying singlet fission

17 Oct 2016

In a new study, researchers measure the spin properties of electronic states produced in singlet fission – a process which could have a central role...

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Depiction of photon recycling inside the crystalline structure of perovskite.

Solar cell material can recycle light to boost efficiency

24 Mar 2016

Perovskite materials can recycle light particles – a finding which could lead to a new generation of affordable, high-performance solar cells.

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Venus transits the rising Sun

Mirage maker

30 Oct 2015

Aditya Sadhanala wanders over to the wall, turns a pulley, and a wooden box about a metre squared swings up and away. Below it gleams an array of...

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False-colour microscopic view of a reduced graphene oxide electrode (black, centre), which hosts the large (on the order of 20 micrometers) lithium hydroxide particles (pink) that form when a lithium-oxygen battery discharges.

New design points a path to the ‘ultimate’ battery

29 Oct 2015

Researchers have successfully demonstrated how several of the problems impeding the practical development of the so-called ‘ultimate’ battery could...

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Pentacene molecules convert a single photon into two molecular excitations via the quantum mechanics of singlet fission

Entanglement at heart of 'two-for-one' fission in next-generation solar cells

26 Oct 2015

The mechanism behind a process known as singlet fission, which could drive the development of highly efficient solar cells, has been directly...

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Solar-powered car to take on Australian Outback challenge

07 Jul 2015

Cambridge University Eco Racing (CUER) secures support vital to maintain momentum

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"Green Power". While conventional solar cells use silicon, it is possible that other materials could eventually be used that would increase their efficiency.

Scientists move closer to “two for one deal” on solar cell efficiency

16 Mar 2015

The causes of a hitherto mysterious process that could enhance the power of solar cells have been explained in a new study.

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Low-impact hub generates electrical current from pure plant power

06 Mar 2015

Green wall technology and semi-transparent solar panels have been combined to generate electrical current from a renewable source of energy both day...

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