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Self-Cooling Solar Cells Boost Efficiency

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STANFORD, Calif., July 24, 2014 — A new technique allows solar cells to passively cool themselves by driving away unwanted thermal radiation. Developed by a team from Stanford University, the new solar cells offer high efficiency and more longevity than conventional cells (most commonly silicon semiconductors), which typically convert only about 30 percent of incident sunlight into usable electricity. Pyramid structures made of silica glass provide maximal radiative cooling capability for a solar cell. Courtesy of Linxiao Zhu/Stanford University. Solar energy that is not converted generates waste heat, which,...Read full article

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    Published: July 2014
    Glossary
    infrared
    Infrared (IR) refers to the region of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths longer than those of visible light, but shorter than those of microwaves. The infrared spectrum spans wavelengths roughly between 700 nanometers (nm) and 1 millimeter (mm). It is divided into three main subcategories: Near-infrared (NIR): Wavelengths from approximately 700 nm to 1.4 micrometers (µm). Near-infrared light is often used in telecommunications, as well as in various imaging and sensing...
    thermal radiation
    The emission of radiant energy in which the energy emitted originates in the thermal motion of the atoms or molecules of the source material.
    Aaswath RamanAmericasCaliforniaelectricityenergyinfraredOpticsResearch & TechnologysemiconductorsShanhui Fansiliconsolar cellsStanford Universitythermal radiationLinxiao Zhu

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