Photonics Spectra: photovoltaic This is the syndication feed for Photonics Spectra: photovoltaic. https://www.photonics.com/Splash.aspx?Tag=photovoltaic Thu, 28 Mar 2024 22:05:41 GMT Fri, 26 Jan 2024 07:00:00 GMT 1800 PsiQuantum, Mitsubishi Partner to Develop Energy-Efficient Materials
Since predicting the optical properties of materials requires complex analysis of excited states, standard algorithmic techniques for...]]>
https://www.photonics.com/Articles/PsiQuantum_Mitsubishi_Partner_to_Develop/p5/a69667 A69667 Fri, 26 Jan 2024 07:00:00 GMT
Micrometric Photovoltaic Cells Aim To Shrink Electronic Devices
Researchers have manufactured back-contact micrometric photovoltaic cells, a world-first, according to the multi-institutional collaborators. The work paves the way for a new era of miniaturization for electronic devices.

The cells, with a size twice the thickness of a strand of hair, have significant advantages over conventional solar technologies, reducing electrode-induced shadowing by 95% and potentially lowering energy production costs by up to three times.

The micrometric photovoltaic cell manufacturing process involved a partnership between the University of Ottawa, the Université de Sherbrooke in Quebec, and the Laboratoire des Technologies de la Microélectronique in Grenoble, France.
Photo showing the...]]>
https://www.photonics.com/Articles/Micrometric_Photovoltaic_Cells_Aim_To_Shrink/p5/a69494 A69494 Tue, 28 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT
Perovskite Cells Sustain Stability at High Temperatures
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong have developed perovskite solar cells capable of maintaining stability at high temperatures. According to the researchers, the work paves the way to commercialization.

Perovskite solar cells have been a promising frontier in solar energy due to their high power conversion efficiency, though they have been held back by their thermal instability.
Left: Perovskite solar cells under high temperature aging. Right: Perovskite solar cells equipped with novel SAM. Courtesy of City University of Hong Kong.
The researchers focused on the self-assembled monolayer (SAM), an essential part of these cells, which they envisioned as a heat-sensitive shield that needed reinforcement.

...]]>
https://www.photonics.com/Articles/Perovskite_Cells_Sustain_Stability_at_High/p5/a69414 A69414 Mon, 23 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT
Resolve Optics Opens Test Center: Week in Review: 07/07/23
Resolve Optics installed and commissioned a new vibration test center adding to the suite of in-house lens-testing equipment the company is able to offer. Lenses used in harsh industrial inspection and military and space applications are often exposed to vibrations, shocks, temperature changes, radiation, and contaminants. The company’s new ETS MPA101-L215M Shaker, coupled with a DTC Venzo 880 controller, is certified and calibrated in accordance with ISO standards, which enables Resolve Optics to not only carry out all the common forms of vibration testing, but also undertake specialist vibration/shock qualification tests in accordance with customer requirements.
Resolve Optics’ new ETS MPA101-L215M vibratory shaker coupled...]]>
https://www.photonics.com/Articles/Resolve_Optics_Opens_Test_Center_Week_in_Review/p5/a69145 A69145 Fri, 07 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT
Qcells Invests $100M in Perovskite Production: Week in Brief: 05/26/23
Qcells, a clean energy technology company, will invest $100 million to accelerate the commercialization of perovskite-based tandem cells, a solar cell technology designed to boost panel efficiency. Qcells’ parent company, Hanwha Solutions, said it will build a pilot tandem-cell production line at its Jincheon factory in South Korea. The facility is expected to be operational by late 2024 with the aim to commercialize tandem cells by 2026. To support this target, the pilot facility in Jincheon will work closely with Qcells’ headquarters for technology and innovation in Thalheim, Germany.

BLANTYRE, Scotland — Sivers Semiconductors’ Sivers Photonics business unit formed a strategic project to look at a possible...]]>
https://www.photonics.com/Articles/Qcells_Invests_100M_in_Perovskite_Production/p5/a69040 A69040 Fri, 26 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT
Ambient Photonics Opens Low-Light Photovoltaic Cell Factory
Ambient Photonics has started mass production on low-light photovoltaic (PV) cells at its low-light PV cell factory in Scotts Valley, south of Silicon Valley. According to Ambient, the company's PV cell technology transforms indoor light into energy with 3× more power density than conventional technology. The technology provides power for electronic devices and can also eliminate the need for disposable batteries and reduce carbon emissions of battery-powered devices by as much as 80%, the company said.
Ambient co-founders Bates Marshall (left), CEO, and Kethinni Chittibabu, CTO. Courtesy of Ambient Photonics. Ambient’s proprietary technology combines molecular chemistry and a digitally defined manufacturing process that...]]>
https://www.photonics.com/Articles/Ambient_Photonics_Opens_Low-Light_Photovoltaic/p5/a68952 A68952 Tue, 25 Apr 2023 07:00:00 GMT
Terahertz Microscopy Could Boost Performance of Perovskite
To better evaluate perovskite solar cell material(s), scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames National Laboratory developed a microscope that simultaneously images at the terahertz (THz) frequency and nanometer spatial scales. Through THz nanoimaging, the scientists uncovered unexpected information about methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) perovskite that could improve the material’s solar cell performance.

MAPbI3 is of interest as a material that could potentially replace silicon in solar cells.

THz light from the newly introduced probe scanning microscope is shined through a sharp, metallic tip that enhances the microscope’s capabilities to image at nanometer-length scales. “Normally if you...]]>
https://www.photonics.com/Articles/Terahertz_Microscopy_Could_Boost_Performance_of/p5/a68617 A68617 Mon, 26 Dec 2022 07:00:00 GMT
Jenoptik Breaks Ground on Dresden Fab: Week in Brief: 09/09/2022
II-VI announced its corporate name change. The company, which finalized its acquisition of Coherent Inc. this summer, is now called Coherent Corp. The company also debuted a brand identity, which includes a corporate logo. The pre-merger companies’ existing websites, social media platforms, and most product branding will continue for the near term as the transition to the new brand identity is executed over the coming months.

JENA, Germany — Construction launched on Jenoptik’s high-tech fab at Dresden Airport Park. Jenoptik is investing more than €70 million (~$69.77 million) in the new fab, which will feature 11,000 sq m of net floor space, including 2000 sq m for cleanroom production. Production is scheduled...]]>
https://www.photonics.com/Articles/Jenoptik_Breaks_Ground_on_Dresden_Fab_Week_in/p5/a68348 A68348 Fri, 09 Sep 2022 07:00:00 GMT
Wireless Power Transfer System Brings Automated Charging Potential
A wireless charger developed at Sejong University in South Korea overcomes some of the challenges that have hindered previous attempts to develop safe and convenient on-the-go charging systems. The new system uses infrared light to safely transfer high levels of power.

Laboratory tests showed that the system could transfer 400 mW of light power over distances of up to 30 m. This power is sufficient for charging sensors, and with further development, it could be increased to levels necessary to charge mobile devices.

"The ability to power devices wirelessly could eliminate the need to carry around power cables for our phones or tablets," said research team leader Jinyong Ha. "It could also power various sensors such as those in...]]>
https://www.photonics.com/Articles/Wireless_Power_Transfer_System_Brings_Automated/p5/a68335 A68335 Thu, 01 Sep 2022 07:00:00 GMT
Perovskite Cell, Test Method Set High Bar for Advancing Technology
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a perovskite solar cell device that can perform above industry standards, maintaining operation for approximately 30 years — compared to the widely used 20-year threshold for solar cell viability. The device is the first of its kind to rival the performance of silicon-based cells, which have dominated the market since their introduction in 1954.

Perovskites are semiconductors with a special crustal structure that makes them well suited for solar cell technology. They can be manufactured at room temperature using much less energy than silicon, which makes them cheaper and more sustainable to produce. Where silicon is stiff and opaque, perovskites can be made flexible and...]]>
https://www.photonics.com/Articles/Perovskite_Cell_Test_Method_Set_High_Bar_for/p5/a68133 A68133 Mon, 27 Jun 2022 07:00:00 GMT
Fraunhofer Achieves 47%-Efficient Four-Junction Solar Cell: Week in Brief: 06/03/22
Laser technology company Lumibird inked two acquisition agreements, one to acquire the Saab Group’s defense laser rangefinder business, and one to acquire Areva’s 37% stake in optics and laser company CILAS, a developer of laser weapons. Both acquisitions serve to strengthen Lumibird’s position in the European defense markets. Lumibird has served as a key component supplier for Saab for more than 15 years. Lumibird additionally formed a subsidiary in India, Lumibird Medical India. The new company aims to boost sales of Quantel Medical and Ellex products in India with a shared range of ultrasound platforms, ophthalmic lasers, and equipment for the diagnosis and treatment of dry eye.

MANCHESTER, N.H. — Allegro...]]>
https://www.photonics.com/Articles/Fraunhofer_Achieves_47-Efficient_Four-Junction/p5/a68071 A68071 Fri, 03 Jun 2022 07:00:00 GMT
Photonic Technology Converts Greenhouse Gases into Clean Energy
The European consortium SPOTLIGHT is developing a process that uses sunlight and LEDs to turn carbon dioxide and green hydrogen into clean energy products such as methane gas and methanol liquid fuel. Using a photonic device, the SPOTLIGHT consortium is looking to process up to one megaton of carbon dioxide per year, with the technology complementary to existing large-scale carbon capture and utilization processes.

“Our goal is to develop and validate a photonic device and chemical process concept for the sunlight-powered conversion of CO2 and green H2 to the chemical fuel methane (CH4, Sabatier process) and to carbon monoxide (CO, reverse water gas shift process) as starting material for the production of the chemical fuel...]]>
https://www.photonics.com/Articles/Photonic_Technology_Converts_Greenhouse_Gases/p5/a67708 A67708 Tue, 25 Jan 2022 07:00:00 GMT
Solar Cell Simulator Advances Photovoltaic Efficiency
A differentiable solar cell simulator, newly developed by researchers at MIT and Google Brain, tells scientists which changes will provide the improvements they wish to make in a solar cell configuration. The new simulator computes the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of an input photovoltaic (PV) design, and the derivative of the PCE with respect to any input parameters.

Further, it enables efficient materials optimization of PV cells, and it can be used with standard optimization methods and machine learning algorithms. The simulator is considered end-to-end because it computes the sensitivity of the cell’s efficiency while taking into account light absorption.

Solar cells have many variables that can be adjusted to...]]>
https://www.photonics.com/Articles/Solar_Cell_Simulator_Advances_Photovoltaic/p5/a67643 A67643 Wed, 05 Jan 2022 07:00:00 GMT