Perovskite-Info is a news hub and knowledge center born out of keen interest in the wide range of perovskite materials.
Perovskites are a class of materials that share a similar structure, which display a myriad of exciting properties like superconductivity, magnetoresistance and more. These easily synthesized materials are considered the future of solar cells, as their distinctive structure makes them perfect for enabling low-cost, efficient photovoltaics. They are also predicted to play a role in next-gen electric vehicle batteries, sensors, lasers and much more.
Dyesol, the Australian company developing Perovskite Solar Cell (PSC) technology, has decided to change its name and logo to Greatcell Solar.
The decision has been reached at a general meeting of shareholders on June 9, and it expects the new name to be registered by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission around June 21, while the name and ticker change on the stock exchange should follow shortly thereafter.
A multidisciplinary team at Berkeley Lab, both from the Molecular Foundry and the Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis, found a possible way to dramatically boost the efficiency of methylammonium lead iodide perovskite solar cells. The team discovered a surprising characteristic of a perovskite solar cell that could be exploited for higher efficiencies, possibly up to 31%.
Using photoconductive atomic force microscopy with nanometer-scale resolution, the scientists mapped two properties on the active layer of the solar cell that relate to its photovoltaic efficiency. The maps revealed a bumpy surface composed of grains about 200 nanometers in length. Each grain has multi-angled facets. Unexpectedly, the scientists discovered a big difference in energy conversion efficiency between facets on individual grains. They found poorly performing facets adjacent to highly efficient facets, with some facets approaching the material’s theoretical energy conversion limit. The scientists say these top-performing facets could hold the secret to highly efficient solar cells if the material can be synthesized so that only very efficient facets develop.
A team of researchers at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has demonstrated a prototype of a flexible 30cm by 30cm plastic sheet with perovskite printed on it. To achieve this, various liquid chemicals, including the perovskite, are mixed together. The solution is then poured into a standard screen printer and printed onto sheets of plastic or glass.
The team stated that since perovskite is translucent, and its color can also be adjusted through chemical processes, perovskite solar panels could even be integrated into building facades, which is not possible with current silicon-made solar panels that are opaque and would block out light. These perovskite panels could also be cheaper to produce, costing about three times less than conventional silicon cells, the researchers said.
EPFL Researchers, in collaboration with Michael Grätzel and Solaronix, have designed a low-cost and ultra-stable perovskite solar cell that has been operating at 11.2% efficiency for over a year, without loss in performance. This may represent a step towards solving the stability problem that currently poses a major obstacle towards commercialization of perovskite-based solar cell technology.
The team engineered what is known as a 2D/3D hybrid perovskite solar cell. This combines the enhanced stability of 2D perovskites with 3D forms, which efficiently absorb light across the entire visible spectrum and transport electrical charges. In this way, the scientists were able to fabricate efficient and ultra-stable solar cells, which is a crucial step for upscaling to a commercial level. The 2D/3D perovskite yields efficiencies of 12.9% (carbon-based architecture), and 14.6% (standard mesoporous solar cells).
Researchers from the University of Utah discovered that organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites feature two contradictory properties - easily controlled electron spin and long spin lifetime (up to a nanosecond). This is a unique combination of two highly sought after properties for spintronics devices.
The specific material used in this research is the hybrid perovskite methyl-ammonium lead iodine (CH3NH3PbI3). In their study, a thin film of this material was placed in front of an ultrafast laser that was used to set the electron's spin orientation and also observe the spin precession.
EPFL researchers have designed a new type of inorganic nanocomposite that makes perovskite quantum dots (nanometer-sized semiconducting materials with unique optical properties) exceptionally stable against exposure to air, sunlight, heat, and water.
Quantum dots made from perovskites have already been shown to hold potential for solar panels, LEDs and laser technologies. However, perovskite quantum dots have major issues with stability when exposed to air, heat, light, and water. The EPFL team has now succeeded in building perovskite quantum dot films with a technique that helps them overcome these weaknesses.
EPFL researchers have designed a new type of inorganic nanocomposite that makes perovskite quantum dots (nanometer-sized semiconducting materials with unique optical properties) exceptionally stable against exposure to air, sunlight, heat, and water.
Quantum dots made from perovskites have already been shown to hold potential for solar panels, LEDs and laser technologies. However, perovskite quantum dots have major issues with stability when exposed to air, heat, light, and water. The EPFL team has now succeeded in building perovskite quantum dot films with a technique that helps them overcome these weaknesses.
