April 2025

Solution-processed tin (Sn²⁺)-halide perovskites can be used to create p-channel thin-film transistors (TFTs) with performance levels comparable with commercial low-temperature polysilicon technology. However, high-quality perovskite film deposition using industry-compatible production techniques remains challenging. 

To address this challenge, researchers at Pohang University of Science and Technology, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science and University of Electronic Science and Technology of China have fabricated p-channel Sn²⁺-halide perovskite TFTs using a thermal evaporation approach with inorganic caesium tin iodide (CsSnI₃). 

Researchers at Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and the UK's University of Oxford have asserted that while perovskite-on-silicon tandem solar cells are highly promising, the intrinsic multilayer device design presents challenges in complexity, which can be a drawback in future mass production. To this end, they developed a TiO_x layer (∼3–5 nm) grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD), that enables a series interconnection of a perovskite n-i-p top cell with a silicon wafer directly. 

A photo of the tandem solar cell fabricated on a 25 mm × 25 mm Si substrate. Image from: Small

The TiO_x layer serves as an all-in-one interconnect, fulfilling the functions of silicon surface passivation, hole extraction from silicon, and recombination junction at the top/bottom cell interface. As a result, a proof-of-concept 22.4%-efficient tandem device was demonstrated. Furthermore, an improved PCE of 26.5% was achieved by capping the TiOx with a thin ALD-TiNy layer (∼4 nm). 

UbiQD, which recently acquired BlueDot Photonics, has announced the close of its $20 million Series B financing round. The round was led by Phoenix Venture Partners (PVP), with participation from Builders VC, Azura Group, Builders Vision, Stout Street Capital, Seraph Partners, Scout Ventures, New Mexico Vintage Fund, and others. 

UbiQD's proprietary quantum dot technology aims to revolutionize light utilization in greenhouse agriculture, solar energy, security and other critical industries. By enhancing the efficiency, durability, and sustainability of fluorescence in these applications, the company is addressing major challenges across multiple sectors.

A research team led by Professor In Soo-il from the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) recently developed a beta battery that directly consolidates radioactive isotope electrodes and perovskite absorption layers.

As the miniaturization of electronic devices accelerates, the demand for new power supply technologies that can minimize charging cycles surges. However, lithium and nickel-based batteries currently in widespread use have short lifespans and are vulnerable to heat and humidity, showing limitations in extreme environments. As an alternative to overcome these limitations, the technology of "betavoltaic cells," which can provide stable power for years to decades, is gaining attention.

Researchers at Tokyo City University recently developed flexible perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells by fabricating perovskite solar cells atop bendable thin-crystalline silicon solar cells. By reducing the thickness of the silicon substrate to approximately 60 µm, applying microtexturing to its surface, and incorporating a low-refractive index-doped layer, the team produced a flexible silicon heterojunction solar cell with an efficiency exceeding 21%. 

Subsequently, by optimizing the self-assembled monolayer processing conditions on the microtextured surface and constructing an inverted perovskite solar cell on the flexible SHJ, they achieved 26.5% efficiency for the flexible perovskite/silicon tandem solar cell. 

It was reported that a Chinese perovskite manufacturer called Sunshine has completed construction of a MW-scale pilot line for large-area perovskite solar module production. According to local government sources, the project is located in Shushan Economic Development Zone, Hefei, Anhui Province, and is part of Anhui’s key R&D initiative.

The government of Shushan Economic Development Zone states Sunshine has achieved a certified perovskite cell efficiency of 25.05% and developed a 900 cm² perovskite module using its proprietary vapor-assisted printing technology. 

Ultraviolet (UV)-induced damage and limited solar spectrum utilization can hinder the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In a recent study, researchers from Fuzhou University and Chinese Academy of Sciences developed a thermally activated delayed fluorescent (TADF) molecule, 4CzIPN, to address these challenges. 

Acting as a down-conversion agent, 4CzIPN can convert UV light to visible light via Förster energy transfer, enhancing light absorption and reducing photon loss. Additionally, it can bind Pb²⁺ defects and prevents organic cation degradation through cationic π-effects, stabilizing the perovskite structure. By serving as a crystal growth site, 4CzIPN can promote intermediate phase formation and delay the crystallization process, and improve film quality while mitigating residual stress due to its high thermal expansion coefficient. Furthermore, its UV filtration and hydrophobic properties would reduce perovskite decomposition and device degradation.

Global giant BOE has updated on progress in its perovskite business during its 2024 earnings briefing. 

Key milestones include:

• Achieving 26.3% efficiency on 25 × 25 mm lab-scale cells (March 2025)
• Reaching 20.79% on 300 × 300 mm cells via a pilot line launched in May 2024;
• Hitting 17.52% efficiency on 1.2 × 2.4 m modules from a semi-industrial line launched in Sept. 2024, setting a record for the largest-area, highest-efficiency reported perovskite module to date.
• In March, Chinese smartphone manufacturer Infinix released the world’s first solar-charging smartphone using BOE’s advanced perovskite technology. BOE disclosed that this product is still in R&D at present.

Perovskite solar company SolaEon Technology has announced that its all-perovskite tandem solar cell achieved a certified conversion efficiency of 31.38%, with a stabilized MPPT efficiency of 30.7%.

Solaeon states that this sets a new global record for this cell type and that its tandem cell efficiency has risen from 29.34% in 2024 to 31.38%.

Researchers from Korea's Pusan National University, Gyeongsang National University, Ajou University and Switzerland's Zurich University of Applied Sciences have addressed the stability issue of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), namely the weak adhesion of C60 to perovskite layers, due to van der Waals interactions, that hinders long-term stability. 

The team developed electron-deficient intermolecular adhesives (EDIAs) as a novel interlayer material to enhance adhesion between perovskite and C60 layers. Comprehensive analyses, including density functional theory calculations, microscopy, and spectroscopy, demonstrated that EDIAs, particularly NDI-C9-Ace comprising of three key functionalities: a π-electron-deficient arene core, a hydrophobic passivation core, and a secondary-bond anchoring core, significantly improved bonding strength and recombination passivation.