May 2026

A Kookmin University team has been selected for a government-backed nanomaterials technology development program focused on next-generation display materials. The project, supported by South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation, brings together a multidisciplinary team to advance metal-halide color conversion materials.

The initiative centers on developing ultrathin perovskite-based color conversion layers for AR/VR and metaverse displays. The team will leverage AI-driven inverse design, combined with a closed-loop high-throughput screening platform, to accelerate materials discovery and optimization.

Researchers from City University of Hong Kong and Chinese Academy of Sciences recently demonstrated a bio‑inspired antioxidant strategy that enables record performance in narrow‑bandgap tin-lead (Sn-Pb) perovskite solar cells, achieving a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 23.46% and enabling monolithic all‑perovskite tandem devices with 29.95% efficiency (29.44% certified). By precisely engineering both the perovskite bulk and its surface with complementary organic molecules, the team addresses the long‑standing problem of Sn²⁺ oxidation that has limited the quality and stability of Sn-Pb absorbers.

The work targets one of the key bottlenecks in all‑perovskite tandem architectures: the development of high‑performance, narrow‑bandgap Sn–Pb bottom cells. In these materials, the divalent tin ions (Sn²⁺) are prone to oxidation, which leads to precursor degradation, impurity formation and poor device performance. To mitigate this, the researchers introduce a dual‑molecule, bio‑inspired antioxidant approach that separates bulk stabilization from interface passivation, using gallic acid (GA) and tannic acid (TA) in distinct, complementary roles.

Hanwha Solutions has reduced its recently announced contested rights offering, but refrained from reducing Qcells’ tandem investment plan.

Hanwha’s board approved a new 1.71 trillion won capital raise, down from 1.8 trillion won in the previous revision and 2.4 trillion won in the original March plan. The cuts came mainly from the financing structure and debt-repayment portion, while the 907.7 billion won allocation for perovskite tandem and related solar manufacturing investment was left unchanged.

Researchers from Taiwan's National Cheng Kung University and Chung Yuan Christian University have developed an interface-engineering strategy to overcome key efficiency bottlenecks in mesoporous perovskite solar cells by introducing APTS-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (APTS-rGO) into the electron transport structure.

The team focused on addressing persistent limitations associated with mesoporous TiO₂ (mp-TiO₂), which, despite its widespread use as an electron transport layer, suffers from interfacial resistance, energy level mismatch, and surface defect states that promote charge recombination. These effects suppress key photovoltaic parameters, including open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit current density (Jsc), and fill factor (FF).

Researchers from China's Northwestern Polytechnical University and Xijing University have developed an ambient laser shock annealing (LSA) strategy to precisely control crystallization kinetics in quasi-two-dimensional (Q-2D) perovskites, enabling solar cells that combine high efficiency with markedly improved stability.

The approach leverages an ultrafast laser pulse to simultaneously deliver thermal energy and a mechanical shock wave, initiating crystallization through a transient but stable PbI₂ intermediate phase. This coupled photothermal–mechanical process unfolds on the timescale of the laser pulse and generates a peak pressure of 8.91 GPa. Notably, the induced stress field remains highly uniform, with attenuation below 5% across a 500 nm film thickness, allowing controlled structural evolution throughout the perovskite layer.

At a recent TaiyangNews conference, Menglei Xu, R&D Director at JinkoSolar, presented advancements in this field, including a perovskite-TOPCon tandem cell achieving a conversion efficiency of 34.76%. This milestone was enabled by the use of commercial TOPCon cells with efficiencies above 27% and open-circuit voltages (Voc) exceeding 748 mV, underscoring the importance of high Voc in two-terminal (2T) tandem configurations.

JinkoSolar’s approach involves depositing the perovskite layers on the rear side of the TOPCon cell, effectively flipping the structure to form the tandem device. Since the rear surface is initially planar, it must first be textured to form pyramidal features approximately 0.6-0.7 µm in size to enhance light management. Using a configuration with n-type poly-silicon fingers on the front and a full-area p-type poly layer on the rear, the team achieved an efficiency of 32.73%. However, parasitic absorption in the rear p-poly layer limited the short-circuit current density (Jsc) to 20.4 mA/cm², highlighting a key area for further optimization.

Five Japanese companies – Aisin, Enecoat Technologies, Sekisui Solar Film, Panasonic and Ricoh - have established the Japan Association for the Promotion of Perovskite Solar Cells (JPSC), a new industry alliance aimed at accelerating the deployment of PSC technologies in Japan. 

JPSC will focus on practical, industry‑wide issues needed for commercialization of PSCs, including:

• Unifying technical and product standards for perovskite solar cells and related modules
• Establishing safety and quality assurance frameworks and certification schemes
• Developing supply chains for materials, films and installation components
• Studying recycling and end‑of‑life treatment methods specific to PSC devices

In addition, the association intends to act as an interface with policymakers, submitting proposals and technical input as Japan moves to support domestic PSC manufacturing and deployment under its national energy strategy. 

Researchers from China's Hebei University and Shaanxi Normal University have developed a portable visual sensing platform for rapid, on-site detection of trace water content, leveraging H₂O-triggered lattice regulation in lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (HPNCs). The approach combines perovskite photophysics with a water-activated redox reaction to enable accurate, instrument-free analysis with performance comparable to the Karl Fischer (K–F) titration method.

Accurate trace water detection is critical across industries including chemical manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and fuel systems, where even small amounts of water can degrade product quality, reduce stability, or introduce safety risks such as unwanted reactions or system failures. While K–F titration remains the standard technique, it requires specialized instrumentation and trained personnel, limiting its use to laboratory environments and preventing real-time, on-site monitoring.

Chinese satellite PV developer Xingyi Xinneng (Shangyi Optoelectronics), which operates under the SUNY brand and is backed by Drinda Corporation, has started in-orbit validation for its new flexible encapsulation material designed for space photovoltaic applications. The material is said to be based on a CPI (colorless polyimide) film tailored for lightweight, flexible solar array structures.

The CPI encapsulation test structures were launched on May 15, 2026, on board the “Youxi” (Tianyan‑27) satellite, one of five satellites carried to space by a Lijian‑1 (Y13) solid-fueled rocket from the Jiuquan/Dongfeng commercial space launch site in China. Official Chinese launch reports state that the mission inserted the payloads into a sun‑synchronous orbit, providing suitable conditions for continuous solar exposure and long-term environmental testing.

China’s upcoming Shenzhou-23 crewed mission will carry two types of perovskite solar cell materials and devices to the China Space Station, to test the in‑orbit performance of this technology in such an environment. The experiment aims to evaluate how different perovskite architectures handle the harsh conditions of low‑Earth orbit, including strong UV radiation, high‑energy particles, atomic oxygen, and large temperature swings.

Shenzhou‑23 will deliver both single‑junction perovskite devices and perovskite‑based tandem solar cell samples to the space station for long‑term testing. The samples, developed under the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Semiconductors, are designed to leverage perovskite’s high absorption coefficient, low-temperature processability and high specific power, targeting lightweight, thin and flexible form factors suitable for space power systems. The experiment aims to correlate device performance with combined stressors including UV-rich space radiation spectra, high-energy particle irradiation, atomic oxygen exposure and severe thermal cycling.