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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 307 records · Page 17
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Emerging inorganic solar cell efficiency tables (version 2)

Abstract This paper presents the second version of the efficiency tables of materials considered as emerging inorganic absorbers for photovoltaic solar cell technologies. The materials collected in these tables are selected based on their progress in recent years, and their demonstrated potential as future photovoltaic absorbers. The first part of the paper consists of the guidelines for the inclusion of the different technologies in this paper, the verification means used by the authors, and recommendation for measurement best practices. The second part details the highest world-class certified solar cell efficiencies, and the highest non-certified cases (some independently confirmed). The third part highlights the new entries including the record efficiencies, as well as new materials included in this version of the tables. The final part is dedicated to review a specific aspect of materials research that the authors consider of high relevance for the scientific community. In this version of the efficiency tables, we are including an overview of the latest progress in quasi one-dimensional absorbers, such as antimony chalcogenides, for photovoltaic applications.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Semi-transparent p-type barium copper sulfide as a back contact interface layer for cadmium telluride solar cells

Optically transparent p-type materials play a critical role in transparent electronics including photovoltaic (PV) devices. P-type sulfide materials offer an alternative to oxides for PV application due to improved hole transport properties. Here, we report the solution-based synthesis of earth-abundant p-type transparent conducting barium copper sulfide (α-BaCu 4 S 3 , BCS) thin films. These films were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV–Vis–NIR spectrophotometry, Raman spectroscopy, and spectroscopic ellipsometry. BCS films of ~100 nm thickness transmit >70% of visible light. We report on tests of the hole transport properties of these BCS films for cadmium telluride (CdTe) photovoltaics, finding that the BCS deposition process forms a beneficial tellurium (Te) rich surface on CdTe by selectively removing Cd from the surface. Based on our study, the BCS interface layer plays dual functions for CdTe PV devices as a hole transport material and as an etchant, enhancing the resulting device performance. We observed a significant increase in open-circuit voltage of CdTe solar cells with the BCS buffer layer. Furthermore, we discuss semitransparent CdTe solar cells with BCS as a hole transport layer and indium tin oxide as a finishing electrode. Semitransparent CdTe solar cells shows 13.3% conversion efficiency for the front side illumination and 1.2% efficiency for back side illumination, indicating high recombination of charge carriers generated close to the rear CdTe/BCS/ITO contact.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

ZnO quantum dot–molecule conjugates: Chemical interactions, charge dynamics, and spin polarization

Conjugates between molecules and quantum dots (QDs) have been explored for a range of potential applications from photocatalysis and photovoltaics to quantum information science technologies. A particularly ubiquitous material in many of these applications are ZnO QDs since they can accept and transport electrons and can also act as hosts for unique spin states. Conjugates between molecular light absorbers and ZnO QDs have been explored for decades as components in dye-sensitized solar cells. Recently, these materials have also attracted interest for their ability to produce spin-polarized states upon photoexcitation. The current paper employs a series of light absorbing perylene molecules with different ZnO QD sizes to explore key features of these QD–molecule conjugates: (1) chemical interactions, (2) charge dynamics, and (3) spin polarization. The chemical interactions between the molecules and QDs are determined with binding equilibria and reveal dramatic impact of ligand size. The charge transfer dynamics from photoexcited perylenes to ZnO QDs were found to depend exponentially on the linker length. Finally, time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance experiments reveal that these conjugates generate spin-polarized states in the form of radical pairs and triplets. These spin states hold promise as potential qubits and also offer an avenue to efficiently sensitize molecular triplets.

Hernandez, Frida S. [Amherst College, MA (United S↗
DOE OSTI2020

CeTi 2 O 6 —A Promising Oxide for Solar Thermochemical Hydrogen Production

A large entropy of reduction is crucial in achieving materials capable of high-efficiency solar thermochemical hydrogen (STCH) production through two-step thermochemical water splitting cycles. We have recently demonstrated that the onsite electronic entropy of reduction attains an extreme value of 4.26 kB at 1500 K in Ce 4+ → Ce 3+ redox reactions, which explains the high performance and uniqueness of CeO 2 as an archetypal STCH material. However, ceria requires high temperatures (T > 1500 °C) to achieve a reasonable reduction extent because of its large reduction enthalpy, which is a major obstacle in practical applications. Therefore, new materials with a large entropy of reduction and lower reduction enthalpy are required. Here, we perform a systematic screening to search for Ce 4+ -based oxides which possess thermodynamics superior to CeO 2 for STCH production. We first search the Inorganic Crystal Structure Database (ICSD) and literature for Ce 4+ -based oxides and subsequently use density functional theory to compute their reduction enthalpies (i.e., oxygen vacancy formation energies). Here, we find that CeTi 2 O 6 with the brannerite structure is the most promising candidate for STCH because it possesses three essential characteristics of an STCH material: (i) a smaller reduction enthalpy compared to ceria yet large enough to split water, (ii) a high thermal stability, as reported experimentally, and (iii) a large entropy of reduction associated with Ce 4+ → Ce 3+ redox. Our proposed design strategy suggests that further exploration of Ce 4+ oxides for STCH production is warranted.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Imaging Light‐Induced Migration of Dislocations in Halide Perovskites with 3D Nanoscale Strain Mapping

Abstract In recent years, halide perovskite materials have been used to make high‐performance solar cells and light‐emitting devices. However, material defects still limit device performance and stability. Here, synchrotron‐based Bragg coherent diffraction imaging is used to visualize nanoscale strain fields, such as those local to defects, in halide perovskite microcrystals. Significant strain heterogeneity within MAPbBr 3 (MA = CH 3 NH 3 + ) crystals is found in spite of their high optoelectronic quality, and both 〈100〉 and 〈110〉 edge dislocations are identified through analysis of their local strain fields. By imaging these defects and strain fields in situ under continuous illumination, dramatic light‐induced dislocation migration across hundreds of nanometers is uncovered. Further, by selectively studying crystals that are damaged by the X‐ray beam, large dislocation densities and increased nanoscale strains are correlated with material degradation and substantially altered optoelectronic properties assessed using photoluminescence microscopy measurements. These results demonstrate the dynamic nature of extended defects and strain in halide perovskites, which will have important consequences for device performance and operational stability.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Titanium and chromium isotopic compositions of calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions: Implications for the sources of isotopic anomalies and the formation of distinct isotopic reservoirs in the early Solar System

As the earliest-dated solids in our Solar System, calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) provide a record of their formation environment near the young Sun and hold clues to the formation of planetary-scale isotopic reservoirs in the solar protoplanetary disk. Although CAIs from several CV, CK, CM, CO, and ordinary chondrites have been analyzed previously for their Ti isotopic compositions, CAIs from just three CV chondrites have been analyzed for their Cr isotopic compositions, and only a handful of CAIs have been measured for both their Ti and Cr isotopic compositions. We report mass-independent Ti and Cr isotopic anomalies in several CAIs from CV and CK chondrites; this is the first report of the Cr isotopic composition of a CAI from a CK chondrite. With this data, we aim to better constrain the compositional range of CAIs in ε 50 Ti versus ε 54 Cr space, thereby facilitating the isotopic characterization of the material inherited by the solar protoplanetary disk and the role of CAIs in the formation of distinct planetary-scale isotopic reservoirs in our early Solar System. The narrow range in isotopic anomalies in CAIs when compared to other early-formed refractory inclusions such as platy hibonite crystals (PLACs) and spinel-hibonite inclusions (SHIBs) suggests that CAIs record the mixing of these precursor materials and the averaging of their larger isotopic anomalies. The isotopic composition of CAIs is therefore likely the result of a combination of factors, including mixing of material inherited from their formation region, heterogeneous carrier phase distribution, and thermal processing in the disk. The ε 50 Ti and ε 54 Cr isotopic compositions of CAIs are not correlated, further demonstrating that these isotopic anomalies have different carrier phases. The Ti and Cr isotopic compositions of CAIs additionally show that CAIs alone cannot be responsible for the compositional difference between the non-carbonaceous chondritic (NC) and carbonaceous chondritic (CC) isotopic reservoirs but nevertheless do play a role in the formation of these large-scale isotopic reservoirs in the early Solar System.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Transparent and Conductive Inorganic/Polymer‐Composite Encapsulants for Long‐Term Perovskite Solar Cells Operation

An innovative inorganic/polymer-composite encapsulation scheme comprising a polymer-based transparent conductive composite (TCC) coupled with a transparent conductive oxide is introduced to extend the lifetime of moisture-sensitive devices such as perovskite solar cells (PSC). The TCC comprises conductive silver-coated polymethyl methacrylate (Ag-PMMA) microsphere fillers protruding from a transparent non-conductive polymer matrix. TCC samples (5% Ag-PMMA by area) demonstrate high optical transparencies (%T approx. 85% in the 370–1200 nm region), low out-of-plane electrical resistivities (R < 0.2 Ω cm 2 ), and equilibrium permeabilities of less than 1 g mm/m 2 /day, all of which are well-maintained after 1,000 hours of environmental exposure. In practice, the TCC is employed between two indium zinc oxide (IZO) thin films, with the in-plane conductivity of IZO and the out-of-plane conductivity of TCC working collectively to function as a single encapsulating electrode. This encapsulation scheme is exemplified by benchmarking performances of PSCs subjected to accelerated aging conditions of quasi-maximum power point tracking under light soaking in air at 50 °C, 40% R.H. to 60% R.H. Notable improvements in operational lifetimes are observed, with a champion encapsulated PSC maintaining over 90% of its initial efficiency of 21.65% for up to 1,430 hours, compare to less than 300 hours for an unencapsulated control.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

IPL-Annealed Mixed-Cation Perovskites with Robust Coating Window toward Scalable Manufacturing of Commercial Perovskite Solar Cells

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are a promising alternative solar technology, but the technical challenges of (1) stability/durability, (2) efficiency at scale, and (3) manufacturability must be overcome to achieve widespread PSC commercialization. The challenge of balancing solution ink formulation and scalable manufacturing is often overlooked in the literature, where focus is on adopting inks from processes that will not scale. In this study, we apply a classical roll-to-roll manufacturing perspective, utilizing both compositional engineering and intense pulsed light (IPL) annealing, to develop a mixed-cation perovskite ink with a robust coating window that simultaneously solve issues of stability and manufacturability for PSCs. Our method resulted in blade-coated, flexible, mixed-cation PSCs on ITO-PET substrates with a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) efficiency of 16.7% using IPL annealing of the absorber layer and, to our knowledge, is one of the fastest processing methods for the perovskite layer. This overall reduction in processing time with a stable ink represents an advance toward the scaled production of perovskite solar cells on flexible substrates.

flexible perovskite solar cells↗
DOE OSTI2021

Direct observation of charge separation in an organic light harvesting system by femtosecond time-resolved XPS

The ultrafast dynamics of photon-to-charge conversion in an organic light-harvesting system is studied by femtosecond time-resolved X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (TR-XPS) at the free-electron laser FLASH. This novel experimental technique provides site-specific information about charge separation and enables the monitoring of free charge carrier generation dynamics on their natural timescale, here applied to the model donor-acceptor system CuPc:C 60 . A previously unobserved channel for exciton dissociation into mobile charge carriers is identified, providing the first direct, real-time characterization of the timescale and efficiency of charge generation from low-energy charge-transfer states in an organic heterojunction. The findings give strong support to the emerging realization that charge separation even from energetically disfavored excitonic states is contributing significantly, indicating new options for light harvesting in organic heterojunctions.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Quantitative assessment of selenium diffusion and passivation in CdSeTe solar cells probed by spatially resolved cathodoluminescence

The introduction of selenium in CdSeTe/CdTe solar cells has led to improved device performances attributed to the passivation of bulk defects. In this work, high-resolution cathodoluminescence experiments are performed on a series of CdSeTe/CdTe thin films with different Se concentrations to quantify the mechanisms and the passivation role of Se. We demonstrate a universal dependence between the Se concentration and the radiative efficiency and a ten-fold enhancement of the luminescence between CdTe and CdSe 0.4 Te 0.6 . Raw luminescence maps are converted into maps of the Se concentration, revealing its graded profile within the stack. We demonstrate the diffusion of Se along CdTe grain boundaries induced by the cadmium chloride annealing treatment and determine the diffusion coefficients, which are more than eight times higher at grain boundaries than in grain interiors. These results provide microscopic insights into the distribution of Se and its impact on the passivation of CdSeTe/CdTe solar cells.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Reformed Mesoporous Ge for Substrate Reuse in III-V Solar Cells

Mesoporous Ge was generated by bipolar electrochemical etching of (100) Ge. Through high-temperature annealing experiments, we found that the mesoporous Ge microstructure produces pore coalescence deep in the structure rather than at the surface. III-V epitaxy on annealed porous Ge with subsurface coalescence and coral-like structures on the surface produced shunted photovoltaic devices. The roughness of the annealed porous Ge film was reduced by a pre-annealing HBr treatment and a post-annealing ultrasonic DI water dip. A smoother reformed surface was obtained, on which a GaInAs upright device with an efficiency of 5.7% was grown, demonstrating a first step towards technical viability.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Conductive Adhesives for Metallization of Interdigitated Back Contact Solar Cells

The metallization and interconnection of Si solar cells to form a module is usually a multi-step process: cells are metallized individually, soldered into strings, and subsequently assembled into a module. Furthermore, the metallization process for individual cells must be compatible with the doped surfaces being contacted, which creates additional challenges when moving from diffused junctions to heterojunctions and/or passivated contact structures. To mitigate these problems and streamline module manufacturing for the case of interdigitated back contact (IBC) cell modules, we developed an approach wherein unmetallized IBC cells are bonded directly to a circuitized backsheet using a conductive adhesive (CA) that only conducts out-of-plane. The metal/CA/silicon stack is bonded by hot-pressing at 100-200 degrees C.For a CA consisting of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) filled with Ag-coated spheres or indium powder we find that contact resistivities in the range of 1-10 Wcm 2 are obtained, regardless of which conductive filler and which hot pressing parameters are used. XPS revealed that about 1-2 nm EVA residue bonds to the Si in these samples, suggesting the formation of an insulating barrier that is responsible for the high contact resistance. Using indium powder alone, improved contact resistivities <0.6 Wcm 2 , high shunt resistances, and an implied open-circuit voltage loss below 10 mV were obtained. Furthermore, a cost estimate is presented, indicating that substantial cost savings of up to $10/m 2 , or about $0.05/W DC , are possible through CA-based IBC module manufacturing.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Additively Manufactured Molten Salt to Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Heat Exchanger

Design, fabrication, and experimental characterization of the performance of a molten salt (MS)-to-supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO 2 ) heat exchanger (HE) for concentrating solar power (CSP) applications using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) additive manufacturing (AM) of nickel-based superalloys is presented in this report. The hypothesis is that such additively manufactured HEs will result in a monolithic, compact, low-pressure drop HE that is durable under cyclic operation at high temperature and high pressure in a corrosive salt environment. Two nickel-based superalloys were considered in the project- Haynes 230 (H230) and Haynes 282 (H282). Process windows for LPBF AM were established to provide dense low porosity parts for both alloys. Creep tests results on heat treated AM H230 and H282 samples showed that the AM fabricated specimens were as robust as the wrought specimens and showed no deficit in creep strength at high temperatures. Haynes 282 was down selected for the HE fabrication based on better dimensional tolerance, better corrosion resistance to chloride salt, and higher creep strength.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Novel Solar Panel Defect Detection Hardware and Defect Analysis Software (CRADA Final Report)

The CRADA work involved 1) the development of a machine learning software architecture to automatically detect defects within Electroluminescence images of solar panels, and 2) demonstrations of the usefulness of UV Fluorescence (UVF) defect detection for a wide variety of defect types across many different solar panel technologies with different field or environmental chamber histories.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Performance Evaluation of an Additively Manufactured ultra-High Operating Temperature SiC Solar-Thermal Air Receiver (HOTSSTAR) Test Module

Increasing operating temperatures of solar receivers is paramount to the efficiency of concentrated solar thermal and solar power systems. GE Aerospace Research in collaboration with Heliogen Inc and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) is engaged in the development of ultra-High Operating Temperature SiC-matrix Solar Thermal Air Receiver (HOTSSTAR) enabled by additive manufacturing. HOTSSTAR goal is to demonstrate SiC receiver with air exit temperatures up to 1100oC. We discuss fabrication and on-sun test results of a prototype 50kWth test module. The receiver architecture is based on a radial airflow design and consists of a series of radial SiC receiver sectors organized around central absorber. These components were fabricated using binder-jet printed SiC followed by melt-infiltration reaction bonding process. To enhance the thermo-mechanical reliability of SiC test articles in thermal gradient/ shock environment of the application, the components were laminated with GE’s MI SiC CMC. A dedicated test facility was constructed at SNL Solar Tower to evaluate the operational performance of HOTSSTAR module under solar fluxes >200 W/cm2. We report on our final 50kW test module fabrication, integration at the test facility at Sandia, and discuss on-sun test results. We compare the performance of HOTSSTAR module relative to our model predictions.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Tin–Lead Alloying for Efficient and Stable All-Inorganic Perovskite Solar Cells

Cesium containing all-inorganic perovskites have received considerable interest in photovoltaics research because of their potential for improved stability compared to their organic-inorganic hybrid counterparts. However, the inorganic perovskites studied thus far still suffer from lower power conversion efficiency and long-term instability, due to an unfavorable bandgap and either phase instability or air-sensitivity. Herein, A strategy to mitigate these concerns is investigated by alloying tin and lead on the B site to form tin-lead alloyed low-bandgap (~1.34 eV) inorganic CsSn 0.3 Pb 0.7 I 3 perovskites. Solar cells made using this material in an inverted full-structured architecture with a PEDOT:PSS hole transport materials (HTM) attain power conversion efficiency (PCE) up to 9.41% (stabilized PCE 7.23%). Furthermore, a simple HTM-free device without PEDOT:PSS layer is demonstrated more stable than the full-structured device and exhibits a PCE of 7.60% (stabilized PCE 7.31%) – the highest efficiency to date for an inorganic perovskite with a bandgap below 1.40 eV. This simplified device structure shows good reproducibility and stability. Finally, this work provides a possible route for fabricating low-cost, high stability devices with competitive efficiencies.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Community Planning for Solar: Conducting a Community Solar Survey

This guide is designed to assist community officials, volunteers, and regional planning agency staff in conducting a survey of residents to learn about attitudes and development preferences towards solar energy within the community. The guide will provide the key steps, timelines, distribution options, ethics, and considerations that should be made in developing a survey distribution strategy. The guide also contains an overview of various question types and response categories, with considerations for the type of data that are needed for the study. The guide concludes with recommendations for managing data and databases, data visualization, and reporting results. The appendix includes samples of materials used in a solar energy survey, from invitation letters to the survey. This document is intended to provide a practical guide for implementing a survey in communities that are proactively planning for solar development. The guide offers a practical “how-to” plan for conducting a survey. It may be advantageous to consult with an expert in survey development who will be familiar with any methods and techniques described in this guide, but this is not necessary. This guide offers basic considerations and examples of questions and analyses to help a community understand preferences of the community.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗