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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 1,225 records · Page 68
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2019

Simulation of thermal hydraulic performance of multiple parallel micropin arrays for concentrating solar thermal applications with supercritical carbon dioxide

Concentrated solar power (CSP) plants have the potential to provide 24 h, renewable electricity. Current CSP systems have high capital and operational costs which makes the levelized cost of electricity uncompetitive with conventional techniques. Recent experimental research has shown the potential of small unit cells (up to 2 × 2 cm) containing micropin arrays (D H < 1 mm) to operate efficiently at high incident flux (>140 W cm -2 ) using supercritical carbon dioxide as the working fluid. Applying this technology to CSP systems would result in a smaller central receiver, which would reduce thermal losses, increase receiver efficiency and reduce the capital cost of the receiver component. This study investigates and addresses the practical thermal and hydraulic issues in numbering up these small unit cells into numerous parallel cells within an integrated module design. A thermal hydraulic network model is developed to quantify the distribution and the overall receiver efficiency of an integrated module. This model is used to specify maximum allowable unit cell size and header dimensions to maintain acceptable thermal performance and pressure loss. Once a module design was finalized, parametric studies were performed to study the effects of varying incident flux on flow distribution and thermal performance of the module. Finally, the results show that an integrated module design can be achieved with less than 5% flow maldistribution and a pressure drop acceptable to the remainder of the system.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Improved modeling of photoluminescent and electroluminescent coupling in multijunction solar cells

The performance of tandem stacks of Group III-V multijunction solar cells continues to improve rapidly, both through improved performance of the individual cells in the stack and through increase in the number of stacked cells. As the radiative efficiency of these individual cells increases, radiative coupling between the stacked cells becomes an increasingly important factor not only in cell design, but also in accurate efficiency measurement and in determining performance of cells and systems under varying spectral conditions in the field. Past modeling has concentrated on electroluminescent coupling between the cells, although photoluminescent coupling is shown to be important for cells operating near their maximum power point voltage or below or when junction defect recombination is significant. Extension of earlier models is proposed to allow this non-negligible component of luminescent coupling to be included. The refined model is validated by measurement of the closely related external emission from both single and double junction cells.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Robust, High-Performing Maize–Perovskite-Based Solar Cells with Improved Stability

Herein, we focus on improving the long-term chemical and thermomechan-ical stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), two major challenges currently limiting their commercial deployment. Our strategy incorporates a long-chain starch polymer into the perovskite precursor. The starch polymer confers multiple beneficial effects by forming hydrogen bonds with the methylammonium iodide precursor, templating perovskite growth that results in a compact and homogeneous film deposited in a simple one-step coating (antisolvent-free). The inclusion of starch in the methylammonium lead iodide films strongly improves their thermomechanical and environmental stability while maintaining a high photovoltaic performance. The fracture energy (G c ) of the film is increased to above 5 J/m 2 by creating a nanocomposite that provides intrinsic reinforcement at grain boundaries. Additionally, improved optoelectronic properties achieved with the starch polymer enable good photostability of the active layer and enhanced resistance to thermal cycling.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
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 OSTI2022

Copper Outdiffusion from Copper-Plated Solar Cell Contacts during Damp Heat Exposure

Plated copper (Cu) contacts for silicon (Si) solar cells are an attractive alternative material to conventional screenprinted silver, but there are unresolved questions on the long-term integrity of plated contact structures. Here, in this work, we perform characterization on plated Cu contacts from encapsulated cells that were degraded during extended exposure to damp heat (DH) stress. First, using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, we find evidence of Cu outdiffusion upward through capping layers made of both tin and silver applied with light-induced plating, resulting in a layer of Cu on the outer contact surface. We hypothesize that if Cu is mobile in the module, it may eventually find some route by which to enter the Si cells where it can degrade performance. Subsequently, in several types of Cu-plated, DH-degraded cells, secondary ion mass spectrometry detects elevated levels of Cu at the Si surface and in the Si cell bulk, which suggests that Cu can indeed migrate from contacts into Si over the course of DH stress.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Correlating highpower conversion efficiency of PTB7:PC 71 BM inverted organic solar cells with nanoscale structures [Unraveling the correlation between the structural aspects and power conversion efficiency in PTB7:PC 71 BM inverted organic solar cells]

Advances in materials design and device engineering led to inverted organic solar cells (i-OSCs) with superior power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) to their conventional counterparts, in addition to the well-known better ambient stability. Despite the significant progress, however, it has so far been unclear how the morphologies of the photoactive layer and its interface with the cathode modifying layer impact device performance. Here, we report an in-depth morphology study of the i-OSC active and cathode modifying layers, employing a model system with the well-established bulk-heterojunction, PTB7:PC 71 BM as the active layer and poly-[(9,9-bis(3 -( N,N -dimethylamino)propyl)-2,7-fluorene)- alt -2,7-(9,9-dioctylfluorene)] (PFN) as the cathode surface modifying layer. We have also identified the role of a processing additive, 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO), used in the spin-casting of the active layer to increase PCE. Using a variety of characterization techniques, we demonstrate that the high PCEs of i-OSCs are due to the smearing (diffusion) of electron-accepting PC 71 BM into the PFN layer, resulting in improved electron transport. The PC 71 BM diffusion occurs after spin-casting the active layer onto the PFN layer, when residual solvent molecules act as a plasticizer. Furthermore, the DIO additive, with a higher boiling point than the host solvent, has a longer residence time in the spin-cast active layer, resulting in more PC 71 BM smearing and therefore more efficient electron transport. This work provides important insight and guidance to further enhancement of i-OSC performance by materials and interface engineering.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

From binary to quaternary: high-tolerance of multi-acceptors enables development of efficient polymer solar cells [From binary to quaternary: high-tolerance of multi-acceptors enables efficient polymer solar cells]

For optimum coverage of the optical spectrum and further enhancement of the carrier transport, ternary and even more multi-composition strategies have been universally explored. As PC 71 BM and PC 61 BM are both compatible with PTB7-Th and IEICO-4F takes advantage of optical absorption in the near-infrared region, we combined PTB7-Th:IEICO-4F:PC 71 BM:PC 61 BM quaternary compositions to fabricate high-efficiency polymer solar cells (PSCs) with good tolerance ratios of the fullerene acceptors. After blending the fullerene alloys PC 71 BM and PC 61 BM into the host PTB7-Th:IEICO-4F system, the optical response in the whole wavelength regime has been strengthened with significantly enhanced electron mobility. Concomitantly, the short-circuit current density ( J sc ) surged from 22.07 to 24.37 mA cm –2 and the fill factor (FF) ascended from 58.24% to 69.30%, which finally resulted in a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 12.52%, which is much higher than that of the binary control device (9.67%). This significant improvement is attributed to the fine-tuning of the morphology of the photo-active layer and feasible carrier transport. Interestingly, this finding implicates the synergistic effect of PC 71 BM and PC 61 BM to successfully enhancing the carrier transport. In addition, it demonstrates a broad tolerance of the acceptor proportions, resulting in higher PCE values for the quaternary devices as compared to the ternary devices. Lastly, generality for other systems evidences and provides guidelines for quaternary strategy utilization. Furthermore, the simplicity of quaternary strategies could be greatly beneficial to not yet elaborate commercial processes.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Direct imaging of enhanced current collection on grain boundaries of Cu(In,Ga)Se{sub 2} solar cells

We report on direct imaging of current collection by performing conductive atomic force microscopy (C-AFM) measurement on a complete Cu(In,Ga)Se{sub 2} solar cell. The localized current was imaged by milling away the top conductive layer of the device by repeated C-AFM scans. The result exhibits enhanced photocurrent collection on grain boundaries (GBs) of CIGS films, consistent with the argument for electric-field-assisted carrier collection on the GBs.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

The effect of copper on the sub-bandgap density of states of CdTe solar cells

Two optical sub-bandgap transitions in CdTe thin-film solar cells have been identified using detailed transient photocapacitance and transient photocurrent spectroscopy measurements. A broad response centered at E V + 0.9 eV directly correlates with the quantity of Cu present in the absorber layer, while a second response at E V + 1.2 eV does not depend on Cu or Zn and may be an intrinsic defect. Furthermore, these results demonstrate the influence of Cu on the sub-bandgap density of states of CdTe, and they are critical to understanding, modeling, and improving its optoelectronic properties.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Radial dependence of solar energetic particles derived from the 15 March 2013 solar energetic particle event and global MHD simulation

We study an unusual solar energetic particle (SEP) event that was associated with the coronal mass ejection (CME) on March 15, 2013. Enhancements of the SEP fluxes were first detected by the ACE spacecraft at 14:00 UT, ∼7 hours after the onset of the CME (07:00 UT), and the SEP’s peak intensities were recorded ∼36 hours after the onset of the CME. Our recent study showed that the CME-driven shock Mach number, based on a global three-dimensional (3-D) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation, is well correlated with the time-intensity of 10-30 MeV and 30-80 MeV protons. Here we focus on the radial dependence (r{sup −α}) of {sup 4}He (3.43-41.2 MeV/n) and O (7.30-89.8 MeV/n) energetic particles from ACE/SIS. It is found that the scaling factor (α) ranges between 2 and 4 for most of the energy channels. We also found that the correlation coefficients tend to increase with SEP energies.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2022

Viewing convection as a solar farm phenomenon broadens modern power predictions for solar photovoltaics

We report heat mitigation for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays is crucial to extend lifetime and energy harvesting capacity. PV module temperature is dependent on site-specific farm geometry, yet common predictions consider panel-scale and environmental factors only. Here, we characterize convective cooling in diverse PV array designs, capturing combined effects of spatial and atmospheric variation on panel temperature and production. Parameters, including row spacing, panel inclination, module height, and wind velocity, are explored through wind tunnel experiments, high-resolution numerical simulations, and operating field data. A length scale based on fractal lacunarity encapsulates all aspects of arrangement (angle, height, etc.) in a single value. When applied to the Reynolds number Re within the canonical Nusselt number heat transfer correlation, lacunarity reveals a relationship between convection and farm-specific geometry. This correlation can be applied to existing and forthcoming array designs to optimize convective cooling, ultimately increasing production and PV cell life.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

VELOCITY-SHEAR-INDUCED MODE COUPLING IN THE SOLAR ATMOSPHERE AND SOLAR WIND: IMPLICATIONS FOR PLASMA HEATING AND MHD TURBULENCE

We analytically consider how velocity shear in the corona and solar wind can cause an initial Alfven wave to drive up other propagating signals. The process is similar to the familiar coupling into other modes induced by non-WKB refraction in an inhomogeneous plasma, except here the refraction is a consequence of velocity shear. We limit our discussion to a low-beta plasma, and ignore couplings into signals resembling the slow mode. If the initial Alfven wave is propagating nearly parallel to the background magnetic field, then the induced signals are mainly a forward-going (i.e., propagating in the same sense as the original Alfven wave) fast mode, and a driven signal propagating like a forward-going Alfven wave but polarized like the fast mode; both signals are compressive and subject to damping by the Landau resonance. For an initial Alfven wave propagating obliquely with respect to the magnetic field, the induced signals are mainly forward- and backward-going fast modes, and a driven signal propagating like a forward-going Alfven wave but polarized like the fast mode; these signals are all compressive and subject to damping by the Landau resonance. A backward-going Alfven wave, thought to be important in the development of MHD turbulence, is also produced, but it is very weak. However, we suggest that for oblique propagation of the initial Alfven wave the induced fast-polarized signal propagating like a forward-going Alfven wave may interact coherently with the initial Alfven wave and distort it at a strong-turbulence-like rate.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Electron energy partition in the ‘above-the-looptop’ solar hard X-ray sources

The presentation begins by considering the non-thermal fraction of electron energies (R ε ) in 'above-the-looptop' (ALT). Several spectral models area considered: isothermal model, power-law, and the newly derived kappa distribution. Technically, all 3 non-thermal models can fit the data. In the discussion of flare scenario, energy partition, energization mechanism, and collisionality are considered. It is concluded that the kappa distribution works (R ε ≲ 50%), magnetic reconnection scenario works, and Coulomb collisions may reduce the non-thermal fraction of electron energies.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Metastability and reliability of CdTe solar cells

Thin-film modules of all technologies often suffer from performance degradation over time. Some of the performance changes are reversible and some are not, which makes deployment, testing, and energy-yield prediction more challenging. Manufacturers devote significant empirical efforts to study these phenomena and to improve semiconductor device stability. Still, understanding the underlying reasons of these instabilities remains clouded due to the lack of ability to characterize materials at atomistic levels and the lack of interpretation from the most fundamental material science. The most commonly alleged causes of metastability in CdTe devices, such as ‘migration of Cu’, have been investigated rigorously over the past fifteen years. Still, the discussion often ended prematurely with stating observed correlations between stress conditions and changes in atomic profiles of impurities or CV doping concentration. Multiple hypotheses suggesting degradation of CdTe solar cell devices due to interaction and evolution of point defects and complexes were proposed, and none of them received strong theoretical or experimental confirmation. We believe it should be noted that atomic impurity profiles in CdTe provide very little intelligence on active doping concentrations. The same elements could form different energy states, which could be either donors or acceptors, depending on their position in crystalline lattice. Defects interact with other extrinsic and intrinsic defects; for example, changing the state of an impurity from an interstitial donor to a substitutional acceptor often is accompanied by generation of a compensating intrinsic interstitial donor defect. Moreover, all defects, intrinsic and extrinsic, interact with the electrical potential and free carriers so that charged defects may drift in the electric field and the local electrical potential affects the formation energy of the point defects. Such complexity of interactions in CdTe makes understanding of temporal changes in device performance even more challenging and a closed solution that can treat the entire system and its interactions is required.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗