Solar Energy News
SOLAR DAILY
Lithuanian invention at the forefront of solar technology breakthrough
A group of chemists at Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania synthesised materials that self-assemble into monolayer - highly innovative concept for new-generation solar cells.
Lithuanian invention at the forefront of solar technology breakthrough
by Staff Writers
Kaunas, Lithuania (SPX) Aug 24, 2023

29, 30, 32... - these are not random numbers, but the efficiency of solar cells, measured by the percentage of incidental sunlight they convert into electrical power. The ellipsis at the end of the line is also not a coincidence, as the efficiency of tandem solar cells has already exceeded 32%. "There is a kind of race going on among research teams around the world. In the last year, the solar cell efficiency record has been broken three or four times, it's just the publication of scientific papers that takes time," says Dr Artiom Magomedov, a researcher at Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania.

According to Dr Magomedov, the co-author of a recent paper published in the prestigious scientific journal Science, the most current published record for tandem perovskite solar cells is 32.5 percent. The paper reports on the improvements in silicon-perovskite tandem cells that have made this possible.

"Tandem solar cells have more than ten layers, so it is technologically very challenging to ensure their smooth operation. The development of such solar cells involves a large number of researchers. For example, our research team is responsible for one of the layers, which is made of hole-transporting materials," explains Dr Magomedov, a researcher at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), Lithuania.

Back in 2018, a group of KTU chemists synthesised a material that forms a molecule-thick layer, also known as a monolayer, which evenly covers a variety of surfaces. Several highly efficient solar cells have already been developed using this material. According to Dr Magomedov, one of the authors of the invention, the KTU innovation has become a commonplace among scientists developing the latest solar technologies.

"Our materials are used by research groups all over the world, and you hear about their application in almost every conference presentation on the subject," says Dr Magomedov.

The mass-production of next generation solar cells will have to wait
The recent scientific article is Dr Magomedov's second co-authored publication in Science, and is serving as a follow-up to the previous one, proposing a solution to the challenge at hand.

"Although our materials help achieve the highest efficiency, it is difficult to form another layer on top. After our previous paper in Science, we received a lot of attention and comments about how our materials act in different contexts. In the current paper, we show one way to address the problems," says Dr Magomedov.

More details about the improvement proposed by the KTU research team, which, together with the solutions developed by other scientists around the world, has led to the construction of an ultra-high-efficiency tandem solar cell, can be found in the scientific article. The ultra-high efficiency tandem solar cell was constructed by a research group led by Prof Steve Albrecht from Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, in Germany.

Silicon solar cells have a peak potential efficiency of only 29%; the world needs more and more alternative energy sources due to the climate change crisis. Tandem solar cells consist of two types of photoactive layers - a perovskite solar element is placed on top of silicon. The silicon layer collects infrared light, while the perovskite collects blue light from the visible spectrum, increasing the efficiency of the solar cell. However, according to Dr Magomedov, it will still take time for the new generation of solar cells to replace those in use today.

"In theory, electricity made by tandem solar cells would be cheaper because the additional materials used are cheaper. However, in practice, the final commercial product does not exist, the technological processes are not ready for mass production. Moreover, the cell itself, which is only being developed in laboratories so far, also raises unanswered questions. For example, not all materials are suitable for mass production, which means that alternatives have to be found," explains the KTU scientist.

One of the biggest challenges in the production of these cells so far, he says, is their stability. Solar cells are expected to last for 25 years, during which time they will lose 10% of their efficiency. However, testing over such a long period of time is difficult, so there is no definitive answer as to how the new generation of solar cells will wear out.

Lithuanian chemists - world experts in new materials for solar cells
The synthesis and analysis of chemical materials for solar technologies has been Dr Magomedov's topic since the beginning of his undergraduate studies, when he joined a research group led by KTU Professor Vytautas Getautis. As the need for new materials for solar cells emerged, the talented chemists used their competences and established themselves in the niche that opened up, gaining international recognition.

"We are probably the most specialised research group in the world," jokes Dr Magomedov.

He says that good results are motivating, offer exciting prospects for collaboration and open up new research opportunities. It is great to contribute to a global scientific breakthrough. In addition, Dr Magomedov said, the development of solar technologies is a very topical issue in the context of today's world, and the inventions can be widely applied.

"Broadly speaking, we are working with new electronics with a very wide range of applications. And of course, in the topic of solar technology itself, the solar energy storage and batteries issue is inevitably coming up," says Dr Magomedov.

Currently, a research group of KTU chemists led by Prof Getautis is involved in a project to develop a pilot production line for tandem silicon-perovskite solar cells, and is looking for ways to apply the developed materials to other technologies, such as light emitting diodes. In parallel, fundamental questions are also being explored, such as why semiconductors developed in the lab work the way they do.

Scientific publications in such high-level journals as Science or those belonging to Nature group are not new to KTU researchers. According to Dr Magomedov, a mention in a prestigious scientific publication not only gives a sense of personal victory, but also leads to global recognition. International cooperation and involvement in scientific activities becomes much easier.

"Nowadays, when we contact partners in other countries, there is no need to lengthily introduce ourselves. People already know our work," says Dr Magomedov, one of the authors of the invention instrumental for increasing the efficiency of solar cells.

Research Report:Triple-halide perovskite interface engineering for high-performance silicon tandem solar cells

Related Links
Kaunas University of Technology
All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
SOLAR DAILY
To improve solar and other clean energy tech, look beyond hardware
Boston MA (SPX) Aug 21, 2023
To continue reducing the costs of solar energy and other clean energy technologies, scientists and engineers will likely need to focus, at least in part, on improving technology features that are not based on hardware, according to MIT researchers. They describe this finding and the mechanisms behind it in Nature Energy. While the cost of installing a solar energy system has dropped by more than 99 percent since 1980, this new analysis shows that "soft technology" features, such as the codified pe ... read more

SOLAR DAILY
Making aviation fuel from biomass

Chevron, partners develop a transportation fuel using animal waste as a feedstock

Illinois research leading to cleaner propane production method

Transforming flies into degradable plastics

SOLAR DAILY
Baidu leads public rollout of AI chatbots in China

ChatGPT turns to business as popularity wanes

System based on light may yield powerful, efficient large language models

AI helps robots manipulate objects with their whole bodies

SOLAR DAILY
Interior Department holds offshore wind energy auction for Gulf

DLR opens wind energy research farm in Krummendeich

World's largest floating offshore wind farm starts full service, Norway's Equinor says

U.S. identifies three new areas for potential offshore wind energy development

SOLAR DAILY
China EV giant XPeng to buy rival for more than $740 million

Chinese electric carmaker BYD triples half-year profit

London businesses weary as vehicle pollution toll zone expands

London vehicle pollution toll zone expands despite controversy

SOLAR DAILY
Alumnus' thermal battery helps industry eliminate fossil fuels

Jeep owner Stellantis invests $100 mn in US lithium

DoE announces $112 million for research on computational projects in fusion energy sciences

US lab repeats nuclear fusion feat, with higher yield

SOLAR DAILY
Sweden to clear obstacles for new nuclear reactors

Ukraine nuclear plants fully operational for winter: operator

No explosives found on Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant roofs: IAEA

Niger coup raises questions about uranium dependence

SOLAR DAILY
British energy regulator Ofgem cuts energy bills to lowest since late 2021

European energy firms doing nothing to tackle climate change, says Greenpeace

Campaigners urge debt cancellation to cut fossil fuel reliance

UK lagging in switch to green energy, study warns

SOLAR DAILY
Voluntary deforestation carbon credits failing: study

Tropical forests nearing critical temperatures thresholds

Canada to challenge latest US duties on softwood lumber

Illegal logging turns Syria's forests into 'barren land'

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.