New World Record For Efficiency For Solar Cells; Inexpensive To Manufacture
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Monitor Electricity (Blog)
June 26, 2008
www.monitorelectricity.com
New World Record For Efficiency For Solar Cells; Inexpensive To Manufacture
Scientists have improved the efficiency of an important type of solar cell from 21.9 to 23.2 percent (a relative improvement of 6 per cent). The efficiency improvement is achieved by the use of an ultra-thin aluminum oxide layer at the front of the cell, and it brings a breakthrough in the use of solar energy a step closer. The costs of applying the thin layer of aluminum oxide are expected to be relatively low.
Keep your Eye on the Bali Conference
The conference of representatives of over 180 countries started Monday, December 3, 2007, and will continue for two weeks. The objective is to launch negotiations for the international agreement that will take over when the current Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012. The surface layer of news coverage will be about the fireworks when the U.S. refuses to back carbon limits, but there’s much more going on there. The outcome will affect our power prices and American exports — i.e., U.S. competitiveness — through 2050. Here are some links to help you follow the events.
Nanowires May Boost Solar Cell Efficiency, Engineers Say
Electrical engineers have created experimental solar cells spiked with nanowires that could lead to highly efficient thin-film solar cells of the future. The new design increases the number of electrons that make it from the light-absorbing polymer to an electrode.
Wireless EEG System Self-powered By Body Heat And Light
Scientists have developed a battery-free wireless 2-channel EEG system powered by a hybrid power supply using body heat and ambient light which could be used to monitor brain waves after a head injury or for other applications. The hybrid power supply combines a thermoelectric generator that uses the heat dissipated from a person’s temples and silicon photovoltaic cells. The entire system is wearable and integrated into a device resembling headphones. The system can provide more than 1mW on average indoor, which is more than enough for the targeted application.
Self-healing Ceramic Modeled: Potentially Useful Material For Nuclear Waste Storage
A new computer simulation reveals a self-healing behavior that repairs radiation-induced damage in yttria-stabilized zirconia, indicating that the engineered ceramic may be suitable for use in development of radiation-resistant materials for nuclear power plants and nuclear waste storage.
Dealing With Wind Variability On The Wind Farm
As Texas’ electric grid operator prepares to add power lines for carrying future wind-generated energy, an electrical engineer at is developing improved methods for determining the extent to which power from a wind farm can displace a conventional power plant, and how best to regulate varying wind power.
SWWP–Making Wind Power Mainstream
Andy Kruse, Senior VP of Business Development for Southwest Windpower, always had the desire to bring renewable energy to the mainstream. Well Andy, a feature in USA Today on the success of your company and the effectiveness of the Skystream 3.7, may have accomplished that goal for you. It’s great to see more modern energy systems are being erected to meet our energy needs (and creating zero pollution in the process). Keep up the great work Southwest Windpower! Check out the article in the USA Today here.
New World Record For Efficiency For Solar Cells; Inexpensive To Manufacture
Scientists have improved the efficiency of an important type of solar cell from 21.9 to 23.2 percent (a relative improvement of 6 per cent). The efficiency improvement is achieved by the use of an ultra-thin aluminum oxide layer at the front of the cell, and it brings a breakthrough in the use of solar energy a step closer. The costs of applying the thin layer of aluminum oxide are expected to be relatively low.
Cardboard Bike to Lower Pedal-Powered Price Point
If you’ve been meaning to get out on a bike, but haven’t been willing or able to come up with the initial purchase price, a British design student may have just boxed up a solution to your problem with the unlikeliest of materials: cardboard. The bicycle’s green credentials are already outstanding, being the most efficient form of transportation yet created, and having a number of more-or-less planet-friendly permutations. But this cardboard bike, made from tough, water-resistant Hexacomb should bring the price point of a new ride down into anyone’s budget.
Whether the bike actually brings any increased sustainability to the table is questionable, though. It won’t last long, especially under heavy riders, and so will need to be recycled frequently. That takes energy, possibly more than is needed to create a durable steel frame that lasts decades. Plus, even if a steel frame fails, its useful life may not be over. |
