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Scientists invent new solar cells made out of non-toxic abundant materials

 
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 70823438
Australia
04/22/2016 05:37 PM
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Scientists invent new solar cells made out of non-toxic abundant materials
The sci-fi vision of solar cells coating surfaces from buildings to vehicles has been brought closer to reality after scientists at the University of NSW achieved new levels of electricity generation using non-toxic and abundant materials.

A team led by Hao Xiaojing, a senior lecturer at the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics, has produced thin-film solar cells made of copper, zinc, tin and sulphur (CZTS) that are able to convert light to electricity at a rate of 7.6 per cent in one-square centimetre cells.

"This is the first step on CZTS's road to beyond 20 per cent efficiency, and marks a milestone in its journey from the lab to commercial product," Dr Hao said of her three-year project.

Standard rooftop solar panels using silicon now have a 15 to 16 per cent efficiency, while the best lab results reach 25.6 per cent.

"You can put them on car bodies, on steel, on tiles, polymers, or even silicon," Dr Hao said, noting their potential to become so-called building-integrated photovoltaics.

[link to www.smh.com.au]
grumpier

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04/22/2016 05:52 PM
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Re: Scientists invent new solar cells made out of non-toxic abundant materials
Potentially good news.

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Anonymous Coward
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04/22/2016 05:55 PM
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Re: Scientists invent new solar cells made out of non-toxic abundant materials
Did the elites murder him yet?
hempster

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United States
04/22/2016 06:00 PM
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Re: Scientists invent new solar cells made out of non-toxic abundant materials
Not good for silver !
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Anonymous Coward (OP)
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Australia
04/22/2016 06:04 PM
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Re: Scientists invent new solar cells made out of non-toxic abundant materials
If they can get the efficiency higher than silicon PV cells, and if they are cheaper than silicon, this technology could take over in coming decades.

The way it can be applied as a coating to other things means there could be a lot more solar electricity available in the future, for cheap.
Anonymous Coward
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United Kingdom
04/22/2016 06:07 PM
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Re: Scientists invent new solar cells made out of non-toxic abundant materials
New ultra-thin, patterned graphene sheets will be essential in designing future technologies such as 'smart wallpaper' and internet-of-things applications
Advanced Technology Institute uses moth-inspired ultrathin graphene sheets to capture light for use in energy production and to power smart sensors
Graphene is traditionally an excellent electronic material, but is inefficient for optical applications, absorbs only 2.3% of the light incident on it. A new technique enhances light absorption by 90%.


Read more at: [link to phys.org]
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 71581191
United Kingdom
04/22/2016 06:08 PM
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Re: Scientists invent new solar cells made out of non-toxic abundant materials
New ultra-thin, patterned graphene sheets will be essential in designing future technologies such as 'smart wallpaper' and internet-of-things applications
Advanced Technology Institute uses moth-inspired ultrathin graphene sheets to capture light for use in energy production and to power smart sensors
Graphene is traditionally an excellent electronic material, but is inefficient for optical applications, absorbs only 2.3% of the light incident on it. A new technique enhances light absorption by 90%.


Read more at: [link to phys.org]

 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 71581191


the team used the nano-patterning to localise light into the narrow spaces between the textured surface, enhancing the amount of light absorbed by the material by about 90%.





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