Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jun-Sik Cho, Yeong Hun Seo, Ahreum Lee, Sungeun Park, Kihwan Kim, Ara Cho, Seungkyu Ahn, Jinsu Yoo, Joo Hyung Park
Summary: Transparent photovoltaic tandem devices with controlled absorber thickness exhibited high power conversion efficiencies and improved performance under bifacial illumination. These devices maintained excellent PV performance even at low-light intensities.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Michael D. K. Jones, James A. Dawson, Stephen Campbell, Vincent Barrioz, Lucy D. Whalley, Yongtao Qu
Summary: Developing effective device architectures for energy technologies requires understanding the behavior at interfaces between multiple materials. Efficient charge transport across these interfaces is essential for high conversion efficiency in solar cells. Various methods, from composition-based approaches to continuum device models and atomistic models, can be used to simulate interfaces. However, the complex nature of heterojunction interfaces poses challenges for theory and simulation.
FRONTIERS IN CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Michel Piliougine, Paula Sanchez-Firera, Giovanni Petrone, Francisco Jose Sanchez-Pacheco, Giovanni Spagnuolo, Mariano Sidrach-de-Cardona
Summary: The performance of four thin-film photovoltaic modules is analyzed after an initial stabilization period and an outdoor exposition, and their seasonal variations and degradation rates are examined and correlated to spectral changes. The results show that the a-Si:H module has the highest annual degradation rate, while the degradation of the CIGS module is relatively low.
Article
Thermodynamics
Jia-Jiun Lai, Basil T. Wong, Jasman Y. H. Chai
Summary: A one-dimensional opto-electro-thermal simulator for an a-Si:H-based thin-film solar cell has been developed, incorporating optical, electrical, and thermal modeling for energy conversion analysis. The study shows that cell performance is typically overestimated when the thermal effect is ignored. Despite simplifications, the program accurately captures the essential behavior of the cell, proving useful for design and optimization of a-Si:H-based thin-film solar cells.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lei Ye, Jia Zheng, Cong Guo, Yu Hu, Jian Yu, Xiaodong Zhu, Tao Chen
Summary: This study demonstrates that high deposition pressure can significantly impact the material properties of sputtered SiC thin films, altering the chemical bonding, composition, and opto-electrical properties. It shows that an increase in deposition pressure leads to a higher oxygen content and a change in the carbon phase, potentially meeting the application requirements for optoelectronic devices.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Tiago G. Pestana, Rui M. R. Pinto, Rosana A. Dias, Virginia Chu, Joao Pedro Conde
Summary: This study presents novel weakly and moderately coupled MEMS bridge resonators with up to four degrees-of-freedom (DOF) on glass substrates. These resonators have thin-film hydrogenated amorphous silicon as structural layers and are fabricated using surface micromachining at temperatures below 175°C. The coupled resonators exhibit flexural fundamental resonance frequencies near 1 MHz and show distinct dynamic behaviors depending on the actuation (common or independent) of the array. The fabrication process is easily scalable to higher DOFs and large-area substrates, making it suitable for large-scale sensing applications.
JOURNAL OF MICROELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xingyu Pan, Yanlin Pan, Luyan Shen, Lijun Wang, Rui Wang, Guoen Weng, Jinchun Jiang, Xiaobo Hu, Shaoqiang Chen, Pingxiong Yang, Junhao Chu, Jiahua Tao
Summary: A new close spaced sublimated (CSS) CdS buffer layer is introduced to control the orientation growth of Sb-2(S,Se)(3) absorbers for high-performance solar cells, resulting in enhanced carrier transport and reduced adverse effects.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Michel Piliougine, Paula Sanchez-Friera, Giovanni Petrone, Francisco Jose Sanchez-Pacheco, Giovanni Spagnuolo, Mariano Sidrach-de-Cardona
Summary: This study analyzes the degradation of two amorphous silicon-based photovoltaic modules (single junction amorphous silicon and micromorph tandem) after 11 years of exposure in the south of Spain. The changes in electrical parameters were studied through outdoor measurements of their I-V curves during the initial days of exposure, the first year, and the subsequent 10-year period. The curves were translated to identical operating conditions using different correction procedures, including one that does not require module parameters.
PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
M. M. Timm, E. Oliviero, W. Sun, S. Gomes, G. Hamaoui, P. F. P. Fichtner, N. Frety
Summary: The microstructural changes induced by ion implantation have significant effects on the electrical and thermal properties of chromium disilicide (CrSi2). This study investigates the influence of different ion species and implantation conditions on the microstructure, electrical resistivity, and thermal conductivity of amorphous CrSi2 thin films.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Maria Isabel Pintor-Monroy, Martin Gregorio Reyes-Banda, Carlos Avila-Avendano, Manuel A. Quevedo-Lopez
Summary: In this study, a simple and cost-effective method for fabricating thin film transistors (TFTs) based on undoped amorphous Ga2O3 thin films deposited at room temperature by magnetron sputtering is discussed. The control of Ga2O3 thin film resistivity over a wide range is demonstrated by controlling the deposition power and pressure. These TFTs exhibit promising characteristics and have been evaluated as phototransistors under DUV radiation, showing high rejection ratio, responsivity, gain, detectivity, and photosensitivity.
IEEE SENSORS JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Optics
L. Fedorenko, A. Medvids, V Yukhymchuk, A. Evtukh, H. Mimura, O. Hreshchuk, L. Grase, S. Soroka
Summary: The possibility of laser-induced structural transformation of amorphous SiOx thin layers into SiOx-based nanocomposite layers with increased Si nanoparticles has been studied. The average sizes of silicon nanoparticles were found to depend on the laser intensity and wavelength, with an increase observed as the laser intensity increased. The correlation between the increase in nanoparticle size and the decrease in amorphous phase in the SiOx film has been established.
OPTICS AND LASER TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sangmo Kim, Van Quy Hoang, Chung Wung Bark
Summary: This paper provides an overview of the basic energy-conversion mechanism from light and various silicon-based manufacturing technologies for flexible solar cells. Various technologies (process, structure, and materials) are discussed for achieving high energy-conversion efficiency.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Sushil Kumar
Summary: Recycling waste PV modules, especially thin film, has become important due to the fast development of the PV market and scarcity of semiconductor resources. New strategies utilizing chemical, thermal, and mechanical treatments were developed to extract TCO coated glass from thin film amorphous silicon PV end-of-life modules. The extracted TCO, identified as fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO), showed excellent properties and potential for reuse in the fabrication of new thin film PV modules and other optoelectronic devices.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ming Wu, Zhizheng Jiang, Xiaojie Lou, Fan Zhang, Dongsheng Song, Shoucong Ning, Mengyao Guo, Stephen J. Pennycook, Ji-Yan Dai, Zheng Wen
Summary: This study presents a flexoelectric photodetector based on a thin-film heterostructure, demonstrating a giant strain gradient in LaFeO3 thin films grown on LaAlO3 substrates, leading to significant flexoelectric polarization and photovoltaic effect with nanosecond response time. This novel self-powered photodetector offers an alternative to traditional interface-type structures and opens up avenues for designing practical flexoelectric devices for nanoelectronics applications.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Surajit Dutta, Vivas Bagwe, Gorakhnath Chaurasiya, A. Thamizhavel, Rudheer Bapat, Pratap Raychaudhuri, Sangita Bose
Summary: This study presents the growth, characterization, and superconducting properties of a new amorphous superconductor, RexZr (x approaching 6), in thin films. It was found that films with thickness greater than 40 nm exhibited a superconducting transition temperature of 5.9 K, with marginal changes in superconducting properties as the film thickness decreased to 8 nm. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy and penetration depth measurements supported the evidence for a single-gap strong coupling s-wave superconductor.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fan Fu, Jia Li, Terry Chien-Jen Yang, Haoming Liang, Antonin Faes, Quentin Jeangros, Christophe Ballif, Yi Hou
Summary: This review focuses on the scientific and technological challenges of monolithic 2-terminal perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells, including factors limiting power conversion efficiency, pathways to achieve higher efficiency, and stability issues. Key areas of research to bring this technology from the lab to industrial production are highlighted.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Trumann Walker, Michael E. Stuckelberger, Tara Nietzold, Niranjana Mohan-Kumar, Christina Ossig, Maik Kahnt, Felix Wittwer, Barry Lai, Damien Salomon, Eric Colegrove, Mariana I. Bertoni
Summary: The study uses correlative X-ray microscopy to investigate the spatial distribution of copper in CdTe photovoltaic devices and its impact on charge collection. It reveals spatial segregation of copper around CdTe grain boundaries and the influence of copper incorporation on charge collection efficiency.
Article
Optics
Frank Seiboth, Adam Kubec, Andreas Schropp, Sven Niese, Peter Gawlitza, Jan Garrevoet, Vanessa Galbierz, Silvio Achilles, Svenja Patjens, Michael E. Stuckelberger, Christian David, Christian G. Schroer
Summary: In this study, we present a method to overcome manufacturing challenges in hard X-ray optics using a tailor-made refractive phase plate. With at-wavelength metrology and rapid prototyping, we demonstrate aberration correction for crossed multilayer Laue lenses, improving image quality significantly.
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Trumann Walker, Tara Nietzold, Niranjana Mohan Kumar, Barry Lai, Kevin Stone, Michael E. Stuckelberger, Mariana I. Bertoni
Summary: Micro- and nanoscale inhomogeneities have a significant impact on the performance of thin-film solar cell absorbers. A characterization stage has been developed to enable multi-scale, multi-modal operando measurements, facilitating the correlation between different material properties across length scales and measurement modalities.
REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS
(2022)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Prerana Chakrabarti, Anna Wildeis, Markus Hartmann, Robert Brandt, Ralph Doehrmann, Giovanni Fevola, Christina Ossig, Michael Elias Stuckelberger, Jan Garrevoet, Ken Vidar Falch, Vanessa Galbierz, Gerald Falkenberg, Peter Modregger
Summary: This article reports on a goniometer-based X-ray diffraction setup implemented at the P06 beamline of PETRA III, which enables micrometre spatial resolution with a photon energy of 35 keV and above. The setup achieves a highly focused beam using compound refractive lenses, and allows for high-precision sample manipulation using a goniometer. Experimental examples demonstrate the determination of micro-structural properties in highly absorbing samples.
JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Luca Antognini, Corentin Sthioul, Julie Dreon, Vincent Paratte, Deniz Tuerkay, Laurie-Lou Senaud, Christophe Ballif, Mathieu Boccard
Summary: In this study, the researchers performed experiments on the thickness and PH3 doping of nc-Si:H(n) layers to investigate their desirable characteristics along the growth direction. It was found that increasing the PH3 flow is necessary to improve the conductivity, but too high flows lead to amorphization of the layers. To overcome this, a thin a-Si:H(n) layer was integrated underneath the nc-Si:H(n) layer, and the impact of higher ITO doping and SiOx capping was also studied.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Andrew Fairbrother, Luca Gnocchi, Christophe Ballif, Alessandro Virtuani
Summary: Corrosion is a major degradation and failure mode in photovoltaic modules, but its progression is gradual. Researchers have developed an accelerated aging test to study the behavior of acetic acid corrosion and assist in screening new PV materials and component technologies.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lukas Schneider, Martina Kalt, Samuel Koch, Shanmugi Sithamparanathan, Veronika Villiger, Johann Mattiat, Flavia Kradolfer, Ekaterina Slyshkina, Sandra Luber, Mathias Bonmarin, Caroline Maake, Bernhard Spingler
Summary: This article reports six novel and easily accessible BODIPY-based agents for cancer treatment that exhibit both photodynamic and photothermal activities, and do not rely on the generation of reactive oxygen species for cytotoxicity. These agents demonstrate high photocytotoxicity and low dark toxicity in different cancer cell lines. Under hypoxic conditions, they exhibit oxygen-independent photothermal mechanisms, making them potential candidates for overcoming limitations in current cancer therapy.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Raphael Hagen, Daniel Fehr, Fabrizio Spano, Samuel Babity, Davide Brambilla, Mathias Bonmarin
Summary: Monitoring-based preventive medicine relies on portable and cost-effective measurement solutions. In this study, a handheld multiwavelength fluorescence measurement system is presented for detecting dermally injected fluorescent tracers. The system utilizes pulsed excitation and switched-input photocurrent measurement technique to accurately measure the light emission from the marker. The device has interchangeable modules for different fluorescent markers and has shown promising results for point-of-care applications in preventive medicine.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INSTRUMENTATION AND MEASUREMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Giulia Mirabello, Lukas Steinmetz, Christoph Geers, Barbara Rothen-Ruthishauser, Mathias Bonmarin, Alke Petri-Fink, Marco Lattuada
Summary: This work demonstrates the application of lock-in thermography (LIT) in quantifying the concentration of gold nanoparticles embedded in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films. The study used films with different concentrations and sizes of gold nanoparticles and quantitatively analyzed the concentration by measuring the amplitude of the thermal signal emitted by the nanoparticles. The results showed that LIT is a reliable and non-destructive method to quantify nanoparticle concentrations and can detect concentration gradients in samples.
NANOSCALE ADVANCES
(2023)
Proceedings Paper
Energy & Fuels
Luca Antognini, Laurie-Lou Senaud, Deniz Turkay, Lison Marthey, Julie Dreon, Bertrand Paviet-Salomon, Matthieu Despeisse, Mathieu Boccard, Christophe Ballif
Summary: In this study, accurate breakdown of series resistance (R-S) in a 2 cm x 2 cm screen-printed solar cell was performed using multiple approaches. Experimental observations differed from theoretical expectations, and the accuracy of different methods in predicting R-S and its trend varied. Practical differences between the methods were discussed and possible improvements were proposed.
11TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CRYSTALLINE SILICON PHOTOVOLTAICS (SILICONPV 2021)
(2022)
Proceedings Paper
Engineering, Biomedical
Raphael Hagen, Daniel Fehr, Fabrizio Spano, Davide Brambilla, Mathias Bonmarin
Summary: This study introduces a portable multi-wavelength fluorescence measurement system that utilizes cost-effective and high-sensitivity components to accurately monitor fluorescent signals. The system is suitable for different types of fluorescent dyes and has the sensitivity required for clinical applications.
2022 IEEE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON MEDICAL MEASUREMENTS AND APPLICATIONS (MEMEA 2022)
(2022)
Proceedings Paper
Energy & Fuels
Steve Askins, Cesar Dominguez, Gael Nardin, Mathieu Ackermann, Delphine Petri, Matthieu Despeisse, Jacques Levrat, Xavier Niquille, Christophe Ballif, Juan F. Martinez, Marc Steiner, Gerald Siefer, Ignacio Anton
Summary: Significant progress has been made on the Insolight solar panel within the EU-funded project HIPERION. The latest results for Genl solar panels show significant improvement in self-tracking performance even with a 5X increase in module area.
17TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CONCENTRATOR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS (CPV-17)
(2022)
Proceedings Paper
Instruments & Instrumentation
Logan M. Wilcox, Mathias Bonmarin, Kristen M. Donnell
Summary: This study introduces the pulsed thermography technique into active microwave thermography, demonstrating improved performance in moisture ingress detection with reduced overall temperature and increased signal-to-noise ratio, potentially applicable to aerospace and civil infrastructure sectors.
2022 IEEE INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTATION AND MEASUREMENT TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE (I2MTC 2022)
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Abdellatif Saadaldin, Azat M. Slyamov, Michael E. Stuckelberger, Peter S. Jorgensen, Christian Rein, Mariana Mar Lucas, Tiago Ramos, Angel Rodriguez-Fernandez, Dominique Bernard, Jens W. Andreasen
Summary: We conducted a multi-modal study to investigate the electrical, chemical and structural properties of a kesterite thin-film solar cell. By using spatially-resolved X-ray beam induced current and fluorescence imaging techniques, we evaluated a fully functional device on a cross-section. The obtained data allowed us to establish correlations between the chemical composition, defects at interfaces, and the inhomogeneous deposition of layers with the local charge-collection efficiency of the device. Our observations were further supported by Monte Carlo simulations of high-energy X-ray interactions with the semiconductor device and finite-volume modeling of the charge-collection efficiency.
FARADAY DISCUSSIONS
(2022)