Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wenbo Lu, Zongbao Li, Mingjie Feng, Hui-Juan Yan, Bin Yan, Liyan Hu, Xing Zhang, Shunchang Liu, Jin-Song Hu, Ding-Jiang Xue
Summary: Elemental selenium has regained attention as a potential photovoltaic material due to its wide bandgap, non-toxic composition, and environmental stability. By modifying its wettability and understanding its air stability mechanism, researchers have successfully fabricated efficient selenium solar cells.
SCIENCE CHINA-CHEMISTRY
(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)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Purevlkham Myagmarsereejid, Malaika Ingram, Munkhbayar Batmunkh, Yu Lin Zhong
Summary: Sb2S3 as a solar absorber material has attracted great interest due to its excellent photovoltaic properties, and efforts have been made to enhance the efficiency of Sb2S3 solar cells using approaches like interfacial, surface, and band-gap engineering, as well as doping strategies. Doping strategies show promise in controlling band gap, film morphology, and grain boundary passivation, leading to improved carrier transport, addressing one of the most challenging issues in this field.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Packiyaraj Perumal, Rajesh Kumar Ulaganathan, Raman Sankar, Ling Zhu
Summary: The study demonstrates the first vertically stacked few-layered p-type GaSe and n-type SnS2 vdW heterostructure for high-performance optoelectronic applications, showing superior performance with responsivity, EQE and specific detectivity that exceed values derived from 2D materials. Additionally, the heterostructures can serve as photovoltaic cells with high power conversion efficiency, and can be deposited on flexible PET substrates. The high performance is attributed to the unique type II band alignment and excellent quality of the interface, providing a new illustration for the stacking of 2D materials for the development of next-generation novel optoelectronic devices.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Brajendra S. Sengar, Vivek Garg, Amitesh Kumar, Praveen Dwivedi
Summary: Perovskite-based planar homojunction solar cells show higher efficiency and performance advantages, reducing recombination losses through the built-in electric field. Simulation analysis reveals that device performance depends on the thickness and defects of the perovskite layer, with interface defects influencing performance. By designing homojunction devices with perovskite, higher efficiencies have been achieved.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRON DEVICES
(2021)
Article
Thermodynamics
A. Azimi, N. Basiri, M. Eslami
Summary: This paper presents a novel optimization algorithm for improving the water-film cooling system of photovoltaic panels, resulting in a significant increase in net energy generation.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yaohui Li, Xiang Wu, Guangzheng Zuo, Yufei Wang, Xianjie Liu, Yanxian Ma, Bolun Li, Xu-Hui Zhu, Hongbin Wu, Jian Qing, Lintao Hou, Wanzhu Cai
Summary: Selective electron transport and extraction are crucial for photovoltaic devices. This study presents an electron transport layer (ETL) configuration composed of a solution-processed n-n organic heterojunction to enhance electron transport and boost power conversion efficiency (PCE) in organic photovoltaics (OPV). The n-n heterojunction consists of a narrow-band n-type conjugated polymer layer (PNDIT-F3N) and a wide-band n-type conjugated molecule layer (Phen-NaDPO). The performance improvement in OPVs with different active layers is attributed to selective carrier transport properties, reduced recombination, and good film-forming quality of the ETL configuration.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Mohaiyadeen Aliyar Farhana, Arumukham Manjceevan, Jayasundera Bandara
Summary: Although many environmentally friendly and non-toxic materials have been investigated for photovoltaic conversion (PVC) applications, Sb2S3 is the preferred material due to its optical response and electrical properties. However, its efficiency is lower than predicted, and this review aims to understand and improve current device performance by studying structural and morphological changes in Sb2S3 thin films. The research discusses the fundamental properties of Sb2S3 and how fabrication techniques and conditions affect solar cell performance.
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE-ADVANCED MATERIALS AND DEVICES
(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
Energy & Fuels
Rupendra Kumar Sharma, Mathieu Boccard, Jakub Holovsky
Summary: Heterojunction carrier selective contacts play a crucial role in the efficiency and performance of solar cells. By studying the requirements for these contacts under different illumination levels, a new metric called contact strength has been defined to describe their ability. Key parameters such as doping, contact layer thickness, and electrode work-function have been identified as important factors in determining contact strength.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Shahaboddin Resalati, Tobechi Okoroafor, Amani Maalouf, Edgardo Saucedo, Marcel Placidi
Summary: Thin-film photovoltaics, particularly chalcogenide solar cells, have potential in the field of PV technology, but further research is needed on issues such as raw materials scarcity, toxicity, and environmental impacts.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Seyed Mojtaba Sadati Faramarzi, Bin Luo, Jef Poortmans, Jan Genoe, Kris Myny
Summary: Accurate efficiency prediction, improved reliability, and extended lifetime of solar modules are key factors driving investment and research in photovoltaic (PV) systems. Incorporating data from localized monitoring of solar modules enhances performance and improves modeling. This study combines flexible thin-film transistor (TFT) interface circuits with distributed temperature sensors integrated into solar cell lamination to enable in-module within-cell PV monitoring. A TFT multiplexer selects sensors and is controlled via a serial peripheral interface (SPI) to reduce IO connections, while a low offset unity-gain TFT buffer ensures precise signal transfer. The in-cell sensors, along with the TFT read-out circuitry, demonstrate accurate outdoor temperature monitoring comparable to silicon integrated circuits.
IEEE JOURNAL OF SOLID-STATE CIRCUITS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Bin Kan, Faheem Ershad, Zhoulyu Rao, Cunjiang Yu
Summary: Organic solar cells (OSCs) have made significant progress in efficiency and cost through the evolution of organic photovoltaic materials and device engineering. Their emerging and potential usages in critical applications such as biomedical fields are on the rise.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Sergio Giraldo, Robert Fonoll-Rubio, Zacharie Jehl Li-Kao, Yudania Sanchez, Lorenzo Calvo-Barrio, Victor Izquierdo-Roca, Alejandro Perez-Rodriguez, Edgardo Saucedo
Summary: Kesterite Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)(4) thin film technology is a promising low-cost solution in the field of photovoltaics, but efficiency improvement remains a challenge. This study introduces an innovative approach using ultrathin CuGa layers at the rear interface to enhance kesterite crystallinity and shows significant enhancement in photovoltaic performance.
PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Kazuki Ueda, Sang-Hyo Kweon, Hirotaka Hida, Yoshiharu Mukouyama, Isaku Kanno
Summary: Transparent piezoelectric microdevices were realized by depositing Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT) thin films on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO)-coated glass substrates using radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering and sol-gel methods. The transparent PZT thin films exhibited polycrystalline perovskite structure with good piezoelectric properties, showing a clear converse piezoelectric effect with a coefficient ranging between 2.8 and 5.0 C/m2.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Carlo Venettacci, Andrea De Iacovo, Carlo Giansante, Lorenzo Colace
Summary: This light analysis system utilizes narrowband colloidal PbS quantum dot photodetectors to accurately identify the peak wavelength of quasi-monochromatic radiation and emission spectrum of arbitrary light sources. By optimizing system parameters, the system achieves a mean error of 5 nm and a maximum resolution of 40 nm for peak wavelength identification and spectral reconstruction.
PHOTONICS AND NANOSTRUCTURES-FUNDAMENTALS AND APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Andrea De Iacovo, Federica Mitri, Andrea Ballabio, Jacopo Frigerio, Giovanni Isella, Andrea Ria, Mattia Cicalini, Paolo Bruschi, Lorenzo Colace
Summary: This paper demonstrates the operation of a Ge-on-Si multipixel array and verifies its imaging capabilities through an experiment. The research findings are of great significance for the development of integrated imaging systems.
IEEE SENSORS JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ahmed E. Salih, Mohamed Elsherif, Fahad Alam, Matteo Chiesa, Haider Butt
Summary: In this study, gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were functionalized with 3-mercaptopropionic acid (GNPs-MPA) and doped into hydrogel materials using the breathing-in/breathing-out (BI-BO) method. The pH-responsive optical and colorimetric properties of the GNPs-MPA solutions and gels were investigated through UV-Vis spectroscopy and microscopy. The results showed that the color of the solutions and gels changed from red to indigo with a decrease in pH, indicating their potential as pH-triggered sensors.
Article
Physics, Applied
Tuza Olukan, Jekaterina Sydorenko, Atanas Katerski, Mariam Al Mahri, Chia-Yun Lai, Abdulrahman Al-Hagri, Sergio Santos, Matteo Chiesa
Summary: The synthesis of TiO2 thin films using chemical spray pyrolysis method with different ratios of titanium isopropoxide (TTIP) to acetylacetone (AcacH) has demonstrated the highest photodegradation at a ratio of 1:8. These films show promise in indoor pollution treatment. The incorporation of carbon into the surface and TiO2 lattice may contribute to the observed performance, but the mechanism is still unclear. Here, the correlation between contact potential difference (CPD) contrast maps and functionality dependence on the TTIP to AcacH ratio is reported, suggesting a faster transfer of charge carriers to the surface.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Mohammed Bin Afif, Abdulla Bin Afif, Harry Apostoleris, Krishiv Gandhi, Anup Dadlani, Amal Al Ghaferi, Jan Torgersen, Matteo Chiesa
Summary: The rapidly declining costs of renewable energy technologies have made solar and wind the cheapest sources of energy in many parts of the world. This not only enables the rapid decarbonization of the electricity sector but also reduces the costs of energy-intensive decarbonization efforts in other areas.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
M. Bertoncello, A. Caria, M. Buffolo, C. De Santi, S. Rampino, F. Pattini, G. Spaggiari, N. Trivellin, D. Vogrig, E. Zanoni, G. Meneghesso, M. Meneghini
Summary: The main objective of this paper is to compare the stability over time of two different types of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells, and to monitor and explain their performance differences through a forward pulse current stress test.
MICROELECTRONICS RELIABILITY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Srinivasa Reddy Tamalampudi, Ghada Dushaq, Nitul S. Rajput, Matteo Chiesa, Mahmoud S. Rasras
Summary: In this study, 50 nm thick amorphous indium telluride films were fabricated using RF sputtering technique on a silicon substrate. These films were then used to create back-gated field-effect photodetectors. The detectors exhibited a broad wavelength response, high photo responsivity, and good frequency response. They also showed excellent stability under ambient conditions.
IEEE ELECTRON DEVICE LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giulia Spaggiari, Danilo Bersani, Davide Calestani, Edmondo Gilioli, Enos Gombia, Francesco Mezzadri, Michele Casappa, Francesco Pattini, Giovanna Trevisi, Stefano Rampino
Summary: Copper-doped antimony selenide thin films were deposited using low-temperature pulsed electron deposition technique, resulting in improved open circuit voltage and carrier density in photovoltaic solar cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fabio Orlandi, Davide Delmonte, Gianluca Calestani, Enrico Cavalli, Edmondo Gilioli, Vladimir V. Shvartsman, Patrizio Graziosi, Stefano Rampino, Giulia Spaggiari, Chao Liu, Wei Ren, Silvia Picozzi, Massimo Solzi, Michele Casappa, Francesco Mezzadri
Summary: This study reports a previously unrecognized room temperature multiferroic material, BaFe2O4. Experimental results demonstrate its polar crystal structure and antiferromagnetic behavior, and the polarization is switchable as observed through piezo force microscopy and electrical measurements. The findings are of great significance for the discovery and application of new multiferroic materials.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Fengyuan Liu, Petter Holme, Matteo Chiesa, Bedoor AlShebli, Talal Rahwan
Summary: Using algorithmic tools, researchers found pervasive gender inequalities among academic editors, with only 8% of editors-in-chief being women. Men editors were more likely to self-publish in the journal they edit. Career length explains the gender gap among editors, but not editors-in-chief.
NATURE HUMAN BEHAVIOUR
(2023)
Article
Physics, Applied
Sergio Santos, Karim Gadelrab, Tuza Olukan, Josep Font, Victor Barcons, Matteo Chiesa
Summary: Quantifying conservative forces in multifrequency atomic force microscopy involves solving the general equations expressed in terms of interaction energies. Power law expressions are commonly used for electrostatic, ferroelectric, magnetic, or long range forces. This study discusses long range forces modeled using power laws with exponent values ranging from 2-5, and applies multifrequency theory to explore the relevant parameter space. Numerical integration of motion equations shows a narrow range of operational parameters for valid approximations during imaging, with errors as low as 10% for all explored exponents.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sergio Santos, Karim Gadelrab, Lamiaa Elsherbiny, Xaver Drexler, Tuza Olukan, Josep Font, Victor Barcons, Matteo Chiesa
Summary: The multifrequency formalism is generalized and exploited in bimodal and trimodal atomic force microscopy (AFM) to quantify van der Waals interactions with small forces. The use of higher modes in the multifrequency force spectroscopy formalism, including trimodal AFM, improves material property quantification compared to bimodal AFM. Bimodal AFM with the second mode is valid when the drive amplitude of the first mode is significantly larger. The present approach allows for robust quantification of weak long range forces and extends the available channels for high resolution.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Fabio Corti, Antonino Laudani, Gabriele Maria Lozito, Martina Palermo, Michele Quercio, Francesco Pattini, Stefano Rampino
Summary: This work presents a dynamic analysis of the charge and discharge process of a supercapacitor in the DC-link between a photovoltaic source and a constant power load. The analysis results in a complete nonlinear and dynamic model that can be used for simulation and control of DC-DC converters. The proposed approach includes parasitic elements and efficiency effects, providing equations for design and control. The analytical model is validated through comparison with LTSpice simulation, showing good agreement between theory and simulation.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Marco Ruggieri, Elisabetta Colantoni, Eleonora Marconi, Andrea Fabbri, Paolo Branchini, Lorenzo Colace, Luca Tortora, Andrea De Iacovo
Summary: Lead sulfide quantum dots (PbS QDs) have been widely used in the fabrication of visible and infrared photodetectors. This study proposes PbS QDs as a sensing material for X-ray detection and successfully synthesizes high-performance PbS QD thin films. The results show that these films exhibit high sensitivity and good detection limits, suggesting potential applications in imaging and future development of low-power, high-sensitivity wearable sensors.
ACS APPLIED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2023)
Proceedings Paper
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Odin Foldvik Eikeland, Filippo Maria Bianchi, Inga Setsa Holmstrand, Sigurd Bakkejord, Matteo Chiesa
Summary: In this study, we focused on a power grid in the Arctic region of Northern Norway to detect power disturbances and identify significant variables using machine learning techniques. The results showed that linear models achieved the highest performance in fault detection, with flicker amount and gust wind speed being identified as important factors in explaining the disturbances.
INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS
(2022)
