News tagged with solar cell material

Building a better solar panel -- one molecule at a time

(Phys.org) -- One of the fundamental building blocks in modern chemistry, an organometallic chemical compound called ferrocene, has never been structurally defined - until now.

Chemistry / Materials Science

created May 25, 2012 | popularity 4.8 / 5 (4) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Emerging theoretical framework may guide researchers through the complex world of multiblock polymers

(Phys.org) -- Thanks to advances in polymer chemistry and a wide variety of monomer constituents to choose from, the world of multiblock polymers is wide open. These polymers can result in an astonishing array ...

Chemistry / Polymers

created Apr 26, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (4) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

X-rays reveal molecular arrangements for better printable electronics

By employing powerful X-rays that can see down to the molecular level of organic materials used in printable electronics, researchers are now able to determine why some materials perform better than others. ...

Physics / Condensed Matter

created Apr 25, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Scientists discover bilayer structure in efficient solar material

Detailed studies of one of the best-performing organic photovoltaic materials reveal an unusual bilayer lamellar structure that may help explain the material's superior performance at converting sunlight to electricity and ...

Chemistry / Materials Science

created Apr 24, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (6) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Graphene boosts efficiency of next-gen solar cells

(Phys.org) -- The coolest new nanomaterial of the 21st century could boost the efficiency of the next generation of solar panels, a team of Michigan Technological University materials scientists has discovered.

Nanotechnology / Nanomaterials

created Apr 24, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 4 | with audio podcast

Nanotube electrodes improve solar cells, could yield low-cost, efficient alternative

Forests of carbon nanotubes are an efficient alternative for platinum electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC), according to new research by collaborators at Rice University and Tsinghua University.

Nanotechnology / Nanomaterials

created Apr 17, 2012 | popularity 4.3 / 5 (6) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Polarized X-ray scattering technique reveals structure of printable electronics

(Phys.org) -- An innovative X-ray technique has given North Carolina State University researchers and their collaborators new insight into how organic polymers can be used in printable electronics such as transistors and ...

Physics / General Physics

created Apr 15, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (4) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Low-temperature method 'grows' transparent zinc oxide films for use in displays, solar cells

The displays on flat-screen TVs and smartphones, as well as the panels on solar cells, all require materials that not only conduct electricity but are also highly transparent to visible light. One transparent ...

Chemistry / Materials Science

created Apr 12, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 1

Scientists investigate mystery of telephone cord buckles

(PhysOrg.com) -- Ranging in thickness from a few nanometers to several micrometers, thin films and coatings play a role in a wide variety of applications. The reflective metal layer on a mirror, the coatings ...

Physics / General Physics

created Mar 27, 2012 | popularity 3.8 / 5 (4) | comments 4 | with audio podcast feature

Development of new-generation solar cells

(PhysOrg.com) -- Researchers from The University of Queensland (UQ) and Korea have combined their expertise in polymer patterning and materials science in a bid to develop new-generation solar cells.

Nanotechnology / Nanomaterials

created Mar 07, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Scientists use LCLS to see photovoltaic process in action

(PhysOrg.com) -- A surprising atomic-scale wiggle underlies the way a special class of materials reacts to light, according to research that may lead to new devices for harvesting solar energy.

Physics / General Physics

created Feb 29, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 1 | with audio podcast

ORNL finding has materials scientists entering new territory

Solar cells, light emitting diodes, displays and other electronic devices could get a bump in performance because of a discovery at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory that establishes new boundaries ...

Chemistry / Materials Science

created Feb 21, 2012 | popularity 4.8 / 5 (8) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Shear stiffness and friction mechanics of single-layer graphene measured for the first time

Researchers from the University of Bristol have measured and identified for the first time the stress and strain shear modulus and internal friction of graphene sheets. Graphene is a material that has many ...

Nanotechnology / Nanomaterials

created Feb 14, 2012 | popularity 4.7 / 5 (3) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Tandem polymer solar cells that set record for energy-conversion

(PhysOrg.com) -- In the effort to convert sunlight into electricity, photovoltaic solar cells that use conductive organic polymers for light absorption and conversion have shown great potential. Organic polymers ...

Physics / Optics & Photonics

created Feb 13, 2012 | popularity 4.6 / 5 (12) | comments 7 | with audio podcast

Harnessing plasmonics, engineers weld nanowires with light

At the nano level, researchers at Stanford have discovered a new way to weld together meshes of tiny wires. Their work could lead to exciting new electronics and solar applications. To succeed, they called ...

Nanotechnology / Nanophysics

created Feb 06, 2012 | popularity 4.8 / 5 (11) | comments 1 | with audio podcast