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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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45 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Photo-accelerated oxidation of spiro-OMeTAD for efficient carbon-based perovskite solar cells

Metal halide perovskite thin film solar cell (PSC) technology demonstrates promising power conversion efficiency and paves the way to commercialization. So far, the best device performance originates from the n-i-p structure with FTO/SnO 2 /perovskite/Spiro-OMeTAD/Au device architecture. Traditionally, to achieve high efficiency, several hours of oxidization of a Li-doped Spiro-OMeTAD hole transport layer (HTL) is necessary, which hinders the application of Spiro-OMeTAD for rapid large-scale manufacturing. In particular, the oxidization process significantly relies on ambient conditions, including oxygen and moisture levels. In this work, we report a fast technique to accomplish rapid oxidation in several mins of Spiro-OMeTAD HTL in perovskite solar cells by illuminating in visible light with one Sunlight intensity (100 mW cm −2 ). Compared to the traditional approach, our photo-accelerated oxidization of Spiro-OMeTAD approach can deliver a high-power conversion efficiency. We employ this photo-accelerated oxidization for the planar carbon-based perovskite solar cell and achieve a champion device efficiency of 17.47%. This strategy overcomes the barriers for a simple and rapid means toward mass manufacturing and industrial applications by utilizing Spiro-OMeTAD as the HTL for the perovskite solar module.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Intermediate-phase engineering via dimethylammonium cation additive for stable perovskite solar cells

Achieving the long-term stability of perovskite solar cells is arguably the most important challenge required to enable widespread commercialization. Understanding the perovskite crystallization process and its direct impact on device stability is critical to achieving this goal. The commonly employed dimethyl-formamide/dimethyl-sulfoxide solvent preparation method results in a poor crystal quality and microstructure of the polycrystalline perovskite films. In this work, we introduce a high-temperature dimethyl-sulfoxide-free processing method that utilizes dimethylammonium chloride as an additive to control the perovskite intermediate precursor phases. By controlling the crystallization sequence, we tune the grain size, texturing, orientation (corner-up versus face-up) and crystallinity of the formamidinium (FA)/caesium (FA) y Cs 1-y Pb(I x Br 1-x )3 perovskite system. A population of encapsulated devices showed improved operational stability, with a median T80 lifetime (the time over which the device power conversion efficiency decreases to 80% of its initial value) for the steady-state power conversion efficiency of 1,190 hours, and a champion device showed a T80 of 1,410 hours, under simulated sunlight at 65 degrees C in air, under open-circuit conditions. In conclusion, this work highlights the importance of material quality in achieving the long-term operational stability of perovskite optoelectronic devices.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Estella Atekwana: Autobiographical Notes

I describe my career journey from a young girl in Cameroon, West Africa, to a trailblazing geophysicist to my current role as dean. I chronicle my time as a student, the transition to being an early career faculty, launching my research career, and ultimately finding my way to administration. Along the way I helped pioneer biogeophysics as a subdiscipline in geophysics while simultaneously maintaining an international research program in continental rift tectonics. I also describe the many intersectionalities in my life including being the first Black woman in many spaces, being a champion for student success, developing a diverse talent pipeline by enhancing diversity in the geosciences, and navigating academic job searches as part of a dual-career couple. Finally, I acknowledge all those who helped shape my career including the many students I had the opportunity to mentor. • Many underrepresented minority geoscientists lack the social capital and professional networks critical for their success. • Geoscience departments must be intentional and deliberate in promoting and ensuring more inclusive workplace environments. • Dual-career couples remain a major challenge, impacting retention and recruitment of top talent; universities should provide resources to alleviate this challenge. • Biogeophysics has untapped potential for advancing understanding of subsurface biogeochemical processes and the search for life in extreme environments. • To date, considerable speculation remains regarding the fundamental geodynamic processes that initiate and sustain the evolution of magma-deficient rifts.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Optimizing 2D passivation for enhancing performance of fully air-processed carbon electrode-based perovskite solar cells

Air-processed carbon-based perovskite solar cells (C-PSCs) offer scalable and cost-effective photovoltaic manufacturing but face efficiency loss compared to metal-contact perovskite solar cells. Surface passivation of three-dimensional (3D) perovskites with two-dimensional (2D) perovskite layers has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance device performance. However, the mechanisms by which 2D perovskites more effectively improve C-PSC efficiency and stability remain underexplored. This study investigates the efficacy of 2D/3D heterostructures using n-hexylammonium bromide (C6Br), phenethylammonium iodide (PEAI), and n-octylammonium iodide (OAI) as surface passivators for C-PSCs. C-PSCs treated with C 6 Br achieved a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 21.0%. This enhancement is attributed to superior defect passivation, improved charge extraction, and suppressed non-radiative recombination. Transient ion-drift characterization demonstrates that C 6 Br and OAI reduce ionic conductivity by 2–3 orders of magnitude, correlating with enhanced operational stability under continuous illumination. Our findings highlight the role of short-chain bromide cations (C 6 Br) in optimizing halide-mediated defect healing and interfacial band alignment, positioning 2D-passivated C-PSCs as viable competitors to conventional metal-contact perovskite solar cells.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Bypassing sulfides: comparing the morphology and performance of solution processed Cu(In,Ga)Se 2 films prepared via two selenide molecular precursor routes

Solution-processing of thin-film photovoltaics offers an alternative to vacuum-deposition based approaches. The amine–thiol reactive solvent system has become a focal point for the solution-processing of chalcogenide species, owing to the convenience of precursor preparation and comparatively high performance of prepared devices. Selenide species prepared via the amine–thiol route typically progress through a sulfide intermediate phase, and as such are commonly afflicted with sulfur and carbon impurities along- side the presence of a carbonaceous fine-grained layer. Here, two routes of preparing films directly to a selenide phase are examined; first by the co-dissolution of selenium in an amine–thiol solution and second via the novel use of reactive alkylammonium polyselenides. Lamella are cut from these selenide precursor films and final devices, and STEM-EDX and TEM are used to characterize film morphology and secondary phases. A champion device efficiency of 11.2% is reported for the novel polyselenide route, and clear paths of improvement are identified.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

The SPAN512 mid-latitude pulsar survey at the Nançay Radio Telescope

The large number of ongoing surveys for pulsars and transients at various radio observatories is motivated by the science obtained from these sources. Timing and polarisation analysis of relativistic binaries can place strong constraints on theories of gravity. The observation of a growing number of millisecond pulsars (MSPs) spread over the celestial sphere may allow the detection of a stochastic gravitational wave background arising from supermassive black hole binaries. A more complete sample of young pulsars improves our knowledge of neutron star birth and evolution. Transients such as fast radio bursts can serve to probe the intergalactic medium. The SPAN512 pulsar survey covers intermediate Galactic latitudes using the L-band receiver of the Nançay Radio Telescope (NRT). The survey covers 224 sq. deg. of the sky for a total exposure time of 2200 h. Population syntheses predict the discovery of 3 to 19 new normal pulsars and a few MSPs. We present detailed modelling of the NRT beam with its L-band receiver and its sensitivity which we used to precisely assess the expected survey yield. We used the flexible Pulsar Arecibo L-band Feed Array data processing pipeline to search the 47 TB of SPAN512 data for pulsars and transients. The SPAN512 survey discovered two new MSPs and one new middle-aged pulsar. We focus on the analysis of the 2.4-ms spin period pulsar J2205+6012 for which we also report the detection of gamma-ray pulsations. Its narrow pulse width (35µs at an observing frequency of 2.55 GHz) allows for sub-microsecond timing precision over 8 yr, with exciting prospects for pulsar timing array programs.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Optimizing Vertical Crystallization for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells by Buried Composite Layers

Planar-heterojunction perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have experienced rapid evolution in recent years because of the low-temperature processing, suitable alignment, and high mobility of the tin oxide buried contact layer. However, improper SnO 2 surface states and poor crystallinity of the top perovskite films are still the main obstacles for the planar PSCs in which performance always lags behind their mesoporous counterparts. Herein, a new buried contact is reported by introducing graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) into the commonly used SnO 2 which performs outstanding transmittance, conductivity, and surface states for a high-quality electron-transporting layer. Moreover, the vertical composition and crystallinity of the top perovskite film are manipulated by rich amino groups on the edge of the g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets which induce the prenucleation of the lead-rich species at the buried interface. Benefiting from the high-quality buried contacts and the optimized perovskite layers, the resultant PSCs achieve a champion efficiency of 21.5% with all photovoltaic parameters enhanced in comparison with their control counterparts (<20%).

planar-heterojunction perovskite solar cells↗
DOE OSTI2026

Tandem Photovoltaics Core Program Final Technical Report

The Tandem Photovoltaics Core Program was a multi-year initiative aimed at advancing hybrid tandem solar cell technologies to enhance solar module efficiency beyond the limits of single junction devices. This project focused on the development, testing, and scaling of prototype photovoltaic devices, with the goal of achieving commercial relevance and driving industry adoption. The work was divided into three tasks: 1) Comparative Analysis of Tandem Technologies: This task focused on quantifying energy yield under real-world conditions and assessing economic viability of tandems relative to silicon-based modules. The project's modeling framework incorporated performance data, cost of materials, and manufacturing process impacts to optimize tandem designs 2) Tandem Integration and Prototyping: In this task, we developed innovative tandem designs by combining metal halide perovskite (MHP) top cells and silicon (Si) bottom cells. The project focuses on both mechanical integration and direct deposition techniques to enable compatibility with commercially relevant Si technologies, such as passivated contact or PERC cells. 3) Scale-up and Reliability: This task addressed the challenges of large-area fabrication by developing scalable deposition methods and robust interconnection schemes for tandems. The project looked at different accelerated testing such as thermal cycling, damp heat exposure, and potential induced degradation, to ensure long-term stability of devices in field conditions. Tandem solar cells can greatly increase module efficiency beyond conventional single junction (SJ) devices, which are approaching their theoretical limit. There are many ways to fabricate a tandem cell or module in terms of materials used, configuration, and terminal connection. This SETO core project focused critical factors in enabling tandems to enter the market, including hardware integration, technoeconomic analysis (TEA), and energy yield analysis. We focused on MHP/Si hybrid tandem solar cells and modules as a model system for their versatility in module design comparisons, providing valuable insights for other tandem options. While champion cells with areas <1cm2 are regularly demonstrated by groups around the world, it is significantly more challenging to translate these advances into modules, and fewer institutions and companies are working at the module level. This project addressed questions about module fabrication, testing, and reliability that are hard to answer without actually fabricating prototypes. We also performed analysis and road-mapping activities to understand the potential for a wider variety of tandems, including all-perovskite tandems fabricated in collaboration with the Perovskite PV core program. Detailed technical results from this project are described for each task in Section 7.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

In-situ hydrogen microstructural characterization of Si heterojunction passivation: Addressing V OC degradation and mitigation pathways

Si heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells have demonstrated record efficiency >27%, approaching the theoretical limit of ≈ 29%, primarily due to best surface/interface defect passivation provided by deposited thin layers of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H). Such excellent surface/interface passivation reduces recombination loss and result in >100 mV improvement of cell open circuit voltage (V OC ) to ≈ 750 mV, thus the cell efficiency. However, fielded SHJ modules exhibit loss of V OC and hence efficiency over time in years, presumably due to degradation related to a-Si:H layers. This adversely affects the technology’s market acceptance, and levelized cost of energy (LCOE). It is hypothesized that the origin of a-Si:H degradation is somehow related to the presence of weak Si–Si bonds and hydrogen in a-Si:H films. The objective of this project is to test this hypothesis by directly measuring chemical and structural changes occurring within SHJ component layers and solar cells. This is achieved by developing an innovative in-situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry apparatus to monitor hydrogen microstructural changes occurring within amorphous silicon and decipher hydrogen evolution kinetics over time when samples are exposed to heat and/or light stress. These in-situ measured hydrogen microstructural changes are correlated to the changes in effective minority carrier lifetime (τ eff ), implied V OC (iV OC ), surface recombination velocity (S), and cell V OC . These mechanistic understandings will provide critical guidance to mitigate the V OC -driven degradation of SHJ solar cell performance. Passivation optimization and degradation analysis of individual SHJ component structures were achieved through systematic deposition of three symmetric structures and the completed SHJ solar cell structure. The three symmetric structures used were intrinsic a-Si:H [(i)a-Si:H] layers in a bilayer structure, intrinsic and p-type doped stacked layers [(i-p)a-Si:H] representing the front heterojunction in the SHJ cell, and intrinsic and n-typed doped stacked layers [(i-n)a-Si:H] representing the back-side back surface field (BSF) in the SHJ cell. State-of-the-art passivation qualities are demonstrated by a champion iV OC of 740 mV for the (i)a-Si:H layers, and the (i-n)a-Si:H symmetric structure. A 725 mV iV OC is observed for the (i-p)a-Si:H symmetric structure. These symmetric passivated SHJ component structures were subsequently subjected to different accelerated lifetime (ALT) stressors to identify which conditions contribute the most to iV OC degradation. Degradation of the thin (10 nm) (i)a-Si:H passivation layers without any additional overlying layers is minimal; complexity of this study arises due to unavoidable surface oxidation of (i)a-Si:H layer during most of the stress application, which is likely irrelevant for a full SHJ cell configuration with overlying protective layers. The iV OC degradation of symmetric structures is found to occur primarily at the (i-p)a-Si:H passivation stack under dark heat stress with associated hydrogen loss from the (p)a-Si:H layer. An activation energy for increase in S (defect creation) of 0.65 eV can be correlated to the activation energy of ≈ 0.4 eV for hydrogen loss from the (i-p)a-Si:H stack. This also suggests the presence of weakly bonded hydrogen in the (p)a-Si:H films, which effuses out of the film stack at such low activation energy. When light and heat stress are applied together, similar hydrogen loss from (i-p)a-Si:H stack is observed, however, does not appreciably degrade iV OC or increase S. This is an important result and departure from direct correlation between hydrogen loss and defect creation. This perhaps indicates additional defect chemistries or annealing that might be occurring in the presence of light requiring further detailed defect measurements. The full SHJ cell structure used for this project is depicted in Fig.1(d). SHJ cells with an initial V OC ≈ 700 mV were fabricated and subjected to similar ALT stress conditions. Cell V OC is found to degrade the most under dark heat stress and is confirmed by observed hydrogen migration out of the (i-p)a-Si:H stack. However, hydrogen cannot escape from the cell stack, it accumulates near the (p)a-Si:H/ITO contact interface, where ITO acts as a barrier preventing hydrogen loss. Furthermore, light-heat combined stress does not degrade V OC appreciably, confirming the occurrence of a defect annealing process.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗