What possibly could a 200 year old discovery do for us in this technologically advanced era?Researchers at Oregon State University and Oxford University have rediscovered the usage of cystral structured materials called perovskites in solar powered cells.
Crux of the Matter
Why Do We Need Solar Cells? The Sun channeled by nuclear power can drive our Solar System for another five billion years and solar panels try to use this energy into an endless and free supply of electricity.
A house powered by a solar cell system, Source: VectorStock
It’s much commonplace now with solar cells being used in quartz watch, pocket calculator, rechargeable garden lights, phone chargers, backpacks, cooker, air-conditioner, chimney, traffic light, refrigerator amongst daily use products.
What Is The Discovery? The findings outlined by the two universities highlight the research of three papers that stemmed from a long-ago discovery of semiconductor material Perovskite, done by a Russian mineralogist Gustav Rose in the Ural Mountains,1839. Consisting of a crystal structure (CaTiO3), Perovskites are based on Calcium and Titanium.
Perovskite structure, Source: Wikipedia
They have a potential for producing photovoltaic (PV) cells that are cheaper to manufacture than the silicon-based cells being used since their inception in the 1950s and can share fossil fuels’ popularity in the energy sector. Moreover, a molecular additive, a salt-based on the organic compound piperidine, improves the longevity of perovskite solar cells.
How Do Solar Cells Work? A solar panel generates power with the help of PhotoVoltaic (PV) cells that capture sunlight and convert it into electrical energy. Solar cells are made of doped semiconductors like Silicon in a diode like p-n configuration. When sunlight shines on the cell, photons impart energy to the electrons of the semiconductor. If the electrons get sufficient energy, they can escape out of the cell into the circuit. This flow of electrons constitutes the electric current.
Source: Energy Sage
What Tests Do They Have To Pass? Solar cell efficiency is defined by the percentage of power coming from sunlight that hits a cell and is converted into usable electrical power. Seven decades ago, Bell Labs had developed the first one with an efficiency of 6%.
Govt working on mega plan to triple solar cell manufacturing capacity. An accelerated manufacturing plan is being put out that incentivises setting up of manufacturing capacity of 4000 MW that would allow developers to restrict import of cells completely.https://t.co/yBFNoAtRKR — Strategic Frontier (@strategic_front) July 9, 2020
Along with attaining this, Perovskite cells need to pass the IEC61215:2016 standard made by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in 2016. It covers all types of tests, including power rating, electrical safety, mechanical durability, illumination durability, moisture durability, and temperature durability.
From Solar Cells To Solar Sails Last year on July 23, the world’s first solar-sailing spacecraft was successfully launched in the orbit. Called LightSail 2, the spacecraft serves as an experiment that holds the power to change how vehicles propel themselves through space and can help spacecrafts achieve interstellar travel. Solar Sails work on the principle that light can exert mechanical force or “Radiation Pressure” – basically the sail is “pushed by light”.
Time to do a solar sail around the universe soon! Source: TPS
Curiopedia
Cochin International Airport became the world’s first fully solar-powered airport with the inauguration of a dedicated solar plant. For this entrepreneurial vision, the airport won the coveted Champion of the Earth award in 2018, the highest environmental honour instituted by the United Nations.
Swades is a 2004 Indian Hindi-language drama film written, produced and directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, based on the true life story of the NRI man who returned to India and developed a pedal power generator to light remote, off-the-grid village schools. The film was considered ahead of its time, and received widespread critical acclaim at its release.
Perovskite materials have been well known for many years, but the first incorporation into a solar cell was reported by Tsutomu Miyasaka in 2009. Miyasaka is a Japanese engineer in electrochemistry.
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