Solar Energy Harvesting Research Articles

An in‐depth comparative analysis of entropy generation and heat transfer in micropolar‐Williamson, micropolar‐Maxwell, and micropolar‐Casson binary nanofluids within PTSCs

AbstractSolar energy holds promise as a sustainable and environmentally friendly source of power. In this study, we focus on improving the thermal efficiency of parabolic trough solar collectors (PTSCs) by investigating the performance of three different binary micropolar nanofluids – micropolar‐Casson, micropolar‐Maxwell, and micropolar‐Williamson – when used as heat transfer fluids within these collectors, with engine oil as the base fluid. The problem studied revolves around enhancing the heat transfer characteristics within PTSCs, crucial for maximizing energy conversion efficiency in solar power generation. By exploring the behavior of these nanofluids under various flow conditions, we aim to optimize the design and operation of PTSC systems for improved performance and sustainability. The importance of this research lies in its potential to significantly enhance the efficiency of solar energy harvesting, thereby contributing to the transition toward cleaner energy sources and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Additionally, the findings have implications for diverse applications, including solar aviation, solar‐powered maritime vessels, solar thermal power plants, industrial process heating, and solar‐driven water pumping mechanisms, where improved heat transfer efficiency is paramount for enhancing overall system performance and reducing operational costs. Furthermore, the investigation delves into the influence of various factors governing the flow of these binary micropolar nanofluids within PTSC setups, including aspects such as velocity, thermal characteristics, entropy generation, skin friction, drag force, and local Nusselt number. The results notably reveal substantial enhancements in thermal efficiency, with maximal relative enhancements quantified as 22.1768%, 19.3662%, and 17.7349% for micropolar‐Casson, micropolar‐Maxwell, and micropolar‐Williamson nanofluids, respectively.

Photothermal ZrN composite membranes for solar-driven water distillation

Many regions around the world, including the Arabian Peninsula, face a scarcity of freshwater resources and depend heavily on non-renewable energy sources for energy-intensive desalination processes, emphasizing the need for sustainable water treatment methods. To tackle this challenge, solar energy-driven membrane distillation is a promising and compatible solution for desalinating seawater. In this work, a solar-powered photothermal air gap membrane distillation (AGMD) system has been tested to treat brine by utilizing plasmonic-based composite membranes. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes were prepared by incorporating low-cost zirconium nitride (ZrN) nanoparticles at varying concentrations to facilitate solar energy harvesting. ZrN-modified PVDF composite membranes significantly boost the solar absorption up to 75 % in the wavelength range of 250–800 nm, when compared to pristine PVDF membranes. The composite membranes with 56 % enhancement in porosity resulted in a permeate flux of 0.36 L m−2 h−1 and a rejection rate of ∼99 %. The developed photothermal water treatment system provides a highly effective and scalable solution for water treatment. Moreover, next-generation materials exhibiting photothermal effects have the potential to exploit solar renewable energy for decentralized off-grid desalination by converting sunlight into heat for a unique and favourable water-energy nexus.

Lignin-Stabilized Tough, Sticky, and Recyclable Liquid Metal/Protein Organogels for Multifunctional Epidermal Smart Materials.

Biomass-encapsulated liquid metals (LMs) composite gels have aroused tremendous attention as epidermal smart materials due to their biocompatibility and sustainability. However, they can still not simultaneously possess toughness, adhesion, and recoverability. In this work, the tough, sticky, and recyclable protein-encapsulated LMs organogels (GLMx) are fabricated through the micro-interfacial stabilization of LMs by lignin and the following preparation of food-making inspired gels. With the help of lignin modification, the LMs micro-drops demonstrated uniform dispersion in the protein matrix, as well as dense non-covalent interactions (e.g., H─bond and hydrophobic interaction) with amino acid residues in peptide chains, which endowed the GLMx with high conductivity (≈5.4Sm-1), toughness (≈738.2kJm-3), self-adhesiveness (a maximal lap-shear strength of ≈58.3kPa), and recoverability. By tightly adhering onto human skin, the GLMx can act as epidermal sensors to detect drastic (e.g., joint bending) and subtle body movements (e.g., swallowing) and even recognize handwriting and speaking in real-time. Moreover, the organogels can also harvest solar energy and convert it into heat and electricity, which is promising in self-powered intelligent devices. Thus, this work paves a facile way to prepare protein/LMs composite organogels that are suitable for multiple applications like healthcare, human-robot interactions, and solar energy conversion.

Phase engineered enhancement of photocatalytic and Opto-magnetic properties of CuO nanoparticles through fluorine and gadolinium doping

The present study comprises co-doping of CuO nanoparticles with gadolinium (Gd) and fluorine (F) using the sol-gel method to achieve phase stabilization and tune their physicochemical properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses revealed successful incorporation of the dopants and the stabilization of the CuO phase with increasing Gd content. Morphological studies revealed grain refinement and an enhanced surface-to-volume ratio upon co-doping. Average particle size decreased from 194 nm to 138 nm for pure and 5%F to 126 nm, 101 nm, and 81 nm for, 1mol%, 2mol% and 3mol% Gd along with 5mol% F co-doped CuO nanoparticles. Increasing the Gd ratio also tuned the band structure and significantly improved the optical properties of the CuO nanoparticles. Additionally, a transition from weak ferromagnetic ordering to paramagnetic behavior is observed. Coercivity decreased to 2.5 Oe for Cu0.97Gd0.03F0.05O0.95 as opposed to 396.3 Oe for CuF0.05O0.95. Photocatalytic activity studies using rhodamine B (Rh B) as a model probe revealed a pronounced enhancement in degradation kinetics with increasing gadolinium (Gd) doping, culminating in around 2.9 times faster degradation rate for 3 % Gd-doped CuO nanoparticles compared to pure CuO nanoparticles. After 3 h of UV light irradiation, the photodegradation efficiency of Cu0.97Gd0.03F0.05O0.95 was 94 %, which is significantly higher than the 80 % and 69 % efficiency of CuF0.05O0.95 and CuO, respectively. These remarkable optical, magnetic, and photocatalytic properties of the co-doped nanoparticles offer promising candidacy for various applications, including photocatalysis, solar energy harvesting, magnetic switching, and magnetic sensing.

Enhancing red-light emission of CsPb(Br/I)3 quantum dots through noble metal nanostructure-mediated localized surface plasmon resonance

The luminescence properties of perovskite quantum dots are crucial for their applications in various optoelectronic devices. Enhancing the luminescence performance of CsPb(Br/I)3 quantum dots is a critical challenge for their application in optoelectronic devices. This paper explores the use of noble metal nanostructures to improve the luminescence intensity of these quantum dots through localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). We conducted electric field simulations to optimize the LSPR effect and prepared Au@Ag@SiO2 nanobipyramids with tailored LSPR peaks. The nanobipyramids were then connected to CsPbCl2Br, CsPbBr3, and CsPbBrI2 quantum dots using amine-functionalized SiO2 layers, forming a nanocomposite that showed a significant increase in luminescence. The study identifies the importance of the SiO2 spacer layer in preventing luminescence quenching and demonstrates that the LSPR effect can be harnessed to achieve up to a 15-fold enhancement in luminescence intensity. This research provides a promising avenue for advancing the efficiency of solar energy harvesting devices, light-emitting devices, and optical detectors.

Photon-assisted tunnel rectenna for solar energy harvesting

In this work, we introduce a solar rectenna that is combined with a periodic subwavelength spiral antenna and a metal-oxide-semiconductor photon-assisted tunneling diode. We obtain spectral absorption and electromagnetic field distributions by numerical simulations and calculate the tunneling current densities generated by solar rectenna. The results indicate that broadband absorption with a peak value over 0.99 is achieved in the range of 400-2500 nm. Additionally, the figure of merit for tunneling electric field enhancement reaches over 104. Under AM1.5 solar irradiation, the calculated zero-bias tunneling current densities are up to 13.93 mA/cm2. This study is expected to advance the development of ultra-high frequency rectennas and pave the way for efficient solar energy harvesting.

Characterization of water-controlled shape memory alloys for solar tracking applications

Growing demands for cleaner energy sources lead to innovations that require investigations in solar energy harvesting. Though numerous organic and inorganic photovoltaic devices have been explored for the solar power conversion, achieving a high efficiency is still an open challenge for the researchers. In this context, an efficient, self-adjusting solar power panel coupled with low-cost and high reliability is of great significance and demand. In this study, we investigate the potential of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuators for solar tracking applications. Three SMA configurations were considered containing one and up to three SMAs arranged in parallel. The temperature range for the displacement experiments was 40°–60°. Additionally, three levels of mass were used, namely, 500 g, 600 g, and 700 g. The displacement experiments revealed that the addition of more SMAs into the configuration provided a more consistent performance. The force experiment revealed that two-SMA configuration achieved 60% higher force production compared to the one-SMA configuration under the same conditions while the three-SMA configuration was 31% higher than in the two-SMA configuration and 110% compared to the one-SMA configuration. Additionally, the force hysteresis of the two-SMA setup was smaller and closer to that of single-SMA configuration. The two-SMA configuration force hysteresis exhibited a more linear trend as compared to that of the three-SMA configuration. The outcomes of this work highlight the potential of using SMAs as actuators in solar-powered applications and that optimization in terms of the needed number of SMAs is required to meet the displacement and/or force requirements.

Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging System using Solar Energy

Abstract: The proliferation of electric vehicles (EVs) has spurred the need for efficient and sustainable charging solutions. This paper presents the design and implementation of a wireless EV charging system integrating solar energy harvesting and Arduino-based control. The proposed system aims to provide convenient and eco-friendly charging for EVs while minimizing reliance on grid electricity. The core components of the system include photovoltaic panels for solar energy capture, wireless power transfer technology for cordless charging, and Arduino microcontrollers for system control and monitoring. By harnessing solar energy, the system reduces dependence on conventional power sources, thereby lowering carbon footprint and operating costs.

The Future of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) Has No Batteries

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) hold immense potential across various fields, including precision agriculture, rescue missions, delivery services, weather monitoring, and many more. Despite this promise, the limited flight duration of current UAVs stands as a significant obstacle to their widespread adoption. Attempting to extend flight time by solar panel charging during midflight is not viable due to battery limitations and the eventual need for replacement. This article highlights exciting efforts towards the future of a UAV that survives in the air by harvesting solar energy and performing long-term missions without battery re-charging and/or replacement.

Quasi-conformal monolithic n-i-p perovskite/c-Si tandem solar cells with light management strategies exceed 28 % efficiency

In the rapidly evolving field of photovoltaic technology, monolithic perovskite/crystalline silicon tandem solar cells (PSK/c-Si TSCs) have emerged as promising contenders, combining the advantageous properties of PSK with the recognized power conversion efficiency (PCE) of c-Si. Available studies have shown that in the field of PSK/c-Si TSCs, c-Si substrates can be categorized into: flat and pyramidal-textured structures. The limitation of flat structure lies in optical reflection losses, and the commercialization of large-scale pyramid structure is challenging to be compatible with conventional planar PSK solution processes. This study presents a novel quasi-conformal structure with dimensions between flat and pyramidal structures, which facilitates its seamless integration into PSK and c-Si production. Thermally evaporated bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide (TFSI)-doping 2,2′,7,7′-tetrakis(N,N-di-p-methoxyphenyl-amine)-9,9′-spirobifluorene (spiro-OMeTAD) has better conformal and electrical properties. The in-situ cesium-based PSK recrystallized-arrays (CPRA) growth scheme achieves current density matching of the two sub-cells by band-edge modulation of the wide-bandgap components. The champion PCE of CPRA-modified PSK/c-Si TSC is 28.53 %. The stability is enhanced due to the protective effect of the inorganic CPRA interface. This research exhibits the successful integration of novel structural elements and light management strategies, which are expected to have wider applications in solar energy harvesting.

High-performance ultra-simple solar absorber with extremely high tolerance for fabrication errors

Broadband metamaterial perfect absorbers have drawn considerable attention from researchers for a broad range of applications in electromagnetic stealth, solar energy harvesting and other fields. However, it is extremely challenging to integrate the excellent characteristics of ultra-broadband, perfect absorption, polarization independent, and insensitivity to wide incidence angles into a structurally simple absorber. Herein, we present an ultra-wideband solar perfect absorber with an ultra-simple structure, which consists of a Si3N4-Ti-Si3N4-Ti four-layer structure. The optimized structure offers more than 92 % absorption in the bandwidth range of 450–2750 nm, and the average absorption is up to 97.3 %. Moreover, we elaborate the physical mechanism to achieve the broadband perfect absorption. For solar thermal systems, the absorber is capable of absorbing 95.7 % of the sunlight, its blackbody radiation absorption is as high as 98.0 % at 1900 K and it has a photothermal conversion efficiency of 90.2 % at 1000 K. Furthermore, the absorber displays the characteristics of being independent of polarization and insensitive to wide incidence angles. Additionally, the absorber possesses a very high tolerance for manufacturing errors. It is shown that the designed absorber is ultra-simple in structure and excellent in performance, and has excellent application prospects in fields including solar thermal conversion.

Design and analysis of a machine learning-optimized multi-layered absorber for renewable energy applications

Harvesting solar energy into other useful energy sources are essential now a days, hance there are many systems available for that, such as solar absorbers, solar PV, etc. In this study, we have investigated four different solar absorber designs. Out of that four, the Hash-Shaped Solar Absorber (HSSA) structure is more effective for absorbing solar radiation and converting it into heat energy. With the broad response range this structure absorb more than 90 % of the radiation in observed range (100–5000 nm). The HSSA structure demonstrates absorption > 99 % at specific wavelength peaks, including 170 nm, 550 nm, 1790 nm, 2750 nm, 3090 nm, and 3700 nm within the solar spectrum. With this the HSSA structure is having more than 93 % absorption in the 3000–4000 nm range, whereas more than 97 % absorption is achieved in the visible region. Further, the HSSA structure is treated with the Machine Learning model as the parameter optimization. The greatest R2 value for this structure is 0.999592with a test size of 0.25, and the mean squared error is 1.79801 × 10−4. The ML reduces time (takes ¼ of the traditional time) and other simulation requirements. Additionally, the structure is polarization insensitive and up to 60° incident angle insensitive. Due tothese characteristics, the HSSA structures find usage in variousapplications, including solar thermal energy harvesting systems, plasmonic sensors, and detectors.

Study of Lithium-Based Double Perovskites Halides Li2AgBiZ6 (Z = Cl, Br, I) as Emerging Aspirant of Solar Cells and Energy Harvesting Applications

Study of Lithium-Based Double Perovskites Halides Li2AgBiZ6 (Z = Cl, Br, I) as Emerging Aspirant of Solar Cells and Energy Harvesting Applications

Efficient solar energy harvesting via thermally stable tungsten-based nanostructured solar thermophotovoltaic systems

Electromagnetic radiations are a key energy source, which, by deploying bandgap-engineered devices, are directed onto PV cells to maximize their utilization. In this regard, the Solar Thermophotovoltaic (STPV) systems are vital, consisting of an intermediate absorber-emitter assembly between sunlight and solar cells. A theoretical and computational demonstration of a highly thermally robust, angularly stable, polarization-insensitive, and compact tungsten-based broadband absorber and spectrally selective emitter in symmetric metal-insulator-metal (W-SiO2-W) configuration has been presented. The nanoscale absorber consists of four differently-sized cylinders forming a supercell, and the emitter is cylindrical. The absorber has been optimized over a range of operating temperatures and solar irradiances, manifesting a very high absorption for the visible region with an average of 98.09 % for 400 – 800 nm, exhibiting > 99 % absorption for a BW of 225 nm with a peak of 99.99 % at 674 nm. The emitter has been optimized with 99.72 % emissivity at the desired spectral location. The absorber’s intermediate efficiency is 99.91 % for 5000 suns at 800 °C, which is as high as 72.33 % at a target temperature of 3200 °C. This study aims to match a higher bandgap of 1.5 eV perovskite solar cells and realize higher efficiency than tandem solar cells. The solar cell efficiency is 42.39 %, which results in solar-to-electricity efficiency of 42.38 %, exceeding the Shockley-Queisser (SQ) limit. As a proof-of-concept using a simulation program SCAPS-1D, a perovskite solar cell is illuminated using a bandgap-matched photon, increasing its efficiency from 26.67 % to 45.79 %. Thus, the presented idea achieves cell efficiency beyond the SQ limit without employing complex tandem cells.

Plasmon-Enhanced Light Absorption Below the Bandgap of Semiconducting SnS2 Microcubes for Highly Efficient Solar Water Evaporation.

Semiconducting materials show high potential for solar energy harvesting due to their suitable bandgaps, which allow the efficient utilization of light energy larger than their bandgaps. However, the photon energy smaller than their bandgap is almost unused, which significantly limits their efficient applications. Herein, plasmonic Pd/SnS2 microcubes with abundant Pd nanoparticles attached to the SnS2 nanosheets are fabricated by an in situ photoreduction method. The as-prepared Pd/SnS2 microcubes extend the light-harvesting ability of SnS2 beyond its cutoff wavelength, which is attributed to the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect of the Pd nanoparticles and the 3D structure of the SnS2 microcubes. Pd nanoparticles can also enhance the light absorption of TiO2 nanoparticles and NiPS3 nanosheets beyond their cutoff wavelengths, revealing the universality for promoting absorption above the cutoff wavelength of the semiconductors. When the plasmonic Pd/SnS2 microcubes are integrated into a hydrophilic sponge acting as the solar evaporator, a solar-to-vapor efficiency of up to 89.2% can be achieved under one sun. The high solar-to-vapor conversion efficiency and the broad applicability of extending the light absorption far beyond the cutoff wavelength of the semiconductor comprise the potential of innovative plasmonic nanoparticle/semiconductor composites for solar desalination.

Design and Simulation of a CdTe/C2N/SnO2 Trilayer Photovoltaic Cell viaSCAPS-1D

Introduction: Simulation of cadmium telluride (CdTe)-based solar cells (CdTe/C2N/SnO2) using Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator-1D (SCAPS-1D) has been presented in this article. Method: C2N was introduced as a buffer layer, SnO2 was introduced as a window layer, and CdTe was introduced as an absorber layer. Result: The impact of the thickness of the CdTe, SnO2, and C2N layers, the defect density and carrier concentration of the CdTe layer, and the impact of ambient temperature were analyzed. Conclusion: The optimized solar cell demonstrated a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 22.41% with an open circuit voltage (VOC) of 1.07 V, a short circuit current density (JSC) of 23.59 mA/cm2, and an FF of 88.51%, indicating huge promise in low-cost solar energy harvesting.

Advancing Energy Sustainability Through Solar-to-Fuel Technologies: From Materials to Devices and Systems.

To achieve carbon neutrality and sustainable development, innovative solar-to-fuel systems have been designed through the integration of solar energy harvesting and electrochemical devices. Over the last decade, there have been notable advancements in enhancing the efficiency and durability of these solar-to-fuel systems. Despite the advancements, there remains significant potential for further improvements in the performance of systems. Enhancements can be achieved by optimizing electrochemical catalysts, advancing the manufacturing technologies of photovoltaics and electrochemical cells, and refining the overall design of these systems. In the realm of catalyst optimization, the effectiveness of materials can be significantly improved through active site engineering and strategic use of functional groups. Similarly, the performance of electrochemical devices can be enhanced by incorporating specific additives into electrolytes and optimizing gas diffusion electrodes. Improvements in solar harvesting devices are achievable through efficient passivant and self-assembled monolayers, which enhance the overall quality and efficiency of these systems. Additionally, optimizing the energy conversion efficiency involves the strategic use of DC converters, photoelectrodes, and redox media. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the advancements in solar-powered electrochemical energy conversion systems, laying a solid foundation for future research and development in the field of energy sustainability.

Amide‐derived Norbornadienes: Towards Efficient Molecular Solar Thermal Systems in Polar Solvents

Solar energy harvesting is a promising alternative to the escalating energy demand. Among emerging technologies, MOlecular Solar Thermal (MOST) systems offer exciting avenues for solar fuel generation. However, their widespread application is partially hindered by the use of environmentally problematic and potentially hazardous organic non‐polar solvents, such as toluene. Addressing this challenge, we here developed a series of four norbornadienes (NBDs) featuring symmetric amide substituents via functionalization of the readily available diacid substituted NBD. These compounds exhibit enhanced solubility in greener solvents like ethanol, a significant advancement over non‐polar NBDs. Moreover, the reversible switching was demonstrated for three new NBDs through photoisomerization via UV‐light absorption and to form QC and reversible catalysis via a commercial heterogeneous gold‐based catalyst. By expanding the repertoire of environmentally benign solar fuel materials, this research contributes to the broader objective of sustainable energy generation and storage.

Multi‐Resonance Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Molecules for Triplet‐Triplet Annihilation Upconversion

AbstractTriplet‐triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA‐UC) has made significant progress in recent years in several key applications, including solar energy harvesting, photocatalysis, stereoscopic 3D printing, and disease therapeutics. In TTA‐UC research, photosensitizers serve the vital function of harvesting low‐energy photons. The photophysical characteristics of photosensitizers, including absorbance, triplet state quantum yield, triplet state energy level, triplet state lifetime, etc., determine the performance of TTA‐UC. Thus, the study of photosensitizers has been a key aspect of TTA‐UC. In recent years, multi‐resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR‐TADF) molecules have received extensive attention due to their excellent photophysical properties and electroluminescent device performance. MR‐TADF molecules not only present a narrow energy gap between the singlet and triplet excited states, but also have stronger absorption and better wavelength regulation than conventional TADF molecules. Nowadays, the preliminary attempts in TTA‐UC using MR‐TADF molecules as photosensitizers have resulted in the development of green to ultraviolet, blue to ultraviolet, and even near‐infrared to blue emission. This concept will summarize the research progress of MR‐TADF molecules as photosensitizers in TTA‐UC, analyzing the challenges and giving possible solutions. Finally, we prospect the future development of MR‐TADF molecules as photosensitizers, including the molecular design as well as the possible application areas.

Analysis of absorption and thermal radiation performance of solar absorbers based on TiN, Nb2O5 and graphene

This work proposes a multi-layer structured solar absorber based on TiN, metal oxide Nb2O5 and graphene. Simulations and calculations are based on finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. The average absorption efficiency of the structure is 94.41 % across the spectrum of 280–3000 nm, with absorption bandwidths of 2360 nm (for absorption efficiency exceeding 90 %) and 1819 nm (for absorption efficiency exceeding 95 %). Moreover, the weighted average absorption under AM 1.5 reaches 95.71 %, underscoring the exceptional absorption capabilities of the structure. This structure also has the property of polarization insensitivity. The absorption spectrum varies weakly with the polarization angle, and there is some deviation as the incident light increasing from 0 to 60°. However, the absorption efficiency at 60° is still 81.16 %. We further investigated the thermal radiation performance, discovering an efficiency exceeding 80 % within the range of 300–1400 K, and surpassing 90 % within 800–1400 K. These outstanding absorption and thermal radiation properties position the structure as highly versatile, with potential applications spanning solar energy harvesting and radiation-related fields.