The Perovskite-Info newsletter (December 14, 2021)

Researchers from Kyung Hee University and Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) in Korea have used cholesteric reflective screens, which were influenced by the skin of a beetle, to produce efficient and opaque perovskite solar cells. Unlike metal and oxide-based reflection screens, cholesteric reflective filters (ChRFs) are entirely composed of organic compounds and are much easier to design and implement.

For use in colored perovskite solar cells (PSCs), two distinct kinds of ChRFs were produced, each with a distinct cross-linking pattern (monolayer or bilayer). Since the color of the ChRFs varies depending on the angle of view, they can be utilized to make colored PSCs. As the reflective screens were created using only organic components and wet procedures, they can be used to build large and adaptable PSCs without the need for expensive suction methods.

Canada-based solar energy startup Solaires Enterprises Inc. has launched a new perovskite-based photovoltaic ink, with over four month shelf life and ability to air process in ambient conditions and generate high energy conversion efficiency in solar panels.

Chief Development Officer of Solaires Enterprises Inc., Ernest Daddey, stated: “We have developed a solution that will enable innovative solar energy applications to revolutionize solar energy harvesting. We are currently in advanced discussions with key partners for this product as they are interested in Solaires’ vitally important work in accelerating our transition to a low-carbon economy”.

Canada-based solar energy startup Solaires Enterprises has launched a new perovskite-based photovoltaic ink, with over four month shelf life and ability to air process in ambient conditions and generate high energy conversion efficiency in solar panels.

Solaires' Chief Development Officer, Ernest Daddey, stated: “We have developed a solution that will enable innovative solar energy applications to revolutionize solar energy harvesting. We are currently in advanced discussions with key partners for this product as they are interested in Solaires’ vitally important work in accelerating our transition to a low-carbon economy”.

Researchers from the Femtosecond Spectroscopy Unit, led by Professor Keshav Dani, at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) and Optoelectronics Materials and Device Spectroscopy Group, led by Dr. Sam Stranks at the University of Cambridge, have identified three different kinds of defect clusters in perovskite thin films, which likely occur during fabrication and may impede efficiency of perovskite solar cells.

The perovskite material lies at the heart of the solar cell, which consists of many different layers. When the sun hits the solar cell, its energy is absorbed by the perovskite, causing electrons to jump into a higher energy level and leaving holes behind. All the electrons then move in one direction through the layers of the solar cell to the electrical contact and the holes, in the other direction, thus generating a current.

Researchers from TNO at Holst Centre, Solliance and TU/e have jointly developed a thin and flexible perovskite-based scanner for fingerprints.

Low-resolution image-sensor arrays have been demonstrated in the past, but the high-resolution, high pixel-count image sensors suitable for commercial applications have not yet been truly achieved. The thin and flexible scanner in this new work is based on metal-halide perovskites (MHPs). Gerwin Gelinck, Chief Technology Officer TNO at Holst Centre, elaborates on the new study: “Perovskites are marvelous materials! For the first time we show that these materials are also very good for light imaging and sensing applications. When combined with display-like transistors, we made a scanner that can capture high-resolution color images as well as biometric fingerprinting”.