Category Chemistry/Nanotechnology

Dr Xiaojing Hao of UNSW’s Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics holding the new CZTS solar cells. Credit: Quentin Jones/UNSW

‘Zero-energy’ buildings – which generate as much power as they consume – are now much closer after a team at UNSW, Australia achieved the world’s highest efficiency using flexible solar cells that are non-toxic and cheap to make. Until now, the promise of ‘zero-energy’ buildings been held back by 2 hurdles: the cost of the thin-film solar cells (used in façades, roofs and windows), and the fact they’re made from scarce, and highly toxic, materials.

NREL, USA’s National Renewable Energy Lab, confirmed this world leading 7.6% efficiency in a 1cm2 area CZTS cell this month...

Basic concept of self-humidifying nanovalved membrane. A hydrophobic coating layer provides a self-controlled mechanism for water conservation using nanometre-sized cracks (nanocracks) tuned by membrane swelling behaviour in response to external humidity conditions, which act as nanovalves. Credit: Chi Hoon Park et al. Nature (2016). DOI: 10.1038/nature17634 

Inspired by the humble cactus, a new type of membrane has the potential to significantly boost the performance of fuel cells and transform the electric vehicle industry. In hot conditions the membrane, which features a water repellent skin, can improve the efficiency of fuel cells by a factor of 4...

Young-A Lee and her research team have designed a vest and shoe prototype from the cellulosic fiber grown in this lab. Credit: Christopher Gannon, Iowa State University

The fashion industry generates a lot of waste, which is why a team of researchers developed a new fiber that’s 100% biodegradable. Researchers are testing the fiber – made from a green tea byproduct – to see if it’s a viable alternative. Instead of soil and seeds, LeBaron Hall lab plastic bins contain a gel-like film consisting of cellulose fibers – a byproduct of kombucha tea – that feeds off a mixture of vinegar and sugar. The film is grown by using a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY)...

Thin films of crystalline materials called perovskites provide a promising new way of making inexpensive and efficient solar cells. Now, an international team of researchers has shown a way of flipping a chemical switch that converts one type of perovskite into another — a type that has better thermal stability and is a better light absorber. Credit: Padture Lab / Brown University

Thin films of crystalline materials, perovskites provide a promising new way of making inexpensive and efficient solar cells. An international team has shown a way of flipping a chemical switch that converts one type of perovskite into another – a type that has better thermal stability and is a better light absorber...