A Novel Hexagonal Beam Steering Electrowetting Device for Solar Energy Concentration

Traditional tracking devices for solar energy applications have several disadvantages, such as bulky mechanical structure, large wind loads, and ease of misalignment. This study aims to design a flat, thin, and adaptive beam steering device to eliminate these drawbacks. A proof of concept device was fabricated to demonstrate this design. The novelty of the proof of concept device is the hexagonal structure of the electrowetting cell design. The hexagonal cell was dosed with two immiscible liquids with different refractive indices. The hypothesis of this design is that by deforming the liquid shape with the application of voltage, light can be steered and concentrated for solar energy applications. A maximum contact angle change of 44° was observed with the application of 26 V to one of the electrodes of the hexagonal cell. The device demonstrated a 4.5° change of laser beam path with only a 0.2 refractive index difference of the liquids. The 3D simulation model developed in this study shows that a tilted and flat interface can be achieved using higher dielectric constant dielectric materials. The device can facilitate the planer steering and concentration of sunlight for rooftop applications without moving mechanical parts.

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Cost Effective Synthesis and Fabrication of Phase-Pure Kesterite Cu2-xZn1.3SnS4 P-type Absorber Layer Thin Films by Solvent Based Process Technique for Photovoltaic Solar Energy Applications

International Journal of Emerging Research in Management and Technology ◽

10.23956/ijermt.v7i4.5 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 36

Author(s):

B. Khadambari ◽

S. S. Bhattacharya

Keyword(s):

Solar Energy ◽

Renewable Energy Sources ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Absorber Layer ◽

Window Layer ◽

Energy Applications ◽

Process Technique ◽

Absorber Material ◽

Effective Synthesis ◽

P Type

Solar has become one of the fastest growing renewable energy sources. With the push towards sustainability it is an excellent solution to resolve the issue of our diminishing finite resources. Alternative photovoltaic systems are of much importance to utilize solar energy efficiently. The Cu-chalcopyrite compounds CuInS2 and CuInSe2 and their alloys provide absorber material of high absorption coefficients of the order of 105 cm-1. Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) is more promising material for photovoltaic applications as Zn and Sn are abundant materials of earth’s crust. Further, the preparation of CZTS-ink facilitates the production of flexible solar cells. The device can be designed with Al doped ZnO as the front contact, n-type window layer (e.g. intrinsic ZnO); an n-type thin film buffer layer (e.g. CdS) and a p-type CZTS absorber layer with Molybdenum (Mo) substrate as back contact. In this study, CZTS films were synthesized by a non-vaccum solvent based process technique from a molecular-ink using a non toxic eco-friendly solvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The deposited CZTS films were optimized and characterized by XRD, UV-visible spectroscopy and SEM.

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Current Commentary Recent Developments in Solar Energy Applications based on Perovskites: A Current Commentary

Science Progress ◽

10.3184/003685016x14722014911261 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 99 (3) ◽

pp. 335-345 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Christopher J. Rhodes

Keyword(s):

Solar Energy ◽

Energy Applications ◽

Recent Developments ◽

A Current

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Use of biodegradable colloids and carbon black nanofluids for solar energy applications

AIP Advances ◽

10.1063/5.0053258 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 055214

Author(s):

A. Kosinska ◽

B. V. Balakin ◽

P. Kosinski

Keyword(s):

Solar Energy ◽

Carbon Black ◽

Energy Applications

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Photothermal performance of hybrid nanofluids with different base fluids for solar energy applications

Energy Sources Part A Recovery Utilization and Environmental Effects ◽

10.1080/15567036.2021.1936697 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-16

Author(s):

Pandi Kalidoss ◽

Srirangaraya Gounder Venkatachalapathy ◽

Sivan Suresh

Keyword(s):

Solar Energy ◽

Energy Applications ◽

Hybrid Nanofluids

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Tuning Bandgaps of Mixed Halide and Oxide Perovskites CsSnX3 (X=Cl, I), and SrBO3 (B=Rh, Ti)

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11156862 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (15) ◽

pp. 6862

Author(s):

Hongzhe Wen ◽

Xuan Luo

Keyword(s):

Solar Energy ◽

Electronic Properties ◽

Density Functional ◽

Photovoltaic Cell ◽

Photovoltaic Properties ◽

Functional Theory ◽

New Approach ◽

Energy Applications ◽

Valence Bands ◽

The Ideal

Perovskites have recently attracted interest in the field of solar energy due to their excellent photovoltaic properties. We herein present a new approach to the composition of lead free perovskites via mixing of halide and oxide perovskites that share the cubic ABX3 structure. Using first-principles calculations through Density Functional Theory, we systematically investigated the atomic and electronic structures of mixed perovskite compounds composed of four cubic ABX3 perovskites. Our result shows that the B and X atoms play important roles in their band structure. On the other hand, their valence bands contributed by O-2p, Rh-4p, and Ti-3p orbitals, and their electronic properties were determined by Rh-O and Ti-O bonds. With new understandings of the electronic properties of cubic halide or oxide perovskites, we lastly combined the cubic perovskites in various configurations to improve stability and tune the bandgap to values desirable for photovoltaic cell applications. Our investigations suggest that the mixed perovskite compound Cs2Sn2Cl3I3Sr2TiRhO6 produced a bandgap of 1.2 eV, which falls into the ideal range of 1.0 to 1.7 eV, indicating high photo-conversion efficiency and showing promise towards solar energy applications.

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Optical investigations and photoactive solar energy applications of new synthesized Schiff base liquid crystal derivatives

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-94533-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Fowzia S. Alamro ◽

Sobhi M. Gomha ◽

Mohamed Shaban ◽

Abeer S. Altowyan ◽

Tariq Z. Abolibda ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Solar Energy ◽

Liquid Crystalline ◽

Molecular Structures ◽

Light Illumination ◽

Electrical Measurements ◽

Scanning Calorimetry ◽

Energy Applications ◽

Meta Position ◽

Chain Group ◽

Liquid Crystalline Materials

AbstractNew homologues series of liquid crystalline materials namely, (E)-3-methoxy-4-[(p-tolylimino)methyl]phenyl 4-alkloxybenzoates (I-n), were designed and evaluated for their mesomorphic and optical behavior. The prepared series constitutes three members that differ from each other by the terminally attached alkoxy chain group, these vary between 6 and 12 carbons. A laterally OCH3 group is incorporated into the central benzene ring in meta position with respect to the ester moiety. Mesomorphic characterizations of the prepared derivatives are conducted using differential scanning-calorimetry (DSC), polarized optical-microscopy (POM). Molecular structures were elucidated by elemental analyses and NMR spectroscopy. DSC and POM investigations revealed that all the synthesized derivatives are purely nematogenic exhibiting only nematic (N) mesophase, except for the longest chain derivative (I-12) that is dimorphic possesses smectic A and N phases. Moreover, all members of the group have a wide mesomorphic range with high thermal nematic stability. A comparative study was established between the present derivative (I-6) and their previously prepared isomer. The results indicated that the location exchange of the polar compact group (CH3) influences the N mesophase stability and range. The electrical measurements revealed that all synthesized series I-n show Ohmic behaviors with effective electric resistances in the GΩ range. Under white light illumination, the effective electric conductivity for the compound I-8 is five times that obtained in dark conditions. This derivative also showed two direct optical band gaps in the UV and visible light range. In addition, I-6 has band energy gaps of values 1.07 and 2.79 eV, which are suitable for solar energy applications.

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