Scientists explore designing solar cells in space out of moon dust. 🌘

If successful, this method could overcome one of space exploration's biggest challenges: a reliable energy source.

@unipotsdam.bsky.social @drflang.bsky.social
#Device

Our newest collaboration on Moon Photovoltaics using Lunar Regolith and Halide Perovskites is out ! 🌙☀️🌓👽🚀🪐
authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S...
Together with @tuberlin.bsky.social @unipotsdam.bsky.social @neher-labs.bsky.social in @cellpress.bsky.social

"Are metal-halide perovskite solar cells really radiation tolerant?" This is the question we ask in our new @cellpress.bsky.social Joule paper. We challenge the notion of #perovskite invincibility, and present 4 keys to assess them for space power.

Free access:
authors.elsevier.com/a/1khA9925JE...

Beyond Flat: Undulated Perovskite Solar Cells on Microscale Si Pyramids by Solution Processing Microscale pyramids of silicon solar cells are often considered incompatible with solution-processed perovskite films. Thus, solution processing has mainly been used with submicron pyramids that are buried under thick perovskite films with flattened front surfaces. Yet, while this modification simplifies the fabrication process, it compromises optical performance compared to conformal perovskite films (e.g., obtained by vapor processing). Here, we show that protrusion-free perovskite films can be formed on random pyramids much higher than the film thickness by tailoring the film thickness to match the pyramids’ height profile, notably without modifying the pyramid facets. Accordingly, we demonstrate perovskite cells spin-coated on over 2 μm-high random pyramids with electronic performance comparable to those fabricated on flat substrates, and proof-of-concept perovskite-silicon tandem devices with efficiencies reaching 33%. Finally, we show that the undulated films with enhanced conformality enable optical performance superior to flat surfaces, especially upon encapsulation, most relevant to outdoor applications.

Hi,
I'm new to BSK. A good place to start: new publication from my team:

Si solar cells with micro-pyramids are considered not compatible with solution-proc. perovskite films—but are they? We show films coated onto >2 μm pyramids with optical benefits beyond flat.

pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

Another topic: We are looking for a postdoctoral candidate to study and understand non-geminate recombination in OPV on the basis of a newly developed 5 level model. A strong background in device physics is highly appreciated. If interested, contact me directly via neher@uni-potsdam.de