Unfolding Electrolyzer Characteristics to Reveal Solar-to-Chemical Efficiency Potential: Rapid Analysis Method Bridging Electrochemistry and Photovoltaics.

Development of photovoltaic-electrochemical (PV-EC) systems for energy storage and industry decarbonization requires multidisciplinary collaborative efforts of different research groups from both photovoltaic and electrochemical research communities. Consequently, the evaluation of the solar-to-chemical or solar-to-fuel efficiency of a new electrolyzer (EC) as a part of a PV-EC system is a time-consuming task that is challenging in a routine optimization loop. To address this issue, a new rapid assessment method is proposed.

Toward the Integration of a Silicon/Graphite Anode-Based Lithium-Ion Battery in Photovoltaic Charging Battery Systems.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) energy generation is highly dependent on weather conditions and only applicable when the sun is shining during the daytime, leading to a mismatch between demand and supply. Merging PVs with battery storage is the straightforward route to counteract the intermittent nature of solar generation. Capacity (or energy density), overall efficiency, and stability at elevated temperatures are among key battery performance metrics for an integrated PV-battery system.

The electrically detected magnetic resonance microscope: combining conductive atomic force microscopy with electrically detected magnetic resonance.

We present the design and implementation of a scanning probe microscope, which combines electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR) and (photo-)conductive atomic force microscopy ((p)cAFM). The integration of a 3-loop 2-gap X-band microwave resonator into an AFM allows the use of conductive AFM tips as a movable contact for EDMR experiments. The optical readout of the AFM cantilever is based on an infrared laser to avoid disturbances of current measurements by absorption of straylight of the detection laser.

Multi-frequency EDMR applied to microcrystalline thin-film silicon solar cells.

Pulsed multi-frequency electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR) at X-, Q- and W-Band (9.7, 34, and 94GHz) was applied to investigate paramagnetic centers in microcrystalline silicon thin-film solar cells under illumination. The EDMR spectra are decomposed into resonances of conduction band tail states (e states) and phosphorus donor states (P states) from the amorphous layer and localized states near the conduction band (CE states) in the microcrystalline layer.