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Abstract Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) hold potential for low-cost, high-efficiency solar energy, but their sensitivity to moisture limits practical application. Current fabrication requires controlled environments, limiting mass production. Researchers aim to develop stable PSCs with longer lifetimes under ambient conditions. In this research work, we investigated the stability of perovskite films and solar cells fabricated and annealed in natural air using four different anti-solvents: toluene, ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, and chlorobenzene. Films (about 300 nm thick) were deposited via single-step spin-coating and subjected to ambient air-atmosphere for up to 30 days. We monitored changes in crystallinity, electrical properties, and optics over time. Results showed a gradual degradation in the films’ crystallinity, morphology, and electro-optical properties. Notably, films made with ethyl acetate exhibited superior stability compared to other solvents. These findings contribute to advancing stable and high-performance PSCs manufactured under normal ambient conditions. In addition, we also discuss the possible machine learning (ML) approach to our future work direction to optimize the materials structures, and synthesis process parameters for future high-efficient perovskite solar cells fabrication.

The world’s energy demand has significantly increased as a result of the growing population and accompanying rise in energy usage. Fortunately, the innovation of nanomaterials (NMs) and their corresponding processing into devices and electrodes could enhance the functionality and/or advancement of the current battery energy storage systems (BESSs). Patent landscape analysis (PLA) can offer a comprehensive overview of technological development trends and enable discussion in interdisciplinary areas that facilitate more rational technology planning in the future. In this study, PLA of recent advancements in the NM-based BESS was critically analyzed, future technologies forecasted, and potential challenges outlined. A search was performed in the Lens database using “energy storage system,” “battery,” and “nanomaterial,” and related patents under the simple family were extracted. Finally, after excluding duplicates and irrelevant patents, a total of 89 patents were selected for analysis using various parameters. The article provides a current technical overview along with an extensive bibliographic review of the patent family, trends of patent growth, key inventors and owners, patent legal status, patent jurisdiction, top cited patents, etc., as well as technological updates. Overall, nanotechnology has great potential for the future; however, further research and studies are necessary to accelerate the widespread usage of NMs in energy storage systems using cost-effective and environmentally friendly technologies.

Abstract A numerical analysis of a CdTe/Si dual-junction solar cell in terms of defect density introduced at various defect energy levels in the absorber layer is provided. The impact of defect concentration is analyzed against the thickness of the CdTe layer, and variation of the top and bottom cell bandgaps is studied. The results show that CdTe thin film with defects density between 1014 and 1015 cm−3 is acceptable for the top cell of the designed dual-junction solar cell. The variations of the defect concentrations against the thickness of the CdTe layer indicate that the open circuit voltage, short circuit current density, and efficiency (ƞ) are more affected by the defect density at higher CdTe thickness. In contrast, the Fill factor is mainly affected by the defect density, regardless of the thin film’s thickness. An acceptable defect density of up to 1015 cm−3 at a CdTe thickness of 300 nm was obtained from this work. The bandgap variation shows optimal results for a CdTe with bandgaps ranging from 1.45 to 1.7 eV in tandem with a Si bandgap of about 1.1 eV. This study highlights the significance of tailoring defect density at different energy levels to realize viable CdTe/Si dual junction tandem solar cells. It also demonstrates how the impact of defect concentration changes with the thickness of the solar cell absorber layer.

In this work, the Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator (SCAPS-1D) is employed to evaluate the characteristics of CdTe thin films with ZnTe as the Back Surface Field (BSF) layer and estimate the effective copper doping ratio at both the atomic scale and the device operational response perspective. The electrical characteristics of ZnTe, at varying levels of copper doping, were derived using density functional theory (DFT) by applying the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and Hubbard U corrections (DFT+U). The performance of ZnTe with different Cu concentrations as a BSF layer was evaluated by analysing the values of four key parameters that are open circuit voltage (VOC), short circuit current density (JSC), fill factor (FF), and conversion efficiency (η). The results indicate that an increase in Cu concentration from 0% to 3%, 6%, 10%, and 12% resulted in a reduction of the energy band gap. Specifically, the energy band gap decreased from 2.24 eV to 2.10 eV, 1.98 eV, 1.92 eV, and 1.88 eV, respectively. Optimal Cu doping promotes the favourable shift in the valence band maxima (VBM) and formation of p + -ZnTe, lowering thermionic emission and improving carrier lifetime, which results in an improved ohmic contact, η = 18.73% for 10% of Cu content. Excessive doping in contrast degraded the overall device performance by forming an unmatched carrier band offset at the front interface with CdS, increasing the acceptor type defect and CdTe compensation rate. Overall, the findings suggest that incorporating a controlled level of Cu, which in this case is around 10%, promotes the efficiency and stability of the proposed CdTe device configuration to a certain extent.

The study used magnetron sputtering to investigate the growth of cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin films on surface treated n-type silicon (n-Si) substrates. The n-Si substrates were textured using potassium hydroxide (KOH) before the sputter deposition of CdTe. This was followed by cadmium chloride treatment to reduce the strain at the interface of CdTe and Si, which is caused by the incompatible lattice and thermal expansion mismatch (CTE). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that the lowest FWHM and dislocation densities were obtained for CdCl2/CdTe/txt-nSi, which aligns with the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results. In the SEM images, the interface bonding between the CdTe and Si surfaces was visible in the cross-sections, and the top-view images revealed sputtered CdTe thin films conforming to the patterns of pyramidal textured Si as an engineered surface to capture more light to maximize absorption in the CdTe/Si tandem design. The Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) results showed that all the CdTe deposited on textured n-Si exhibited more Te atoms than Cd atoms, irrespective of the CdCl2 treatment. The presented results suggest that the texturization and CdCl2 treatment improved the morphology and grain boundary passivation of the sputtered CdTe. The adhesiveness of CdTe on the n-Si substrate was also significantly enhanced. Our findings further demonstrate that proper surface treatment of the Si substrate can greatly improve the quality of CdTe grown on Si by reducing the strain that occurs during the growth process. This study demonstrates a valuable method for enhancing the integration of CdTe with Si for two-junction tandem solar cell applications.

Recent advancements in CdTe solar cell technology have introduced the integration of flexible substrates, providing lightweight and adaptable energy solutions for various applications. Some of the notable applications of flexible solar photovoltaic technology include building integrated photovoltaic systems (BIPV), transportation, aerospace, satellites, etc. However, despite this advancement, certain issues regarding metal and p-CdTe remained unresolved. Besides, the fabrication of a full-working device on flexible glass is challenging and requires special consideration due to the unstable morphology and structural properties of deposited film on ultra-thin glass substrates. The existing gap in knowledge about the vast potential of flexible CdTe solar cells on UTG substrates and their possible applications blocks their full capacity utilization. Hence, this comprehensive review paper exclusively concentrates on the obstacles associated with the implementation of CdTe solar cells on UTG substrates with a potential back surface field (BSF) layer. The significance of this study lies in its meticulous identification and analysis of the substantial challenges associated with integrating flexible CdTe onto UTG substrates and leveraging Cu-doped ZnTe as a potential BSF layer to enhance the performance of flexible CdTe solar cells.

In the realm of internal combustion engines, there is a growing utilization of alternative renewable fuels as substitutes for traditional diesel and gasoline. This surge in demand is driven by the imperative to diminish fuel consumption and adhere to stringent regulations concerning engine emissions. Sole reliance on experimental analysis is inadequate to effectively address combustion, performance, and emission issues in engines. Consequently, the integration of engine modelling, grounded in machine learning methodologies and statistical data through the response surface method (RSM), has become increasingly significant for enhanced analytical outcomes. This study aims to explore the contemporary applications of RSM in assessing the feasibility of a wide range of renewable alternative fuels for internal combustion engines. Initially, the study outlines the fundamental principles and procedural steps of RSM, offering readers an introduction to this multifaceted statistical technique. Subsequently, the study delves into a comprehensive examination of the recent applications of alternative renewable fuels, focusing on their impact on combustion, performance, and emissions in the domain of internal combustion engines. Furthermore, the study sheds light on the advantages and limitations of employing RSM, and discusses the potential of combining RSM with other modelling techniques to optimise results. The overarching objective is to provide a thorough insight into the role and efficacy of RSM in the evaluation of renewable alternative fuels, thereby contributing to the ongoing discourse in the field of internal combustion engines.

Microalgal biofuel is a promising solution to replace fossil fuel as a renewable and environmental‐friendly energy source, thereby contributing to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG‐7, or Affordable and Clean Energy. Unlike energy crops (like oil palm and sugar cane), microalgae benefit from faster growth rate, higher lipid content, smaller land area required, ability to flourish using waste or brackish water, and posing zero competition with food crops. Microalgae‐derived biofuels (like biodiesel, bioethanol, biomethane, and biohydrogen) are sustainable energy sources that can be produced using well‐developed techniques (e.g., transesterification, fermentation, anaerobic digestion, and Fisher–Tropsch process). To prevent dire climate conditions resulting from the global temperature rise of 1.5°C and resolve worldwide energy security issue, our generation will need to establish and implement renewables on a global scale. To improve the industrial production of microalgal biofuel, the efficiencies of biomass and metabolite production to post‐cultivation biofuel synthesis processes must be enhanced. For the cultivation step, there exist three key techniques that can directly change the traits, structure, and behavior of microalgal cells, and induce them to accumulate targeted metabolites rapidly and in large amounts. These techniques are genetic engineering, chemical modulation, and nanomaterial approach. Genetic engineering commonly alters the chloroplast DNA of microalgae to overexpress or down‐regulate key genes in various metabolic pathways so that the cells accumulate more lipids. Chemicals can also be used to modulate microalgal growth and lipid accumulation by inducing oxidative stress or prevent conversion of lipid molecules. Nanomaterials and nanoparticles can also enhance microalgal lipid production by microenvironmental stress induction, vitamin supplementation, and light backscattering. Therefore, in this review, the recent progress as well as the pros and cons of genetic engineering, chemical modulation, and nanomaterial approach in achieving greater biofuel production from microalgae are comprehensively examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]