Technology and R&D

Amber Solutions has developed a solid-state AC/DC enabler, as well as an AC switch, with the aim of “disrupting the global electrical and powered products industries.” It claims the new tech provides greater reliability and control than ever before.

The German companies are developing an intelligent energy solution for heating, hot water, energy management and solar power generation in a single coordinated system.

Scientists in China have fabricated a dual-ion battery with a lithium titanate anode and graphite cathode. Their research focuses on some of the difficulties arising from the material’s low specific capacity and their device exhibits leading performance for a lithium titanate battery.

An international research team has measured the reduction of air pollution due to the Covid-19 shutdown and its impact on solar radiation levels. They found that solar radiation in Delhi, one of the world’s most polluted cities, was around 8.3% higher in late March, when the Indian government implemented lockdown measures.

Scientists in Australia and the United States have managed to ‘upconvert’ light from below the silicon bandgap into high-energy light that can be captured by silicon solar cells.

Researchers in France have tried to predict the competitiveness of tandem PV modules against commercial crystalline products in 2030. Crystalline products will be 22-24% efficient in a decade, according to the researchers, possibly 25% if interdigitated back-contact heterojunction versions become mainstream. To compete, tandem devices will need to offer similar life spans and degradation rates, plus efficiencies of 30%.

Scientists in the U.S. claim to have demonstrated an inexpensive, long-life, safe and eco-friendly redox flow battery. The device is said offer coulombic efficiency of 97.9% thanks to functional electrolyte additives, pH and elevated temperature.

British Li-S cell manufacturer Oxis Energy today revealed it is working with U.S. planemaker Texas Aircraft Manufacturing on a pilot training and private transport aircraft. The trainer appears likely to be at least three years away from development, given the commissioning timeline previously announced for Oxis’ Brazilian cell factory.

The manufacturer says its new device is the highest-powered string inverter available. The Solis-255K-EHV, three-phase product has a reported efficiency of 99% – and a European efficiency of 98.8%.

Recovering silicon of the quality required for reuse in panels is at the heart of mitigating device carbon footprints. R&D efforts should be ramped up now, says an international research group, so the technology is in place when huge volumes of modules begin to need replacing.