<
https://reneweconomy.com.au/solar-cells-can-self-heal-after-sunburn-and-knowing-this-could-slash-the-cost-of-making-them/>
"The cosmetics industry will tell you that sun damage is the worst thing to
happen to your skin, and until now the photovoltaic industry held similar views
about solar cells.
But unlike in humans, much of the damage done by ultraviolet rays to solar
panels is very reversible, according to new research out of the University of
New South Wales (UNSW). In fact, it appears that solar cells can heal
themselves.
The findings from the UNSW research could cut the cost of making solar modules
and improve their efficiency because now researchers — and manufacturers — can
see in real time what UV radiation is doing inside a solar cell while it is
operating.
Furthermore, they can test and see within seconds whether a cell is vulnerable
to UV damage.
“This technique works a bit like a camera. Instead of just measuring how much
power the cell produces, we can directly see how the material itself is
changing in real time,” said Ziheng Liu, corresponding author of the paper in
Energy & Environmental Science, in a statement.
“Normally we can only measure the power output. That has been observed already
by many people, but with this new method we are also explaining the mechanism
and we can see the change at a material level.”
The UNSW method of using ultraviolet Raman spectroscopy, which uses lasers to
scatter light and reveal a material’s molecular vibrations, allowed Liu and his
co-authors to see what is happening in real time without having to physically
shred the panel, or rely on electrical output readings.
“This approach helps distinguish between true long-term degradation and
reversible changes,” Liu said.
“That distinction is essential for accurate lifetime prediction.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
