What are the latest advances in solar energy technology?5 answersSolar energy technology has seen several recent advances. One area of focus is thermal energy storage (TES) systems, which bridge the gap between resource availability and energy demand. Different types of TES materials, such as sensible heat storage (SHS) materials like water, molten salts, and graphite, as well as thermochemical heat storage (TCHS) materials, have been explored for medium and long-term storage. Another area of development is photo-assisted rechargeable batteries, particularly lithium-based batteries. These batteries can directly convert and store solar energy, making them attractive for energy storage. Various designs of photo-assisted lithium-based batteries, including Li-ion, Li-S, Li-O2, Li-CO2, and Li-I batteries, have been investigated. Additionally, concentrated solar power (CSP) plants with thermal energy storage units have been developed to enable round-the-clock electricity production. These plants are cost-effective and can utilize high temperatures achieved in concentrated solar thermal (CST) plants for thermochemical cycles, such as hydrogen production. Furthermore, there have been advancements in full-spectrum conversion of solar energy through spectral modification and coupling solar thermal applications. Machine learning methods have also been applied to improve solar energy utilization. Overall, these developments contribute to the efficient use of solar energy and the transition to a more sustainable energy sector.
What are the recent advances in thin-film technology in led?5 answersRecent advances in thin-film LED technology include the development of a monolithic thin film red LED active-matrix micro-display driven by a CMOS driver. This micro-display has a resolution of 64x36 pixels and a pixel pitch of 40μm x 40μm. It delivers a luminance of 2.35x10^4 cd/m2 and can render images with 4-bit grayscale. The integration of the LED array with the AM driver was achieved using Au/In flip-chip bonding technology. This work not only provides a manufacturing-friendly approach for monolithic thin film red LED micro-displays but also opens up the possibility of hybrid integration with blue/green LEDs to achieve full-color LED micro-displays.
How about new research in thermal solar ?5 answersNew research in thermal solar energy is focused on improving the efficiency and practical applications of solar thermal conversion and utilization. Studies have shown that solar power has a much lower carbon footprint compared to fossil fuels, making it an attractive solution for addressing global warming. One area of research is the development of photothermal materials and structures that can effectively capture and convert light energy to heat, leading to advancements in solar distillation, solar electricity generation, and atmospheric water harvesting. Another area of research is the integration of photovoltaic and thermal technologies, such as the development of solar photovoltaic photothermal integrated louver curtain walls, which can generate electricity while creating a good thermal environment for buildings and reducing energy consumption. Additionally, research is being conducted on the design and development of heat exchangers for photovoltaic thermal collector systems, which aim to improve the overall efficiency of PV modules by enhancing heat transfer. These advancements in thermal solar research contribute to the development of sustainable and efficient energy systems.
What are the latest advances in the fabrication of DUV-LEDs?4 answersRecent advances in the fabrication of DUV-LEDs include the use of an AlN-doped silicone filled chip-side (ASFCS) packing method to reduce side light loss and improve radiation efficiency. Another approach is the introduction of an n-type electron deceleration layer (EDL) underneath multiple quantum wells (MQWs) to enhance the internal quantum efficiency (IQE) and light output power. Additionally, an intelligent algorithm based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) has been used to guide the design of light extraction surface structures, resulting in significantly increased light extraction efficiency (LEE). Furthermore, the sandwiching of a p-AlGaN layer into the n-AlGaN layer has been shown to improve current spreading and enhance external quantum efficiency (EQE) in AlGaN-based DUV-LEDs. These advancements offer promising strategies for improving the performance and efficiency of DUV-LEDs.
What are the latest advances in the fabrication of DUV-LEDs to improve light extraction efficiency?5 answersRecent advances in the fabrication of deep-ultraviolet light emitting diodes (DUV-LEDs) to improve light extraction efficiency include the use of micro-LED arrays with insulator layers made of SiNx or SiO2, which showed an increase in peak external quantum efficiency (EQE) by a factor of four compared to large area devices. Another method is the use of micropillar and nanowire arrays, which can increase light extraction efficiency from ∼45% to more than 95% for TM-polarized emission and from ∼35% to more than 85% for TE-polarized emission. Additionally, an intelligent algorithm based on particle swarm optimization has been proposed to guide the design of surface structures, resulting in significant increases in light extraction efficiency of up to 257%. Furthermore, the use of inverted hexagonal pyramid structures (IHPS) with small top widths and large depths has been explored, with simulation results showing a best light extraction efficiency ratio of 358%. These advancements offer promising strategies for enhancing the light extraction efficiency of DUV-LEDs.
What are the latest advances in thermal engineering?5 answersRecent advances in thermal engineering include the development of new thermal management technologies for various industries such as electric vehicles, IoT sensors, photothermal energy conversion, ground thermal energy utilization, and propulsion systems. Materials engineering has also made significant progress in controlling thermal conductivity, with research focusing on theories of heat conduction, characterization techniques for measuring thermal conductivity, and the study of advanced materials like rattlers, complex unit cells, nanowires, and nanocomposites. The demand for high thermal-management capabilities has led to the innovation of advanced materials for efficient thermal management, including nanopolyhybrid design technologies that integrate nanomaterials and polymers for diverse applications such as energy harvesting, thermoregulation, energy saving in construction, and electronic thermal management. Additionally, protein engineering has been explored to enhance the thermal stability of proteins for industrial, bioanalytical, and pharmaceutical applications. These advancements in thermal engineering aim to improve thermal management, control thermal conductivity, and enhance thermal stability for various industries and applications.