Lower-income communities across the United States have long been much slower to adopt solar power than their affluent neighbors, even when local and federal agencies offer tax breaks and other financial incentives.But, commercial and industrial rooftops, such as those atop retail buildings and factories, offer a big opportunity to reduce what researchers call the “solar equity gap,” according to <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-024-01485-y" data-extlink="" target="_blank">a new study</a>, published in Nature Energy and led by researchers at Stanford University.“The solar equity gap is a serious problem in disadvantaged communities, in part because of income inequalities, but also because residential solar isn’t usually practical for people who don’t own their homes,” said <a href="https://profiles.stanford.edu/ram-rajagopal" data-extlink="" target="_blank">Ram Rajagopal</a>, senior author of the study and associate professor of <a href="https://cee.stanford.edu/" data-extlink="" target="_blank">civil and environmental engineering</a> and of <a href="https://ee.stanford.edu/" data-extlink="" target="_blank">electrical engineering</a> at Stanford. “This new study shows that commercial and industrial properties have the capacity to host solar resources to fill in part of that gap.”<h2>Untapped resources</h2>First, the bad news. The researchers found that non-residential rooftops generate 38% less electricity in disadvantaged communities than in wealthier ones. That gap, which is mainly because of lower deployment in poorer areas, has widened over the past two decades. Nevertheless, this gap is significantly lower than that of residential solar in these neighborhoods.The good news, the researchers say, is that non-residential buildings have large unused capacity to produce solar power for their own benefit and to supply the communities around them. In low-income communities, commercial enterprises may be more responsive to government incentives for solar power than households are. <a href="https://engineering.stanford.edu/magazine/solar-panels-are-largely-confined-wealthy-americans" target="_blank">An earlier study</a> by the same researchers found that residential customers in disadvantaged communities, who may have fewer financial resources and often don’t own their homes, show less response to tax breaks and other financial inducements.“Using Stanford’s <a href="https://deepsolar.web.app/" data-extlink="" target="_blank">DeepSolar</a> database, we estimated that solar arrays on non-residential buildings could meet more than a fifth of annual residential electricity demand in almost two-thirds of disadvantaged communities,” said <a href="https://de.linkedin.com/in/moritz-wussow-35082453?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F" data-extlink="" target="_blank">Moritz Wussow</a>, the study’s lead author.“Also, the raw cost of that power would be less in many communities than the residential rates that local electric utilities charge,” said Wussow, who was a visiting student researcher in Rajagopal’s lab group in 2022 and 2023.To quantify the distribution of non-residential solar power installations, the researchers used satellite images and artificial intelligence to identify the number and size of rooftop solar arrays in 72,739 census tracts across the United States. About one-third of those tracts are deemed disadvantaged by the U.S. government.The team tracked non-residential solar deployment as well as the amount of unused rooftops that would be good candidates for solar installation from 2006 through 2016 and then again for 2022. They then calculated the average annual cost of producing solar electricity in each area, based on the amount of local sun exposure and other variables. The costs ranged from about 6.4 cents per kilowatt-hour in sun-drenched New Mexico to almost 11 cents in Alaska. But those costs were lower than residential electricity rates in many of those areas – even in many northern states.<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-zanocco-582a031a" data-extlink="" target="_blank">Chad Zanocco</a>, a co-author of the new study and a postdoctoral fellow in civil and environmental engineering, noted that getting the power to residential areas would include other costs, such as battery storage and the construction of microgrids.“We estimate that battery storage would increase total system costs by about 50%, but even that would be practical in almost two-thirds of the disadvantaged communities we studied,” Zanocco said.<h2>Economies of scale</h2>If commercial and industrial solar arrays can feed their surplus electricity into local power grids, the researchers write, lower-income residents could gain access through community subscriptions rather than by building their own rooftop panels. Commercial and industrial sites also offer greater economies of scale, compared to individual household solar panels. Another big advantage is that non-residential power customers could also be highly sensitive to tax incentives and other government inducements, leading to greater adoption.Further lowering barriers, the researchers noted, is the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 which has provided billions of dollars for states and local communities for clean-energy infrastructure. That money has already reduced the cost of new microgrids.“Beyond reducing carbon emissions and slowing climate change, increased access to solar power would offer tangible local benefits to lower-income communities,” said <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/zhecheng-wang-96287b132/" data-extlink="" target="_blank">Zhecheng Wang</a>, a co-author and a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford’s Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence.“This would promote local clean and low-cost energy generation, which would also increase the resilience from outages and reduce the pollution caused by fossil fuel power plants – many of which are located in low-income areas.”Additional Stanford co-authors on the paper are:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajanieprabha" data-extlink="" target="_blank">Rajanie Prabha</a>, a PhD student in Civil &amp; Environmental Engineering;&nbsp;<a href="https://profiles.stanford.edu/june-flora" data-extlink="" target="_blank">June Flora</a>, a senior research scholar in Civil &amp; Environmental Engineering, and in Stanford’s School of Medicine; and&nbsp;<a href="https://profiles.stanford.edu/arun-majumdar" data-extlink="" target="_blank">Arun Majumdar</a>, dean of Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, professor in the departments of Energy Science &amp; Engineering, of Mechanical Engineering, and of Photon Science at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, and senior fellow at the Precourt Institute and Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment. Civil &amp; Environmental Engineering is a joint department of the&nbsp;<a href="https://engineering.stanford.edu/" target="_blank">Stanford School of Engineering</a>&nbsp;and the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.is.uni-freiburg.de/mitarbeiter-en/team/dirk-neumann" data-extlink="" target="_blank">Dirk Neumann</a>, a professor of information systems research at Albert-Ludwigs-Universität in Freiburg, Germany, is also a co-author. Ram Rajagopal is also co-director of the Bits &amp; Watts Initiative at the&nbsp;<a href="http://energy.stanford.edu/" data-extlink="" target="_blank">Precourt Institute for Energy</a>, which is part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://sustainability.stanford.edu/" data-extlink="" target="_blank">Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability</a>.

What measures can be taken to reduce the "solar equity gap"? | Image courtesy of Hans Wilschut

A new study finds that factory and warehouse rooftops offer a big untapped opportunity to help disadvantaged communities bridge the solar energy divide.

Stanford-led research shows how commercial rooftop solar power could bring affordable clean energy to low-income homes

Research and industry worldwide are working on the commercialization of perovskite photovoltaics.&nbsp;Most research laboratories focus on solvent-based manufacturing processes because they are versatile and easy to use.&nbsp;However, established photovoltaic companies today rely almost exclusively on vacuum processes to deposit high-quality thin films.&nbsp;An international consortium led by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL, USA) has analyzed this critical discrepancy between laboratory and industry.&nbsp;They emphasize: Industrially proven vacuum processes could, with certain improvements, contribute to the rapid commercialization of perovskite solar cells.&nbsp;The results appeared in&nbsp;Energy &amp; Environmental Science (DOI:&nbsp;<a href="https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2024/ee/d3ee03273f" target="_blank">10.1039/d3ee03273f</a> ).Perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells have undergone rapid development in the past ten years: Efficiencies of more than 33 percent have been achieved in research.&nbsp;This means they are already better than conventional silicon-based solar cells.&nbsp;However, it is still not ready for the market.&nbsp;One of the hurdles is the unresolved question of which process can best be used to produce perovskite solar cells as a mass product.&nbsp;Solvent-based manufacturing processes that are used in laboratories worldwide are contrasted with vapor phase deposition processes in vacuum, which are still standard today in the production of thin films in photovoltaics or in the production of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). &nbsp; In a current comparative study, an international consortium of academic and industrial partners led by NREL and KIT revealed major differences in the scientific approach to these production processes.&nbsp;Tenure-track professor Ulrich W. Paetzold from the Institute of Microstructure Technology and the Light Technology Institute of KIT explains: “98 percent of all scientific studies in 2022 were published on solvent-based processes.&nbsp;Vacuum-based processes that have proven themselves in industry for decades and could significantly advance the commercialization of solar cells are neglected.”To explain: Solvent-based production uses inks in which organic and inorganic salts are dissolved in a solvent.&nbsp;These inks can then be deposited onto the surface of a substrate via various printing techniques.&nbsp;In contrast, vacuum-based manufacturing uses dry and solvent-free processes.&nbsp;The materials are sublimated in a vacuum with the addition of heat, i.e. transferred from the solid to the gaseous state and condensed on the substrate surface.&nbsp;In principle, it is also possible to combine both processes for the production of perovskite solar cells.<h2>Laboratory efficiencies and throughput are not everything when it comes to mass production</h2>In the study, the authors analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of both methods.&nbsp;The dominance of solvent-based production in research so far lies in its uncomplicated handling in laboratories, which is the reason for very good results in terms of efficiency under laboratory conditions and its low costs.&nbsp;In addition, there is the possible scalable roll-to-roll production, i.e. endless deposition between two rolls, similar to newspaper printing.In comparison, the vacuum-based production process causes slightly higher investment costs and, based on the processes used in research, is currently still behind in terms of deposition speed, i.e. production throughput.&nbsp;However, the authors show a variety of possible solutions and estimate that it is competitive taking into account real parameters such as electricity costs, production yield, material, decommissioning or recycling costs.&nbsp;Above all, the good repeatability of the deposition, the simple process control, the availability of industrial process equipment and the easy scaling of the deposition from small solar cell areas in the laboratory to application-relevant product areas make the process highly interesting for commercialization.&nbsp;“Vacuum-based production performs better than its reputation,” says Tobias Abzieh.&nbsp;It is therefore not surprising that the authors, in a first-ever published overview of commercialization activities in perovskite technology, were already able to demonstrate a lively interest in vacuum-based processes for the production of perovskite solar cells on the part of industry - despite the discrepancy in this regard on the method mainly used in research.In order for vacuum-based processes to fully exploit their scaling effects, the manufacturing method still needs to be further improved, according to the researchers. Among other things, further research must be carried out on the quality of the separation in order to further increase the efficiency. It is also important to significantly increase the speed of deposition. “Vacuum-based manufacturing processes are not only the industry’s first choice when it comes to bringing thin-film technologies to market maturity. Our analysis also shows that the processes are competitive with solvent-based approaches,” adds David More from NREL.<hr>Original publicationTobias Abzieh, David T. Moore, Marcel Roß, Steve Albrecht, Jared Silvia, Hairen Tan, Quentin Jeangros, Christophe Ballif, Maximilian T. Hoerantner, Beom-Soo Kim, Henk J. Bolink, Paul Pistor, Jan Christoph Goldschmidt, Yu -Hsien Chiang, Samuel D. Stranks, Juliane Borchert, Michael D. McGehee, Monica Morales-Masis, Jay B. Patel, Annalisa Bruno and Ulrich W. Paetzold: Vapor phase deposition of perovskite photovoltaics: short track to commercialization? Energy &amp; Environmental Science, 2024. DOI: 10.1039/d3ee03273f

Perovskite photovoltaics promise high levels of efficiency. Researchers from KIT and partners have now analyzed different production approaches. (Photo: Tobias Zieher)

Various production approaches in research and industry – comparative study explores paths to mass production

Perovskite Solar Cells: Vacuum Process Can Lead to Market Readiness

As the world looks to phase out fossil fuels in favor of cleaner, renewable energy sources, more effort is being put into improving existing renewable technologies and creating devices that can harness renewable energy sources in new ways. Sunlight captured in solar cells is currently one of the most used renewable energy sources. However, there are also a number of other ways in which sunlight can be harnessed to produce energy.Given the amount of sun that hits the Earth each day, there is excellent potential for solar-based energy harvesting devices to become one of the front runners in a cleaner and greener society—and expand on their existing position as one of the leading renewable technologies. Designers are testing and using 2D materials in a number of these solar-harvesting systems, from the widespread use of graphene in solar cells to the use of different 2D materials in photocatalytic and photothermal harvesting approaches.<h2>Photovoltaics (Solar Cells)</h2>Of all the solar harvesting methodologies and technologies in existence, solar cells are by and far the most commercialized, most popular, and most efficient choice. There are several bulk solar cells in existence composed of silicon and perovskite materials. In addition, a number of approaches are being developed where 2D materials (and other nanomaterials) are being used to either improve the performance of bulk silicon solar cells or offer a way to create much thinner and/or more flexible solar cells. In the latter, there are already a number of flexible organic solar cells; however, the active materials tend to suffer from a much lower performance than inorganic materials, so 2D materials offer a way of providing thinner solar cells with much-improved performance.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1707665382989-nuno-marques-0GbrjL3vZF4-unsplash.jpg" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Photo by Nuno Marques on UnsplashMany devices are in existence where doped graphene has been used as the photoactive material in the semiconducting photovoltaic junction within solar cells, sometimes on its own and other times in conjunction with silicon in bulkier solar cells. Beyond this, graphene and its derivatives are touted as an alternative for the hole transport layer instead of expensive noble metals, such as silver and gold, in an attempt to lower the cost of large-scale solar cells. Graphene is also used in conjunction with silicon in a number of other hybrid devices, including in the creation of thinner, flexible and semi-transparent solar cells.While graphene is gathering the most interest, graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) are being integrated into different solar cells—because of their stability and resistance to several potentially degrading stimuli—to improve their long-term stability and ensure that they run optimally for longer. These 2D materials are being integrated into a wide range of bulk solar cells on a commercial level, including in silicon and perovskite solar cells as well as in tandem solar cells.In recent years, the interest in flexible solar cells has significantly grown, and while graphene was the first 2D material tested for solar cells, the area has since expanded and continues to do so. In recent years, TMDCs have been used alongside graphene to create efficient, flexible solar cells and perovskite materials are now being made into 2D sheets to try and emulate the success of the bulkier perovskite solar cells—but in the form of a much smaller and flexible solar cell. 2D perovskite solar cells have not yet been able to reach the heights of their bulkier counterparts, but it is a much newer addition to the 2D family, so there is still plenty of time for them to play a part in 2D material-enhanced solar cells.<h2>Photocatalytic Harvesting</h2>Photocatalytic reactions generate new greener fuels and are different from many other energy harvesting technologies where the direct output is electricity. In photocatalytic harvesting, the energy from sunlight is harvested to produce fuel, which can then be used to power devices and electronic systems. Photocatalytic harvesting is currently a promising approach in water splitting technologies to produce hydrogen fuel.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzA3NjY1MTg2MzAzLWFuZHJlYXMtZ3Vja2xob3JuLUlscGYyZVVQcFVFLXVuc3BsYXNoLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Photo by Andreas Gücklhorn on UnsplashPhotocatalytic harvesting occurs when semiconducting materials are used. The photocatalytic harvesting occurs because the photons from the sunlight (with a high energy) generate an electron-hole pair in the semiconducting material once absorbed. However, these photogenerated excited states tend to be unstable, so the charge carriers recombine. During this separation and recombination process, the electrons and holes are transported across the surface of the material, which either reduces or oxidizes the absorbed atoms. It is this process that leads to the generation of hydrogen gas, and there is a similar photocatalytic process that can be used to generate oxygen molecules as well (often at the same time).Photocatalytic reactions can be initiated using a number of materials, and a number of different semiconducting 2D materials are used for these photocatalytic harvesting reactions. In many cases, the exposed edges on the 2D sheets offer an effective site for the photocatalytic reactions to take place. TMDCs, such as molybdenum disulfide, have gathered a great deal of interest because the sheets actively absorb hydrogen ions. Graphene and its derivatives—especially doped versions to make them semiconducting—are also well-tested materials because the high surface area of both graphene and TMDCs, alongside their absorption and electrical conductivity properties, make them suitable catalytic sites for hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) to produce hydrogen fuel.<h2>Photothermal Harvesting</h2>Photothermal harvesting approaches once again offer a different approach to many conventional solar harvesting technologies. In these harvesting methods, photothermal materials are used to absorb light energy and convert it into heat energy. 2D materials have a range of optical properties that can be harnessed to absorb light waves—and subsequently convert it into heat—with some of the 2D materials exhibiting optical properties that are unique and not found in other material classes, while others having very beneficial properties in general.2D materials are known to absorb wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation across a wide spectrum, including in the visible and near-infrared regions. However, these applications are very different in that these approaches are typically used in medical applications to enable different treatments to take place. The absorption of light and generation of heat means that different medical treatments can take place without the need for more invasive approaches. For example, heat is generated in the form of a vibrational energy, and this energy can be used to target and kill cancer cells.It's an approach that is more niche in nature, and while it doesn’t power devices, different 2D materials—from graphene derivatives, to TMDCs, to MXenes—are being used to harvest light to provide new and efficient medical treatments, and photothermal therapies are becoming an interesting application area for 2D materials alongside the more conventional solar energy harvesting operations.<h2>Conclusion</h2>Solar harvesting, in the form of solar cells, is already an established technology, but 2D materials are offering a way of improving the efficiencies and long-term stabilities of solar cells as well as offering new ways of creating thin, flexible, and transparent solar cells. Beyond solar cells, 2D materials offer great potential for creating hydrogen fuel via photocatalytic reactions and harvesting light for advanced cancer therapies. As modern society looks toward more ways of harvesting our natural environment, 2D materials offer a way to harvest solar rays into a usable output efficiently.

As the world looks to phase out fossil fuels in favor of cleaner, renewable energy sources, more effort is being put into improving existing renewable technologies and creating devices that can harness renewable energy sources in new ways.

Using 2D Materials in Photo-Harvesting Applications

An insight into preventing perovskite semiconductors from degrading quickly, discovered at the University of Michigan, could help enable solar cells estimated to be <a href="https://solarmagazine.com/solar-panels/perovskite-solar-cells/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">two to four times cheaper</a> than today’s thin-film solar panels.&nbsp;Perovskites may also be combined with the silicon-based semiconductors that are prevalent in today’s solar panels to create <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-03714-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">“tandem” solar cells</a> that could surpass the maximum theoretical efficiency of silicon solar cells.“Silicon solar cells are great because they are very efficient and can last for a very long time, but the high efficiency comes with a high cost,” said <a href="https://che.engin.umich.edu/people/gong-xiwen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Xiwen Gong</a>, U-M assistant professor of chemical engineering. “To make high-purity silicon, temperatures over 1,000 degrees Celsius are needed. Otherwise, the efficiency won’t be as good.”The high temperature comes with higher economic and environmental costs. But while perovskites can be produced at lower temperatures, they degrade when exposed to heat, moisture and air. As a result, the lifespan of perovskite today is too short to be commercially competitive in solar panels.&nbsp;<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1705965138185-solar-cell-1.jpg" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Perovskite solar cells like this one, made by Xiwen Gong’s group, could make solar energy cheaper and more environmentally friendly—but they degrade faster than silicon. In a study published in the journal Matter, the team discovered how to make the black perovskite film last longer. Photo credit: Zhengtao Hu, Gong Lab, University of Michigan.Gong’s research aims to make hardier perovskite solar cells, and her latest study published in the journal Matter&nbsp;suggests that bulky “defect pacifying” molecules are best at increasing the perovskites’ stability and overall lifespan.Perovskite crystals contain lead atoms that aren’t fully bound to the other components within the perovskite. Such “undercoordinated sites” are defects often found on the crystal surfaces and at grain boundaries where there’s a break in the crystal lattice. These defects hinder the movement of electrons and speed up the decay of the perovskite material.&nbsp;Engineers already know that mixing defect pacifying molecules into the perovskites can help lock up the undercoordinated lead, in turn preventing other imperfections from forming at high temperatures. But until now, engineers didn’t know exactly how a given molecule affected the hardiness of perovskite cells.“We wanted to figure out what features on the molecules specifically improve the perovskite’s stability,” said Hongki Kim, a former postdoctoral researcher in chemical engineering and one of the study’s first authors.To investigate the problem, Gong’s team created three additives with a range of shapes and sizes and added them into thin films of perovskite crystals, which can absorb light and convert it to electricity. Each additive contained the same or similar chemical building blocks, which made size, weight and arrangement the main properties differentiating them.&nbsp;<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1705965160076-Perovskite-Additive-Diagram-.jpg" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Xiwen Gong’s team designed three molecular additives to study the impact of size and configuration on the stability of perovskite films—a material class crucial for creating efficient and cost-effective solar cells. These additives hinder the growth of defects at perovskite crystal lattice breaks, known as grain boundaries, ultimately enhancing solar cell efficiency. The bulkiest molecule effectively covers surface defects on perovskite grains, simultaneously increasing grain size during manufacturing. Larger grains lead to fewer grain boundaries, reducing potential defect sites. Image credit: Carlos A. Figueroa Morales, Gong Lab, University of Michigan.Then, the team measured how strongly the different additives interacted with perovskites and consequently influenced the formation of defects in the films. Larger molecules by mass were better at sticking to the perovskite because they had more binding sites that interact with perovskite crystals. As a result, they tended to be better at preventing defects from forming.But the best additives also needed to take up a lot of space. Large but skinny molecules resulted in smaller perovskite grains during the manufacturing process. Smaller grains aren’t ideal because they also create perovskite cells with more grain boundaries, or more areas for defects to form. In contrast, bulky molecules forced larger perovskite grains to form, which in turn reduced the density of grain boundaries in the film.Heating the perovskite films to over 200 degrees Celsius confirmed that bulky additives helped the films retain more of their characteristic slate black color and develop fewer structural defects.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1705965183557-Carlos-in-lab.jpg" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Doctoral student Carlos Alejandro Figueroa Morales places a perovskite thin film sample into a spectrometer that measures the light-emitting properties of the perovskites. Changes in how the perovskite films emit light when made with the different additive molecules can reveal how many defects are inside the perovskite. Photo credit: Zhengtao Hu, Gong Lab, University of Michigan.“Both the size and configuration are important when designing additives, and we believe this design philosophy could be implemented across various perovskite formulations to further improve the lifetime of perovskite solar cells, light emitting devices and photodetectors,” said Carlos Alejandro Figueroa Morales, a doctoral student in macromolecular science and engineering and one of the study’s first authors.<hr>Xiwen Gong is also an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, materials science and engineering, macromolecular science and engineering, and applied physics. The research was funded by the University of Michigan and relied on a <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1625671&HistoricalAwards=false" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scanning electron microscope</a> funded by the National Science Foundation. Co-author Nancy Muyanja led the microscopy measurements at the <a href="https://mc2.engin.umich.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michigan Center for Materials Characterization</a>.

The findings could help engineers methodically find the best molecules to increase the lifespan of perovskite solar cells, rather than relying on time-consuming trial and error.

Bulky additives could make cheaper solar cells last longer

Tandem solar cells based on perovskite semiconductors can convert sunlight into electricity more efficiently than conventional silicon solar cells.&nbsp;In order to bring this technology to market, stability and production processes must be further improved.&nbsp;Researchers from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) as well as the Helmholtz Imaging platforms at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Helmholtz AI have now found a way to predict the quality of the perovskite layers and thus the solar cells: using machine learning and new artificial methods Intelligence (AI) allows this to be recognized during production from variations in light emission.&nbsp;The team reports on the results from which improved production processes can be derived in Advanced Materials (DOI: 10.1002/adma.202307160).Perovskite tandem solar cells combine a perovskite with a conventional solar cell, for example based on silicon.&nbsp;They are considered next-generation technology because, with an efficiency of currently more than 33 percent, they are much more efficient than conventional silicon solar cells - with inexpensive starting materials and simple manufacturing methods.&nbsp;The prerequisite for achieving this level of efficiency is a very high-quality and extremely thin perovskite layer, which is only a fraction of the thickness of a human hair.&nbsp;“One of the biggest challenges is to produce these high-quality so-called multicrystalline thin films using cost-effective and scalable processes without defects and holes,” explains tenure-track professor Ulrich W. Paetzold from the Institute of Microstructure Technology and the Light Engineering Institute of KIT.&nbsp;Even under apparently perfect conditions in the laboratory, unknown influences lead to fluctuations in the quality of the semiconductor layers: “This ultimately prevents the rapid start of industrial production of these highly efficient solar cells, which we so urgently need for the energy transition,” says Paetzold.<h2>AI finds hidden signs of a good coating</h2>In order to find out which factors influence the coating, an interdisciplinary team of perovskite solar cell experts from KIT teamed up with machine learning and explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) specialists from Helmholtz Imaging (at the DKFZ in Heidelberg) and Helmholtz AI ( at KIT).&nbsp;The researchers have developed AI methods that train and analyze so-called neural networks using a large data set.&nbsp;The data set includes video recordings of the photoluminescence of the perovskite thin films during the manufacturing process.&nbsp;Photoluminescence refers to the radiant emission of the semiconductor layers after excitation by an external light source.&nbsp;“Since even experts couldn’t see anything remarkable on the thin films, the idea arose to train an AI for machine learning (deep learning) to find hidden indicators of a good or bad coating in the millions of data from the videos,” explain Lukas Klein and Sebastian Ziegler from Helmholtz Imaging at the DKFZ. &nbsp; In order to filter and analyze the very broad information provided by deep learning AI, the researchers subsequently used methods of explainable artificial intelligence.<h2>“Blueprint for follow-up research”</h2>The result: In the experiment, the researchers were able to see that the photoluminescence varies during production and this influences the coating quality. “What was crucial in our work was that we specifically used XAI methods to see which factors would have to change for a high-quality solar cell,” said Klein and Ziegler. That is usually not the case. Most of the time, XAI is only used as a kind of guardrail to avoid errors when building AI models: “This is a paradigm shift, and the fact that we can systematically gain highly relevant findings in materials science in this way is new.” Because the answer is based on the variation of the Photoluminescence enabled the researchers to go further. After appropriate training of the neural networks, the AI was able to predict whether the solar cell would achieve low or high efficiency, depending on when and what variation in light emission occurred during production. “These are extremely exciting results,” says Ulrich W. Paetzold. “Thanks to the combined use of AI, we have an idea of which adjustments we need to make first in order to improve production. We can carry out our experiments in a more targeted manner and no longer have to search for a needle in a haystack in the dark. This is a blueprint for follow-up research, including for many other aspects in energy research and materials science.”<hr><h3>Original publication</h3>Lukas Klein, Sebastian Ziegler, Felix Laufer, Charlotte Debus, Markus Götz, Klaus Maier-Hein, Ulrich W. Paetzold, Fabian Isensee, Paul F. Jäger: Discovering Process Dynamics for Scalable Perovskite Solar Cell Manufacturing with Explainable AI. Advanced Materials, 2023. DOI: 10.1002/adma.202307160

With the support of AI methods, researchers want to improve the manufacturing processes for highly efficient perovskite solar cells (Photo: Amadeus Bramsiepe, KIT)

Artificial intelligence methods show researchers the way to improved manufacturing processes for highly efficient solar cells - a blueprint for other research fields

AI for Perovskite Solar Cells: Key to Better Production

In this episode, we discuss a novel approach from ETH Zurich to remove a design bottleneck from solar reactors that enables power generation output that is 2X the current state of the art!

Podcast: Solar Fuel Reactor Generates Energy Out of Thin Air

This article was discussed in our <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/the.next.byte" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Next Byte podcast</a>.&nbsp;<iframe height="200px" width="100%" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" seamless="" src="https://player.simplecast.com/04a7796d-d07b-4053-b5ac-8fe98f73d311?dark=false" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe> The full article will continue below.<hr>In recent years, engineers at ETH Zurich have developed the technology to produce liquid fuels from sunlight and air. In 2019, they demonstrated the entire thermochemical process chain under real conditions for the first time, in the middle of Zurich, on the roof of ETH Machine Laboratory. These synthetic solar fuels are carbon neutral because they release only as much CO2 during their combustion as was drawn from the air for their production. Two ETH spin-offs, Climeworks and Synhelion, are further developing and commercialising the technologies.At the heart of the production process is a solar reactor that is exposed to concentrated sunlight delivered by a parabolic mirror and reaches temperatures of up to 1500 degrees Celsius. Inside this reactor, which contains a porous ceramic structure made of cerium oxide, a thermochemical cycle takes place for splitting water and CO2 captured previously from the air. The product is syngas: a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, which can be further processed into liquid hydrocarbon fuels such as kerosene (jet fuel) for powering aviation.Until now, structures with isotropic porosity have been applied, but these have the drawback that they exponentially attenuate the incident solar radiation as it travels into the reactor. This results in lower inner temperatures, limiting the fuel yield of the solar reactor.Now, researchers from the group of André Studart, ETH Professor of Complex Materials, and the group of Aldo Steinfeld, ETH Professor of Renewable Energy Carriers, have developed a novel 3D printing methodology that enables them to manufacture porous ceramic structures with complex pore geometries to transport solar radiation more efficiently into the reactor’s interior. The research project is funded by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy.Hierarchically ordered designs with channels and pores that are open at the surface exposed to the sunlight and become narrower towards the rear of the reactor have proven to be particularly efficient. This arrangement enables to absorb the incident concentrated solar radiation over the entire volume. This in turn ensures that the whole porous structure reaches the reaction temperature of 1500°C, boosting the fuel generation. These ceramic structures were manufactured using an extrusion-based 3D printing process and a new type of ink with optimal characteristics developed specifically for this purpose, namely: low viscosity and a high concentration of ceria particles to maximise the amount of redox active material.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk4NDgwNjU3NzkwLWltYWdlLmltYWdlZm9ybWF0LjEyODYuMTk0NDY1Mjc1My5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">3D digital representation (upper right) and photographs (side and top view) of the porous ceramic structure with hierarchically channelled topology. The solar reactor (bottom right) contains an array of these graded structures, which are directly exposed to concentrated solar radiation. (Photographs: ETH Zurich)<h2 id="isPasted">Successful initial testing</h2>The researchers investigated the complex interplay between the transfer of radiant heat and the thermochemical reaction. They were able to show that their new hierarchical structures can produce twice as much fuel as the uniform structures when subjected to the same concentrated solar radiation of intensity equivalent to 1000 suns.The technology for 3D printing the ceramic structures is already patented, and Synhelion has acquired the license from ETH Zurich. “This technology has the potential to boost the solar reactor’s energy efficiency and thus to significantly improve the economic viability of sustainable aviation fuels,” Steinfeld says.<hr><h2 id="isPasted">Reference</h2>Sas Brunser S., Bargardi F., Libanori R., Kaufmann N., Braun H., Steinfeld A., Studart A. Solar-driven redox splitting of CO2 using 3D-printed hierarchically channelled ceria structures, Advanced Materials Interfaces, 2300452, 2023. DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202300452" target="_blank">external page10.1002/admi.202300452</a>

The artwork illustrates a 3D-​printed ceria structure with hierarchically channeled architecture. Concentrated solar radiation is incident on the graded structure and drives the solar splitting of CO2 into separate flows of CO and O2. (Graphic: Advanced Materials Interfaces, Vol 10,Nr. 30, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202300452)

Using a new 3D printing technique, researchers at ETH Zurich have developed special ceramic structures for a solar reactor. Initial experimental testing show that these structures can boost the production yield of solar fuels.

3D printed reactor core makes solar fuel production more efficient

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) stand at the forefront of solar energy innovation, and have drawn a lot of attention for their power-conversion efficiency and cost-effective manufacturing. But the way to commercialization of PSCs still has a hurdle to overcome: achieving both high efficiency and long-term stability, especially in challenging environmental conditions.The solution lies in the interplay between the layers of PSCs, which has proven to be a double-edged sword. The layers can enhance the cells’ performance but also cause them to degrade too quickly for regular use in everyday life.Now, a collaboration between the labs of Michael Grätzel at EPFL and Edward Sargent at Northwestern University, has made a significant leap in designing PSCs with record stability and power-conversion efficiency surpassing 25% addressing two of the most pressing challenges in the solar energy sector. The research is published in&nbsp;Nature.The researchers focused on designing inverted PSCs, which have previously shown promise in terms of operational stability. They introduced a unique, “conformal self-assembled monolayer on textured substrates”, which describes a special, single layer of molecules that spontaneously and uniformly coats the irregular surface of a textured substrate.The new design tackles the problem of “molecular agglomeration”, which occurs when molecules clump together instead of spreading out evenly. When this happens on the textured surfaces of solar cells, it can seriously affect their performance.To address this, the researchers introduced a special molecule called 3-mercaptopropionic acid (3-MPA) into the solar cells’ self-assembled monolayer (SAM) formed by a molecular layer of phosphonic acids substituted by carbazole, which selectively extracts the positive charge carriers (“holes”) that are produced under illumination in the perovskite films.However, this role is compromised by the aggregation of the PAC molecules. Adding 3-MPA enhances the contact between the perovskite material and the solar cell's textured substrate to improve performance and stability, allowing it to disassemble molecular carbazole clusters, and ensuring a more even distribution of the molecules in the self-assembled monolayer. With this addition, the molecules on the solar cell's surface spread out more uniformly, avoiding those problematic clumps and enhancing the PSC’s overall stability and efficiency.The new design enhanced light absorption while minimizing energy losses at the interface between layers, leading to a lab-measured power-conversion efficiency of an impressive 25.3%. In terms of stability, the inverted PSCs showed remarkable resilience. The device maintained 95% of its peak performance even after being subjected to rigorous conditions of 65°C and 50% relative humidity for over 1000 hours. This level of stability, combined with such high efficiency, is unprecedented in the realm of PSCs.This breakthrough design is a significant step forward in putting PSCs into the market; addressing both their efficiency and stability issues, combined with their lower manufacturing costs compared to current solar cells, can lead to widespread adoption. The new method can also go beyond solar cells, benefiting other optoelectronic devices that require efficient light management, such as LEDs and photodetectors.<hr>Other contributors:<ul><li>University of Toronto</li><li>Peking University</li><li>University of Kentucky</li><li>North Carolina State University</li></ul>ReferencesSo Min Park, Mingyang Wei, Nikolaos Lempesis, Wenjin Yu, Tareq Hossain, Lorenzo Agosta, Virginia Carnevali, Harindi R. Atapattu, Peter Serles, Felix T. Eickemeyer, Heejong Shin, Maral Vafaie, Deokjae Choi, Kasra Darabi, Eui Dae Jung, Yi Yang, Da Bin Kim, Shaik M. Zakeeruddin, Bin Chen, Aram Amassian, Tobin Filleter, Mercouri G. Kanatzidis, Kenneth R. Graham, Lixin Xiao, Ursula Rothlisberger, Michael Grätzel, and Edward H. Sargent. Low-loss contacts on textured substrates for inverted perovskite solar cells. Nature October 19, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-023-01377-7

Researchers at EPFL and Northwestern University unveil a groundbreaking design for perovskite solar cells, creating one of the most stable PSCs with a power-conversion efficiency above 25%, paving the way for future commercialization.

New design solves stability and efficiency of perovskite solar cells

By Thomas Kolbusch, Director of Sales, Marketing, and Technology, VP1. AbstractThe Roll-to-Roll (R2R) processing methodology, pivotal in the fabrication of printed electronics, particularly 3rd Gen photovoltaics (OPVs), offers significant advantages. Yet, inherent technical challenges pose constraints in achieving optimal device performance. This article delves into the mechanics, advantages, and impediments associated with the R2R method as applied to OPVs.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk1Mjc1Mzg0NzY4LVNjcmVlbnNob3QgMjAyMy0wOS0yMSAwNjMwMzIucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 420px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">2. R2R Process: Operational Mechanics and Implications2.1. MechanismAt its core, R2R involves unreeling a flexible substrate from a source, subjecting it to various fabrication processes, and subsequently reeling the treated substrate. These processes can encompass material deposition, lithographic patterning, and post-fabrication treatments.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk1MjkwMDc2MjcwLVNjcmVlbnNob3QgMjAyMy0wOS0yMSAxMDQ2NTUucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 658px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">2.2. Benefits<ul><li>High Throughput: Continuous production translates to faster manufacturing cycles..</li><li>Economic Viability: Economies of scale achieved reduce per-unit costs.</li><li>Versatility: It enables the creation of lightweight, flexible electronic devices.</li></ul><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1699454889606-B-and-B-2024%28e-mail%29.jpg" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Join us in Berlin and/or Boston and lets us RESHAPE the Future of Electronics, making it Additive, Sustainable, Hybrid, Wearable, and 3D - techblick.com3. Inherent Technical Challenges in R2R Processing for OPVs3.1. Ensuring Quality HomogeneityAttaining uniformity in deposition across vast substrate lengths poses a formidable challenge. Factors like deposition rate, substrate tension, and ambient temperature can influence the end product's quality.3.2. Addressing Material LimitationsFor OPVs, the choice of materials is critical. Many organic materials used in these cells are sensitive to environmental factors like humidity and temperature. The R2R process, being continuous, requires that these materials remain stable over extended periods, a challenge that is currently under intensive research3.3. Guaranteeing Consistent Device PerformanceSecuring uniform device efficiency across an extended substrate requires rigorous quality control. Discrepancies in layer composition or thickness can culminate in efficiency variations, detracting from the overall process yield.4. An Analysis of Two Decades of OPV AdvancementsOver the preceding 20 years, significant strides have been made in OPV technology:<ul><li>Material Evolution: Introduction of novel organic compounds to enhance light absorption and electron mobility.</li><li>Architectural Refinements: Tandem structures, where multiple OPV layers are stacked, have emerged to enhance the cell's absorption spectrum</li><li>Optimization of R2R Processes: Advancements in substrate control, improved coating and printing techniques, and swifter post-deposition treatments have been established.</li></ul>Despite these advancements, the conversion efficiency of R2R-produced OPVs remains an area of ongoing research when compared to other photovoltaic technologies.5. SummaryThe potential of the R2R process in reshaping printed electronics production is clear. However, its broader adoption, especially for OPVs, demands a precise understanding of its challenges and a continuous drive for research and innovation. The advancements over the past 20 years underline the ongoing effort in this field and the need for further refinement to fully exploit R2R's benefits in OPV manufacturing. Coatema is working on all of these topics with cooperation partners in R&amp;D and industry and with the Horizon Europe project Flex2Energy will establish a production line for OPV in Greece with integrated module assembly. This will be a boost to the European efforts to be more independent from imports from China.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk1Mjc1NDcwMTE2LVNjcmVlbnNob3QgMjAyMy0wOS0yMSAwNjMyNDAucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 511px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Growth rate of the global OPV market<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1699454907254-B-and-B-2024%28small-LinkedIn+for-email%29.jpg" style="width: 742px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Join us in Berlin and/or Boston and lets us RESHAPE the Future of Electronics, making it Additive, Sustainable, Hybrid, Wearable, and 3D - techblick.com

Organic Photovoltaics (OPV are a 3rd Gen PV technology with unique attribute. The key to their success is in Roll-to-Roll (R2R) processing. Here you will learn about the advantages and challenges of R2R manufacturing in OPVs and printed electronics

The Roll-to-Roll (R2R) Process in Industrial Scale-Up: A Comprehensive Examination of Its Impacts and Challenges

As solar power becomes increasingly popular, it&rsquo;s essential to be aware of the potential defects that can occur in solar panels. While most panels are built to last decades, a few things can go wrong.Solar panels are essential to the renewable energy equation, but they&rsquo;re not perfect. Defects can occur in manufacturing, leading to visual defects, electrical problems, and decreased performance.<h2>Visual defects</h2><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1693993848437-visual-defects.jpg" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Visual defects are usually the result of physical damage to the solar panel. This can include cracked glass, chipped edges, and scratches. These defects can reduce the amount of light the solar panel can capture, which will, in turn, reduce the amount of power it can generate.Microcracks occur during solar cell manufacturing and module assembling. Preventing cracks is easy when you pick up panels yourself from a warehouse, vertically stacked or wrapped in blankets or foam. Some PV modules are more susceptible to cracking than others. The least crack-prone option would be a monocrystalline module with half-cut solar cells and the maximum number of busbars.<h2>Non-visible defects<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1693993861519-ir-camera-solar-panel.jpg" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></h2>Some non-visible or not easily detectable defects are caused by dirt or dust on the surface of the solar panel. These defects can cause the solar panel to absorb more heat than it is designed to or reduce its power output.Also, inadequate spacing between the cells, ineffective light trapping by the cell material, low doping of the cell material, and poor electrical contact between the cell and the metal electrodes can cause such defects.<h2>Electrical defects<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1693993882021-voltage-drop.jpg" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></h2>Electrical defects are usually caused by improper installation or wiring. These defects can cause the solar panel to generate less power than it is rated for or to generate power intermittently.Manufacturing defects usually cause maximum power point defects. These defects can cause the solar panel to generate less power than it is rated for at its maximum power point.Open Circuit Defect: This type of defect results in an open circuit in the solar panel, which prevents current from flowing through the panel. This can be caused by a break in the panel&rsquo;s surface, a void in the panel&rsquo;s interior, or a damaged connection.Short Circuit Defect: This defect results in a short circuit in the solar panel, which allows current to bypass the panel and flow directly to the ground. This can be caused by a break in the panel&rsquo;s surface, a void in the panel&rsquo;s interior, or a damaged connection.Reverse Bias Defect: This defect results in a voltage difference between the front and back of the solar panel, inhibiting current from flowing through the panel. This can be caused by a break in the panel&rsquo;s surface, a void in the panel&rsquo;s interior, or a damaged connection.<h2>Conclusion</h2>If you have a solar panel with any of these defects, it is essential to have it repaired or replaced as soon as possible. These defects can cause your solar panel to generate less power than it is capable of, which can increase your electric bill.These problems can be caused by several factors, including manufacturing defects, damage during shipping or installation, or environmental factors such as bird droppings or hail storms. While most solar panels are built to withstand these kinds of problems, it&rsquo;s always a good idea to be aware of the potential for defects so that you can be sure to get the most out of your solar panel investment.

As solar power becomes increasingly popular, it’s essential to be aware of the potential defects that can occur in solar panels. While most panels are built to last decades, a few things can go wrong.

How to Detect Solar Panel Defects - Intro

Energy storage capacity is paramount to the world&#39;s transition to renewable energy sources. This is no small feat. Hundreds of gigawatt hours, which is more than a billion iPhone batteries, are needed to meet our goals. Our question is where is all of that storage going to go? These kinds of large format energy storage systems for solar farms require tens and hundreds of acres of valuable land. More renewables and batteries alone will not solve the toughest challenges limiting the adoption of more sustainable power sources. &nbsp;&nbsp;However, there are miles of cables distributed throughout the grid. Especially in solar farms. They are used to transport power between panels, energy storage systems, and to the grid. This inspired us to consider a dramatically different approach to energy storage - turn wiring infrastructure into energy storage assets.&nbsp;Instead of purchasing the land next to a solar farm to install energy storage capacity, why not store it within the existing wiring in the farm? This is a way to make that dream possible, the energy transition easier, and our global energy storage capacity goals feasible. &nbsp;For example, let&#39;s say there is a 50MW solar farm. That solar farm would have 125 solar trunk busses, which are large cables that distribute ~400kW of power across the farm to its connection points. Turning the solar trunk bus into an energy storage asset too would add over 50MW of peak power capacity from within the existing 125 solar trunk bus connections (approximately&nbsp;1,250ft of cabling). For this to be done using a battery, it would require about 5 acres of land to deliver the same kind of peak power capacity.&nbsp;In a market where energy storage is critical to the utilization and value of solar power, this approach can help providers overcome economic and technical challenges to accelerate mass market adoption of renewables.&nbsp;

If there are 50km of cabling for ever 1MW of solar power capacity, how much energy could be stored in those cables? We are turning wiring infrastructure into energy storage assets. 

Imagine a world powered not only by renewables and batteries but also by the wiring infrastructure that connects these systems to one another. By turning wiring into energy storage assets, we solve tough sustainability challenges like performance and cost while preserving land too. 

Revolutionizing Solar Farms by Unleashing the Energy Storage Potential of Wiring Infrastructure

In this episode, we explore a novel renewable energy solution that blends sustainability with aesthetic design—a creative ivy-shaped solar panel system integrated into the façade of the High-Tech Campus Eindhoven.

Podcast: Sexy & Sustainable: Meet The Solar Ivy

Born and raised in the Egyptian city of Aswan, Joseph Zekry now lives in Eindhoven with his Belgian wife and seven-year-old daughter. Describing himself as a &ldquo;proud Belgian-Egyptian citizen,&rdquo; watching his father doing maintenance on a large airplane is one of his earliest memories. From the pilot&rsquo;s seat, the boy could have an amazing view of the airport, the desert around it, and the aircraft&rsquo;s instrument panel. &ldquo;It triggered something in me about traveling and exploring. Also, some kind of interest in leadership.&rdquo; Whether it was a coincidence or a prediction, adult Joseph explored the world and filled leadership roles in remarkable technology companies, such as ASML and Lightyear. Inspired by Einstein&rsquo;s doings, findings and life philosophy of constant curiosity, creativity and problem-solving &ndash; one of the reasons he went into physics &ndash; Joseph argues that the struggles one goes through can take a positive twist if we look at them as opportunities to learn crucial skills such as empathy.Joseph comes from a Coptic family, an Egyptian religious group with a long history. Not belonging to the country&rsquo;s Islamic majority influenced the boy. &ldquo;I could see the world from a different perspective. Furthermore, being part of a minority often puts pressure on people to excel and compensate for missed opportunities. And that happened to me. I did push myself and excelled at school, and, subsequently, I wanted to attend the best universities in the country,&rdquo; he acknowledges.After his studies at the American University in Cairo, Joseph went to Belgium for scholarship research related to his master&rsquo;s. Following that, he studied in the United States for one year before deciding to go back to Belgium for his Ph.D. (Pause for a heart-warming anecdote: his wife studied Arabic at the University in Leuven, and they met when she looked for volunteers to practice her language skills. They&rsquo;ve been &ldquo;happily married,&rdquo; as he describes, since 2009.)<h2>A purpose-driven individual</h2>&ldquo;As a young boy, I wanted to become a pilot,&rdquo; Joseph shares, reflecting on his childhood dreams inspired by his father&rsquo;s work as a technical officer in the Egyptian army. However, as he matured, he realized that a pilot alone couldn&rsquo;t accomplish much without the aircraft. &ldquo;For me, there was a shift from using a tool or a machine to doing a service where I could enable people to achieve their desires. And then technology stood up for me as a real enabler for people to grow, to progress, to develop society and so on.&rdquo; As such, Joseph&rsquo;s passion for technology and its potential to empower others took root early in his life.Joseph pursued a bachelor&rsquo;s degree in electrical engineering and telecommunications, focusing on expanding mobile networks in Africa and developing countries. This was followed by a master&rsquo;s degree in physics and a Ph.D. at IMEC in Belgium, a renowned institution specializing in computer chips and partnering with ASML.&ldquo;The topic of purpose was previously unknown to me as a professional term, but if I look at my journey &ndash; all the travels I did, the people I met, the companies I worked for &ndash; it all had to do with giving back to society,&rdquo; Joseph says. His passion for technology is interwoven with a sense of purpose, a desire to bridge the disparity between privileged and underprivileged communities, especially in Egypt, his homeland.<h2>Searching for purpose in the Dutch environment</h2>In 2013, Joseph joined ASML. This marked a pivotal moment in his career, as he had the opportunity to contribute to the digital revolution and make a global impact. His academic background had equipped him with knowledge, but he yearned for a more hands-on approach to create tangible change in society. &ldquo;I wanted to be more in the driver&rsquo;s seat of developing technology that is applicable today. So, I went to ASML to learn how to do that.&rdquo; Nevertheless, the constant reminder of his initial self-mission was always there: Joseph couldn&rsquo;t directly link his new role with his goal of helping the underprivileged people he had seen in Egypt when he was growing up.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1692958369521-Joseph+Z+A.webp" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">And there, Lightyear came along. &ldquo;A spark ignited in my head. In the Netherlands, electric cars are common, unlike in Egypt. Still, I realized that something needed to be done. Fossil fuels are not the future. Of course, in the Egyptian society, people have other urgent concerns, such as making a living to put food on the table. So, environmental issues are far from priorities. Furthermore, the infrastructure needed for electric cars is huge in that context. Lightyear had the complete package.&rdquo; In Joseph&rsquo;s mind, the Helmond-based company could offer something that could eventually transform a developing society like Egypt into a clean energy oasis. Joseph proudly worked as an Engineering Cluster Manager for the solar car designer until 2023.<h2>A hands-on attitude to solve the gender gap issue</h2>Growing up surrounded by strong women in his family &ndash; his mother and two elder sisters who became an engineer and a pharmacist &ndash; it was natural for Joseph to see women in technology or leadership positions. &ldquo;So, when I came to Europe and saw the unequal situation of leadership roles in technology, it didn&rsquo;t feel right. There is no reason women shouldn&rsquo;t be company leaders, engineers or scientists,&rdquo; he says. He also empathizes with women&rsquo;s struggles in the corporate world and society in general due to his Coptic upbringing. &ldquo;I can relate to their challenges navigating in a male-dominated industry because that&rsquo;s kind of how I felt as a child: navigating a society that has a different identity than my own.&rdquo; He quickly noticed his female colleagues were highly motivated, intelligent women trying to make an impact. However, he often spotted them putting in double the effort as their male counterparts but not being recognized for it.For Joseph, this imbalance is a missed opportunity and a non-sustainable situation. &ldquo;If we want to be more productive, more innovative and truly tackle the big challenges the world is facing, we cannot just rely on half the population. I won&rsquo;t even get into the moral and human perspectives, but from a mere mathematical point of view, it doesn&rsquo;t make any sense.&rdquo; He believes the current scenario reflects traditional ways of thinking unconsciously kept in society &shy;&ndash; the famed gender roles.For him, it&rsquo;s clear that changes are crucial, but where and how do we start this revolution? From Joseph&rsquo;s perspective, some principles could be helpful if widely employed: nurturing a sense of community (&ldquo;connection is important&rdquo;) and adopting an imbalanced solution for an imbalanced issue (&ldquo;It&rsquo;s like a scale. If it&rsquo;s already pending to one side, you must compensate that somehow to reach balance. Therefore, being solely gender-neutral in your hiring processes will never fill in this gap.&rdquo;) &ldquo;It&rsquo;s logical,&rdquo; he argues.<h2>The silver lining</h2>Joseph praises the work carried out by the Fe+male Tech Heroes Network. For him, supporting such an initiative is natural and obvious because &ldquo;by working towards bringing balance between females and males, you&rsquo;re creating a community and an atmosphere where everyone who doesn&rsquo;t feel they belong in the majority benefit.&rdquo;As an experienced leading figure, Joseph believes that one&rsquo;s struggles, in fact, make them better leaders. &ldquo;They make you more fit for the job. That&rsquo;s frankly how I feel about the challenges I dealt with. Without them, I wouldn&rsquo;t be the person I am today. I wouldn&rsquo;t be able to lead and help people with their own struggles, be empathetic and understanding. So, it&rsquo;s not a scar to hide but a badge of honor,&rdquo; he said.Joseph puts a positive twist on the issue by seeing difficulties as learning opportunities and, therefore, an advantage for females in tech has nothing to do with washing out the challenges. &ldquo;By working more, you will learn more, making you sharper in your judgments. You will be automatically more driven to achieve amazing things, and your career will benefit from it, as well as your family and society. Nevertheless, it remains a struggle, and we must and will support each other.&rdquo;

Inspired by Einstein’s doings, findings and life philosophy of constant curiosity, creativity and problem-solving – one of the reasons he went into physics – Joseph argues that the struggles one goes through can take a positive twist if we look at them as opportunities to learn crucial skills such as empathy.

Fe+male Tech Heroes role models 42 - Joseph Zekry: "If we want to truly tackle the big challenges the world is facing, we cannot just rely on half the population"

Energy harvesting for IoT provides a sustainable power solution, enabling self-sufficient devices that extract energy from their surrounding environment, enhancing longevity and reducing maintenance requirements

Evaluating the Feasibility of Energy Harvesting for IoT Products

This article was discussed in our <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wevolver.com/profile/the.next.byte&source=gmail&ust=1672821999265000&usg=AOvVaw3lLKdHdEN0YvCEsaHI7hx9" href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/the.next.byte" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Next Byte podcast</a>.&nbsp;<iframe height="200px" width="100%" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" seamless="" src="https://player.simplecast.com/1aed1dd4-3ea5-449f-a055-d2d735952b03?dark=false" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe> The full article will continue below.<hr>Will we soon be able to turn our homes and business premises into one big solar panel? This future is getting closer thanks to a special collaboration between TNO, Inbo Architects, Van der Leegte Werkt, Flexipol, and High Tech Campus Eindhoven. A creative solar panel system was integrated into the fa&ccedil;ade of building HTC 5 at the High Tech Campus Eindhoven. Installed around the corner of the building, this high-tech &#39;ivy&#39; consists of black and dark green 3D composite elements coated with &#39;thin film&#39; solar cells. TNO researcher and project leader Wim Soppe states, &lsquo;This project shows how we can clad various existing buildings in our landscape with visually appealing solar panels, enabling us to generate more solar energy.&rsquo;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjkwODAwNTMwNjkzLXRodW1ibmFpbF9ab25uZXN5c3RlZW0gSFRDLndlYnAiLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The system is made up of 50 triangular fa&ccedil;ade panels that together form a kind of &lsquo;ivy&rsquo;. This design is based on the clinging plant that grows up walls or fences. Its basic aim was to show the complexity of a 3D bent and curved shape. The total system has a capacity of 6.5 kilowatt peak.<h2>Cooperation</h2>The project was carried out by a consortium of several parties. TNO is the project leader and manufactured the solar panels with Van Der Leegte Werkt. INBO Architects provided the design and the composite elements were delivered by Flexipol Composites. HTCE Site Management facilitated the building and permits. The design and construction of the system took a year. Now, it will be monitored extensively for another year to measure the yield under various conditions.<h2>More surfaces for energy generation</h2>Great strides have been made to incorporate solar cells into surfaces and objects quickly, flexibly, and affordably. <a href="https://www.tno.nl/en/sustainable/renewable-electricity/solar-safety/solar-panels-windows-facades-roofs/" target="_blank">Fa&ccedil;ade modules</a> with designs chosen by the users are an attractive alternative to traditional panels on roofs. There is a total of some 2,200 square kilometres of fa&ccedil;ade area in the Netherlands, of which 660 square kilometres are suitable for generating solar energy. Altogether, a capacity of 58 gigawatt peak can be installed on fa&ccedil;ade area. To put that in perspective, in 2022 the capacity of all solar power installations in the Netherlands was 18.8 gigawatt peak. There&rsquo;s more space on fa&ccedil;ades than on roofs and they have a better yield distribution over the day. This also reduces grid congestion.<h2>Lots of variation possible</h2>Solar panels can also be produced in a variety of sizes, shapes, colours, and transparency levels. Solar systems can therefore be adapted to any fa&ccedil;ade situation. This enables organisations to present themselves with an aesthetically pleasing fa&ccedil;ade, artwork, or logo, as in the case of HTCE. This is more attractive to look at and will provoke less resistance than the sight of standard solar panels. The varied designs may reduce the yield per panel, but on the plus side, many more surfaces in the built environment are suddenly able to generate solar energy. This could significantly boost the total amount of energy generated.&nbsp;The project was made financially possible through a grant from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy and the Ministry of the Interior

Will we soon be able to turn our homes and business premises into one big solar panel? This future is getting closer thanks to a special collaboration between TNO, Inbo Architects, Van der Leegte Werkt, Flexipol, and High Tech Campus Eindhoven.

Creative ivy-shaped solar panel system against facade on the High Tech Campus Eindhoven

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