• Energy Research
• nano-technology close
• 7. Clean energy close

Mixed hydroxide materials with a large specific charge capacity (417 C g−1) and charge retention capacity (86%) even after 5000 galvanostatic charge–discharge processes at 25 A g−1, promising as electrode materials of energy storage devices such as hybrid batteries, are realized by isomorphic substitution of Ni(II) by Mn(II) ions in the turbostratic alpha‐nickel hydroxide lattice, generating for the first time double hydroxide salt types (Ni‐95 and Ni‐75) instead of layered double hydroxide type materials, significantly enhancing the electrochemical properties and stability of nickel hydroxide nanoparticles (Ni‐100). The presence of Mn(II) ions in the alpha‐Ni(OH)2 structure is confirmed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X‐ray diffractometry (XRD) of the mixed nickel–manganese hydroxide materials.

Abstract On December 1998, the Endeavour space shuttle launched the Argentine satellite SAC-A. Among several technological experiments, this satellite included a set of crystalline silicon solar cells fabricated in Argentina to test them in the space environment. In this paper, we describe the experiments associated with these solar cells and analyse the corresponding telemetry data received from January to July 1999. Fabrication and characterisation of modules are presented. Some preliminary radiation damage experiments using 10 MeV protons supplied by a cyclotron accelerator were also performed.

Carbon capture and utilization (CCU) is a field of key emerging technologies. CCU can support the economy to decrease the dependency on fossil carbon raw materials, to stabilize electricity grids and markets with respect to a growing share of fluctuating renewable energy. Furthermore, it can contribute to mitigate anthropogenic CO2 emissions. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research has provided substantial financial support for research and development projects, stimulating research, development, and innovations in the field of CO2 utilization. This review provides an overview over the most relevant funding measures in this field. Examples of successful projects demonstrate that CCU technologies are already economically viable or technologically ready for industrial application. CCU technologies as elements of a future "green economy" can contribute to reach the ambitious German sustainability targets with regard to climate protection as well as raw material productivity.

Experimental research of photocatalytical oxidation (PCO) of aqueous solutions of de‐icing agents (ethylene glycol and ethylene glycol monoethyl ether) and methyl tert‐butyl ether (MTBE) was undertaken. These chemicals are water‐soluble components of jet and motor fuels accidentally disposed to the environment. Titanium dioxide (Degussa P25) under near‐UV irradiation was selected as a photocatalyst. A slightly acidic medium was preferable for the process efficiency for MTBE, whereas a neutral medium was beneficial for de‐icing agents and jet fuel aqueous extracts. TiO2 suspension fractional composition was found to be dependent on pH and the presence of organic admixtures: the minimum size of TiO2 particles at their maximum uniformity was established in an acidic medium, where the efficiency of PCO of de‐icing agents was the poorest. On the other hand, neutral and slightly acidic media, beneficial for PCO efficiency, were favourable for particle agglomeration, which indicates a minimal role for photocatalyst particle size in PCO efficiency. PCO efficiency increased with increasing MTBE and icing inhibitor concentration. The biodegradability of aqueous solutions of oxygenated additives increased as PCO proceeded. The influence of mineral additives—sulphate, calcium, ferric and manganese ions—on the process efficiency was found to be complex. Special attention was paid to energy‐saving PCO with a photocatalyst attached to buoyant glass micro‐spheres and reduced intensity of stirring of the slurry.

Energy harvesting is a useful technique for various kinds of self-powered electronic devices and systems as well as Internet of Things technology. This study presents a two-degrees-of-freedom (2DOF) electromagnetic energy harvester that can use environment vibration and provide energy for small electronic devices. The proposed harvester consists of a cylindrical tube with two moving magnets suspended by a magnetic spring mechanism and a stationary coil. In order to verify the theoretical model, a prototype electromagnetic harvester was constructed and tested. The influence of key parameters, including excitation acceleration, response to a harmonic frequency sweep, and electromechanical coupling on the generated characteristics of the harvester, was investigated. The experimental and theoretical results showed that the proposed electromagnetic energy harvester was able to increase the resonance bandwidth (60–1200 rad/s) and output power (0.2 W). However, due to strong nonlinearity, an unstable region occurred near the main first resonance, which resulted from the Neimark–Sacker bifurcation.

For the first time, we here propose a green methodology to modify a low bandgap polymer for highly efficient solar cells using atmospheric pressure plasma jet or soft plasma operating on different feeding gases (air, Ar and N2). The physical properties of the modified polymer were investigated using conductivity measurements, UV-visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, cyclic voltammograms, atomic force microscopy, cathodoluminescence and confocal Raman spectroscopy. Further, we examined the variation of the work function of the polymer before and after plasma treatment using a γ-focused ion beam. Additionally, photovoltaic cells based on the plasma-modified polymer having ITO/PEDOT:PSS/PHVTT (with or without plasma modification):PC71BM/LiF/Al configuration were fabricated and then characterized. We found that the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the plasma-modified polymer increased dramatically as compared to the control polymer (without plasma treatment). PCE of the control polymer was found to be 4.11%, while after air, Ar and N2 gas plasma treatment the polymer showed PCEs of 4.85%, 4.87% and 5.14% respectively. Thus, plasma treatment not only alters the surface properties, but also modifies the bulk properties (changes in HOMO and LUMO bandgap level). Hence, this work provides new dimensions to explore more about plasma and polymer chemistry.

Abstract The residual biomass of Cupriavidus necator , a biopolyester-producing bacterium, was liquefied in subcritical water at 300 °C. The hydrophobic organic compounds, accounting for about 45% carbon of the original biomass, were recovered with methylene dichloride for analysis. The organic compounds included hydrocarbons such as long chain alkane and benzene, and nitrogen-containing heterocycles such as pyrroles and indoles. The liquid had the similar elemental composition (C, H, O, N) and high heating value (34 MJ kg −1 HHV) of the bio-oils derived from microalgae biomass.

In order to reliably simulate the energy yield of photovoltaic (PV) systems, it is necessary to have an accurate model of how the PV modules perform with respect to irradiance and cell temperature. Building on previous work that addresses the irradiance dependence, two approaches to fit the temperature dependence of module power in PVsyst have been developed and are applied here to recent multi-irradiance and -temperature data for a standard Yingli Solar PV module type. The results demonstrate that it is possible to match the measured irradiance and temperature dependence of PV modules in PVsyst. As a result, improvements in energy yield prediction using the optimized models relative to the PVsyst standard model are considered significant for decisions about project financing.