The researchers grew billions of tiny rods (nanorods) made from zinc oxide, then covered them with an active polymer to form a device that converts sunlight into electricity.
Playing pop and rock music improves the perfomance of solar cells, according to new research from scientists at Queen Mary University of London and Imperial College London.
The high frequencies and pitch found in pop and rock music cause vibrations that enhanced energy generation in solar cells containing a cluster of ‘nanorods’, leading to a 40 per cent increase in efficiency of the solar cells.
The study has implications for improving energy generation from sunlight, particularly for the development of new, lower cost, printed solar cells.
Using the special properties of the zinc oxide material, the team was able to show that sound levels as low as 75 decibels (equivalent to a typical roadside noise or a printer in an office) could significantly improve the solar cell performance.
“After investigating systems for converting vibrations into electricity this is a really exciting development that shows a similar set of physical properties can also enhance the performance of a photovoltaic,” said Dr Steve Dunn, Reader in Nanoscale Materials from Queen Mary’s School of Engineering and Materials Science and co-author of the paper.
Scientists had previously shown that applying pressure or strain to zinc oxide materials could result in voltage outputs, known as the piezoelectric effect. However, the effect of these piezoelectric voltages on solar cell efficiency had not received significant attention before.
“We thought the soundwaves, which produce random fluctuations, would cancel each other out and so didn’t expect to see any significant overall effect on the power output,” said James Durrant, Professor of Photochemistry at Imperial College London, who co-led the study.
“We tried playing music instead of dull flat sounds, as this helped us explore the effect of different pitches. The biggest difference we found was when we played pop music rather than classical, which we now realise is because our acoustic solar cells respond best to the higher pitched sounds present in pop music,” he concluded.
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Acoustic solar cells
- Key Solar Panel Ingredient Is Made in the U.S.A. Again
By Ivan Penn Reporting from Moses Lake, Wash. A factory in Moses Lake, Wash., that shut down in 2019 will soon resume shipping a critical ingredient used in most solar panels that for years has been ...
- First silicon solar cell celebrates 70th birthday
US researchers presented the first prototype of a usable solar module. The efficiency at that time was around 6%. A lot has happened since then.
- Dhruva Space gets ₹14 crore funding from DST’s tech development board
Hyderabad-based Dhruva Space receives ₹14 crore for innovative space-grade solar array fabrication and testing facility.
- Dhruva Space's aligns with TDB's mission to promote innovation in space engineering- Secretary, TDB
TDB has sanctioned financial assistance for this space startup, demonstrating its confidence in the project's potential to drive technological advancements in the space industry.
- Ceramic Transducers Market Soars: Anticipated to Reach US$ 4,149.2 Million by 2033 with a 9.2% CAGR
The Ceramic Transducers Market report, unveiled by Future Market Insights—an ESOMAR Certified Market Research and Consulting Firm—presents invaluable insights and meticulous analysis of the Ceramic ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Acoustic solar cells
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Acoustic solar cells” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Solar cells
- Going Green: Sales of solar panels is going through the roof
I know a lot of people have solar panels on their houses but are they worth it and how much does solar power contribute to the UK energy supply?
- How Many Solar Panels Does It Take To Power An RV/Motorhome?
Solar power for RVs is taking off, so if you're looking to add some solar panels to your vehicle, it can take some math to figure out exactly what you need.
- Solar panel plant coming to eastern North Carolina with 900 jobs
A Vietnamese-based company will build its first North American solar panel manufacturing plant in eastern North Carolina, creating over 900 jobs.
- 4,000 solar panels will help fuel innovation at Rockford aerospace facility
Eric Cunningham of Collins Aerospace says the company plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 1,500 metric tons in the coming year..
- Boviet Solar to start 2-GW solar panel factory in North Carolina
Boviet Solar has officially announced its plans to start a solar panel manufacturing facility in Greenville, North Carolina. The move has been referenced ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Solar cells
[google_news title=”” keyword=”solar cells” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]