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SCIENCE HIGHLIGHT
A Wiki for Perovskite Solar Cell Research An international team of experts has collected data on metal halide perovskite solar cells from more than 15,000 publications and developed a database with analysis tools. The database provides an overview of the rapidly growing knowledge.
The world record cell (here in front of the electron storage ring BESSY II) has an area of about one square centimetre, a typical lab size.
NEWS
World record again at HZB: Almost 30 % efficiency for next-generation tandem... Three HZB teams have jointly managed to increase the efficiency of perovskite silicon tandem solar cells fabricated completely at HZB to a new record value of 29.80 %. The value has now been officially certified.
NEWS
Germany on the road to net zero: a new Web Atlas shows the options The new tool is aimed at politicians, experts and the public. The HZB has also contributed to the web atlas.
Finely ground powders can also react with each other without solvents to form the desired product. This is the approach of mechanochemistry.
SCIENCE HIGHLIGHT
"Green" chemistry: BESSY II sheds light on mechanochemical synthesis A team led by the Federal Institute for Materials Research (BAM) has now developed a method at BESSY II to observe processes in mechanochemistry in situ with X-ray scattering.
NEWS
Live broadcast at HZB - now as podcast! RadioEins broadcast at BESSY II on Saturday 13th November in the morning
HZB is the first non-university research institution to be awarded the " Vielfalt gestalten " ("Shaping Diversity") certificate by the Stifterverband.(from left to right: Volker Meyer-Guckel, Deputy Secretary General of the Stifterverband, Jennifer Schevardo, HZB Project Manager Diversity Audit, Jan Lüning, scientific director at HZB).
NEWS
Stifterverband certifies Helmholtz Centre Berlin for strategies in dealing with... The Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) is the first non-university research institution to have undergone the Stifterverband's diversity audit "Vielfalt gestalten".
Olga Kasian has accepted a professorship at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU).
NEWS
Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg appoints Olga Kasian he W2 professorship is entitled "Materials for Electrochemical Energy Conversion" and is located at the Faculty of Engineering.
Five different types of defects in MAPI-perovskites were examined and characterised. The result: a large proportion of defects is not trapping the charge carriers for long.
SCIENCE HIGHLIGHT
Perovskite solar cells: Defects trap charge carriers - and release them again An international team at HZB and Charles University Prague has investigated how charge carriers in so called MAPI-perovskite semiconductors interact with different defects. Their results help to improve perovskite solar cells.
NEWS
BR50: How Berlin could be developed into a world-leading science metropolis In a position paper, the non-university institutions in the capital that are united in Berlin Research 50 formulate 10 demands the strengthen Berlin as a science metropolis.
Opened! Bernd Rech (l.) and Christian Rickerts (r.) pressed the symbolic red button to start the Real Lab in Adlershof on 6 September.
NEWS
HZB uses electricity-producing facade wall as real laboratory In the presence of the State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Energy and Operations of the State of Berlin, Christian Rickerts, the HZB officially commissioned the solar façade of a new research building on 6 September 2021. What makes it so special is ...
The SAM layer between the perovskite semiconductor and the ITO contact consists of a single layer of organic molecules. The mechanisms by which this SAM layer reduces losses can be quantified by measuring the surface photovoltage and photoluminescence.
SCIENCE HIGHLIGHT
Perovskite solar cells: Interfacial loss mechanisms revealed Metal-organic perovskite materials promise low-cost and high-performance solar cells. Now a group at HZB managed to de-couple the different effects of self-assembled monolayers of organic molecules (SAMs) that reduce losses at the interfaces.
The VSANS instrument (here in the neutron hall at BER II) will move to Penn State University.
NEWS
Neutron instrument VSANS will move to Penn State University, USA To ensure that the high-quality instruments can continue to be used for research, they are moving to suitable neutron sources in Germany and abroad. Now, another move has been agreed upon.
SCIENCE HIGHLIGHT
Green hydrogen: Why do certain catalysts improve in operation? Now a HZB-team headed by Marcel Risch has observed at BESSY II how two simultaneous mechanisms are responsible for this. The catalytic activity of the individual catalysis centres decreases, but the morphology of the catalyst layer also changes.
In polar regions and at high altitudes the conversion of solar radiation into hydrogen could certainly be worthwhile.
SCIENCE HIGHLIGHT
Solar hydrogen for Antarctica - study shows advantages of thermally coupled... A team from the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, Ulm University, and Heidelberg University has now investigated how hydrogen can be produced at the South Pole using sunlight, and which method is the most promising.
VIPERLAB is funded under the European Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020 (Grant No 101006715).
NEWS
VIPERLAB: EU project aims to boost perovskite solar industry in Europe HZB is coordinating a major European collaborative project to open up new opportunities for the European solar industry. The VIPERLAB project involves 15 renowned research institutions from Europe, as well as Switzerland and Great Britain.
Using Small-Angle Scattering the early stages of structure formation in precursor solutions of perovskite solar cells have been explored.
SCIENCE HIGHLIGHT
Perovskite Solar Cells: Insights into early stages of structure formation Using small-angle scattering at the PTB X-ray beamline of BESSY II, an HZB team was able to experimentally investigate the colloidal chemistry of perovskite precursor solutions used for solar cell production.
CIGS PV modules are integrated into the façade of the HZB testing hall in Berlin-Adlershof. A team analyses the yield and development of the modules under real conditions.
NEWS
Berlin Energy Days: Integrated photovoltaics - active areas for the energy... On Wednesday, 28 April 2021, experts from the HZB advisory office BAIP and other research institutions will present these options.
The HZB team was able to determine the photoconductivity in the thin layers of rust using time-resolved microwave measurements; here is a picture of the measurement setup.
SCIENCE HIGHLIGHT
Green hydrogen: "Rust" as a photoanode and its limits Metal oxides such as rust are intriguing photoelectrode materials for the production of green hydrogen with sunlight. They are cheap and abundant, but in spite of decades of research, progress has been limited. Why? This study finds out.
A conductive AFM tip is used to scan the sample surface of an a-Si:H/c-Si interface under ultra-high vacuum on the nm scale, revealing the transport channels of the charge carriers via defects in the a-Si:H (red states in the magnified section).
SCIENCE HIGHLIGHT
Solar cells: Losses made visible on the nanoscale Now, for the first time, a team at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) and the University of Utah, USA, has experimentally shown how such contact layers generate loss currents on the nanometre scale and what their physical origin is.
The new audit logo for long-time certified companies
NEWS
HZB re-certified as a compatibility-friendly company again Not only since the Corona pandemic, HZB has supported its employees in balancing professional and private tasks. Now, HZB has been awarded again: the certificate of the audit berufundfamilie has been confirmed for another three years.
NEWS
The HZB Graduate Center is here now The HZB "DR coordination” is now the HZB Graduate Center. Since the beginning of 2018, the DR coordination has been continuously expanding the offers and standards at the HZB for doctoral researchers and their advisors. The ideas and suggestions that ...
TEM-Image of a α-SnWO4 film (pink) coated with 20 nm NiOx (green). At the interface of α-SnWO4 and NiOx an additional interfacial layer can be observed.
SCIENCE HIGHLIGHT
Solar hydrogen: Photoanodes made of α-SnWO4 promise high efficiencies Combined with theoretical methods, the measurement data reveal the presence of an oxide layer that impairs the efficiency of the photoanode.
Part of the IRIS research labs will be equipped for research on catalysts. Photo
NEWS
HZB and Humboldt University agree to set up a catalysis laboratory The IRIS research building offers optimal conditions for the research and development of complex material systems.
The illustration visualizes the composition of the tandem solar cell.
SCIENCE HIGHLIGHT
Perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells on the threshold of 30% efficiency The tandem cell provided stable performance for 300 hours – even without encapsulation. To accomplish this, the group headed by Prof. Steve Albrecht investigated physical processes at the interfaces to improve the transport of the charge carriers.
1st Place: h4a Gessert + Randecker Architekten
NEWS
Architectural Design drafts for new CatLab Center awarded CatLab is to become an international beacon for the development of novel catalyst materials and green hydrogen. After an architectural competition four winning designs have now been selected, all sustainable and climate friendly.
Schematic illustration: the solvants (ink) are used to produce a thin film of polycrystalline perovskite.
SCIENCE HIGHLIGHT
Perovskite Solar Cells: paving the way for rational ink design for... For the production of perovskite thin-films for large photovoltaic modules often inks are used which contain a mixture of solvents. An HZB team at BESSY II has now analysed how the crystallisation processes within such mixtures.
The distribution of local pH change (ΔpH) with time in an electrolyte containing 0.5 M K2SO4.
SCIENCE HIGHLIGHT
Green hydrogen: buoyancy-driven convection in the electrolyte A team at HZB has now presented a method to visualise convection in the electrolyte and to reliably simulate it in advance with a multiphysics model. The results can support the design and scaling up of this technology.
Nine samples with mixtures from CsPbBr2I (ink 1, left) to pure CsPbI3 (ink 2 right).
SCIENCE HIGHLIGHT
Solar cells: Mapping the landscape of Caesium based inorganic halide perovskites The study provides a quick and easy method to assess new compositions of perovskite materials in order to identify candidates for applications in thin film solar cells and optoelectronic devices.
This is how the extension hall will look after the scaffolding has been removed. The blue modules enclose the building like a bracket.
NEWS
Solar-cell façade at HZB undergoes real-life testing The solar cladding not only meets part of the power requirement, but is also a realistic laboratory in and of itself: an HZB team is monitoring the long-term behaviour of the modules under varying environmental conditions.
"I am convinced that we must act on climate change to prevent dramatic developments," says Bernd Rech. The technologies are available, and research is already working on further options. You can start the video by clicking the picture.
NEWS
Climate Strike on Friday: HZB-Direktor welcomes engagement for climate... "I find it remarkable and encouraging that more and more citizens are joining the protests of the younger generation and calling for a turnaround for climate protection," says Prof. Bernd Rech, Scientific Director of the HZB.
NEWS
HZB is member of the IGAFA initiative in Adlershof Since September 2020, the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin is again a member of IGAFA - the Initiative of Non-University Research Institutions in Adlershof.
Dr. Tristat Petit receives the ERC Starting Grant from the European Research Council for his research on a new class of materials for the storage of electrical energy, the so-called MXenes.
NEWS
New Materials for Energy Storage: ERC Starting Grant for Tristan Petit ERC Starting Grant for Tristan Petit. At BESSY II, the materials researcher is using this grant to investigate a new class of materials for storing electrical energy, the so-called MXenes.
Integrated PV-EC device during performance tests in the outdoor test bed for realistic operating condition.
NEWS
Best electrolyser/photovoltaics combinations demonstrated in test fields One of the most promising ways to increase the availability of solar energy is to convert excess production into hydrogen. The PECSYS project has investigated the best possible material and technology combinations to facilitate such an operation.
Grosspeter Tower, Basel 2016
NACHRICHT
Seminar für Architekt*innen Bauwerkintegrierte Photovoltaik: Architektur –... Im September veranstaltet die Beratungsstelle für BIPV „BAIP“ zusammen mit der Architektenkammer Niedersachsen ein Seminar für Architekt*innen zum Thema Bauwerkintegrierte Photovoltaik: Architektur-Gestaltung und Ausführung
NEWS
Facts, Research, Expertise: Helmholtz Climate Initiative starts new website New website of the Helmholtz Climate Initiative - www.helmholtz-klima.de
The new CatLab (blue area) will be built in close proximity to BESSY II and other laboratories.
NEWS
Launch of new catalysis centre in HZB-Adlershof The HZB is launching a major new project with an interdisciplinary architectural competition: An innovative laboratory and office building for catalysis research, in which the cooperation between HZB and the Max-Planck-Society is to be expanded.
NEWS
They are back: Sheep and goats graze the Wannsee campus again Now is the perfect time for the sheep and goats to return from their winter quarters! Until late autumn, they will now graze the near-natural HZB campus in Wannsee and serve the natural preservation of the landscape.
NEWS
New charging points for electric cars installed in Adlershof On 14 May 2020, two charging points for electric cars were installed near the BESSY II main building. Soon, employees will also have the opportunity to charge their private cars at one of the charging points.
The illustration shows the changes in the structure of FASnI3:PEACl films during treatment at different temperatures.
SCIENCE HIGHLIGHT
On the road to non-toxic and stable perovskite solar cells To replace lead by less toxic elements is not easy since lead-free perovskites show lower stability and poor efficiencies. Now, an international collaboration has engineered a new hybrid perovskite material with promising efficiency and stability.
The CIGS-Pero tandem cell was realised in a typical lab size of 1 square centimeter.
SCIENCE HIGHLIGHT
Tandem solar cell world record: New branch in the NREL chart The world-record cell combines the semiconductors perovskite and CIGS to a monolithic "two-terminal" tandem cell. It achieves a certified efficiency of 24,16 percent.
NEWS
HZB donates urgently needed protective equipment for doctors’ surgery The HZB donates 65 boxes filled with protective equipment for medical practices to the Kassenärztliche Vereinigung.
MXenes are 2D materials forming multi-layered particles (left) from which pseudocapacitors are made. Shining X-ray light on MXenes revealed changes of their chemical structure upon intercalation of urea molecules (right) compared to pristine MXenes (center).
SCIENCE HIGHLIGHT
Fast and furious: New class of 2D materials stores electrical energy Two dimensional titanium carbides, so-called MXenes, are being discussed as candidates for the rapid storage of electrical energy. The intercalation of urea between the MXene layers can increase the capacity.
NACHRICHT
Berlins außeruniversitäre Forschungseinrichtungen schließen sich zusammen Berlins außeruniversitäre Forschungseinrichtungen schließen sich zur BR 50 (Berlin Research 50) zusammen. Sie wollen künftig gemeinsam Strategien für die Forschung und den Austausch mit Politik und Gesellschaft zu entwickeln.
NEWS
Unique X-ray experiments for school classes: The X-ray mobile will arrive at... From 5 to 13 March 2020, pupils can conduct experiments on X-rays and radiation at the HZB's school laboratory in Berlin-Adlershof. The public is invited to attend on 12 March.
Mint plants have been analysed after having grown on contaminated soil samples.
SCIENCE HIGHLIGHT
Plants absorb lead from perovskite solar cells more than expected Lead from metal-organic perovskite compounds can be absorbed particularly easily by plants. The bioavailability is significantly higher than that of lead from inorganic compounds as found in batteries.
NEWS
HZB is now using green electricity Since 1 January 2020, HZB is drawing 100 per cent of its electricity from renewable energies. This reduces CO2 emissions by around 17,400 tons per year.