Newly developed native perovskite solar cells have demonstrated the ability to convert 36.1% of hot light into electricity, according to the press service of NUST MISIS. This performance marks a notable milestone in photovoltaic research and signals a potential shift in how solar energy devices are designed and deployed.
Traditional solar cells rely on silicon, a well-established solid semiconductor. Over recent decades, engineers have advanced perovskite solar cells, which take the form of thin films made from a crystal structure known as perovskite. While perovskite materials include compounds such as calcium titanate, the enthusiasts of this technology emphasize that these films can be produced more cheaply, offer greater mechanical flexibility, and deliver high efficiency under certain lighting conditions compared with conventional silicon cells.
NUST MISIS reports the creation of an industrially viable perovskite photocell with a content of bromine that makes it about two and a half times more efficient than silicon in the tested configuration. The record-setting efficiency of 36.1% is achieved under warm lighting conditions, yet the device maintains strong performance across a range of color temperatures. This robustness matters not only for indoor illumination scenarios but also for solar exposure when sunlight comes from different angles and at different times of day.
Experts describe the bromine-rich perovskite as highly effective at translating light from various color temperatures into electricity under warm lighting conditions, which in this case corresponds to a color temperature near 1700 Kelvin. The researchers explain that bromine shifts the absorption edge toward higher-energy photons, enabling efficient energy conversion across a broader portion of the spectrum. This insight helps clarify why the material performs so well under diverse lighting environments and supports ongoing optimization for real-world use.
Potential applications extend beyond traditional power generation. The team suggests that such perovskite cells could power miniature sensors in low-light environments, including interiors where illumination is limited. This capability points to interesting possibilities for integrated systems in smart devices, robotics, and IoT networks, where compact, efficient energy sources are highly valuable.
In related developments, the broader field of neural and brain research continues to explore new frontiers, with recent work shedding light on activity patterns in different biological states. While separate from photovoltaic advances, these findings reflect the ongoing scientific effort to harness and understand energy and signaling across systems, underscoring a common theme: progress often emerges from interdisciplinary exploration and cross-cutting innovations.