In the real solar tower thermal power system, it is widely acknowledged that the thermodynamic irreversibility, such as convective and radiative loss on tower receiver, and thermal resistance in heat exchangers, is unavoidable. With above factors in mind, this paper presents an ideal model of the solar tower thermal power system to analyze the influence of various parameters on thermal and exer...

A highly efficient, continuous wave 172nm Xenon excimer lamp scalable in power, size and geometry is reported. Data from a prototype device based on multiple corona discharges, operating in dense Xenon gas, confirmed the concept. Results imply that large lamps with uniform VUV-light output exceeding 100mW/cm and wall plug electrical power to VUV light conversion efficiencies approaching 50% can...

CdSe quantum dots were in situ deposited on various structures of TiO2 photoanode by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR). Various sensitized TiO2 structures were integrated as a photoanode in order to make quantum dot sensitized solar cells. High power conversion efficiency was obtained; 2.89 % (Voc=524 mV, Jsc=9.78 mA/cm2, FF=0.56) for the cells that sensitized by SILAR meth...

We introduce an ultrathin donor-acceptor solar cell composed entirely of inorganic nanocrystals spin-cast from solution. These devices are stable in air, and post-fabrication processing allows for power conversion efficiencies approaching 3% in initial tests. This demonstration elucidates a class of photovoltaic devices with potential for stable, low-cost power generation.

Cyclometalated ruthenium sensitizers have been synthesized that differ with number of thiophene units on the auxiliary ligands. Sensitizers possessing four (SA25, SA246, and SA285) or none (SA282) sulfur atoms in their structures, were tested in solar cell devices employing I3-/I- redox mediator, enabling an estimation of the influence of sulfur-iodine/iodide interactions on dye-sensitized sola...

Arrays of III-V direct-bandgap semiconductor nanopillars represent promising photovoltaic candidates due to their inherent high optical absorption coefficients and minimized reflection arising from light trapping, efficient charge collection in the radial direction and the ability to synthesize them on low-cost platforms. However, the increased surface area results in surface states that hamper...

Fuel flexibility is a significant advantage of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and can be attributed to their high operating temperature. The eligibility of a combined heat and power (CHP) system has been investigated as a new power generation methode, in this study. Natural gas fueled SOFC power systems via methane steam reforming (MSR) yield electrical conversion efficiencies exceeding 50% and...