Optical Design of Dye-Sensitized Nanocrystalline Solar Cells

In nanocrystalline dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) the absorption of a large fraction of the incident solar radiation is important for achieving high efficiencies. We develop a model to include both the optical process and the electrochemical process. This model allows us to calculate the performance of the different optical designs (for example the different scattering layers and the different reflecting plane). It is found that appropriate optical designs can improve the performance of DSSCs greatly.     

Approaching Solar Maximum 24 with STEREO—Multipoint Observations of Solar Energetic Particle Events

Since the beginning of the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) mission at the end of 2006, the two spacecraft have now separated by more than 130 ^° degrees from the Earth. A 360-degree view of the Sun has been possible since February 2011, providing multipoint in situ and remote sensing observations of unprecedented quality. Combining STEREO observations with near-Earth measurements allows the study of solar energetic particle (SEP) events over a wide longitudinal range with minimal radial gradient effects. This contribution provides an overview of recent results obtained by the STEREO/IMPACT team in combination with observations by the ACE and SOHO spacecraft. We focus especially on multi-spacecraft investigations of SEP events. The large longitudinal spread of electron and ³He-rich events as well as unusual anisotropies will be presented and discussed.     

Improvement of Test of Solar Neutrino Coherent Scattering with Torsion Pendulum

A torsion pendulum containing two sapphire crystals and two lead rings is used to test Weber＇s theory of enhanced solar neutrino coherent scattering. Our experiment gives a null result for the diurnal force with a noise level of 3.8 × 10^-14 N, which is 526 times smaller than the predicted value of Weber＇s theory, and directly rules out Weber＇s theory and the experimental result. This experiment also reveals a test of the weak equivalence principle with η （Al2O3, Pb） （0.8 ± 3.1） × 10^-10 for masses falling toward the Sun.     

Propagation of Fast Magnetoacoustic Waves in Stratified Solar Atmosphere

The characteristics of magnetohydrodynamic fast wave propagation in the solar stratified atmosphere are studied by the ray tracing method. The propagation behaviour of the wavefronts is described in detail. A magnetic field incorporating the characteristics field spreading expected in flux tubes is used, which represents the main feature of an active region. Partly ionization is considered beside the stratified solar atmosphere consisting chromosphere, transition region and corona. The study may explain the characteristics in observations of Moreton and extraultraviolet image telescope （EIT） waves. The wavefront incurred by the disturbance initialized at the base of the transition region propagates fast initially due to strong magnetic field, and it slows down when arriving beyond the region of flux-tube. Meanwhile, the wave propagates in the corona with a more consistent speed, as seen in the observation of EIT waves. The speeds and propagated characteristics in chromosphere and corona of the wavefronts are in agreement with those observed in H~ Moreton and EIT waves, respectively.     

The Opacity of the Solar Spectral Lines of CII 133.5 nm

Because the intensity ratio between two spectral lines arising from the same upper level can depend on opacity, we determine the optical depth of the solar atmosphere CII emission at about 133.5 nm. By introducing the measured abundance of carbon and the results of ionization balance calculations, we estimate the line-of-sight physical thickness of the regions emitting CII lines at about 133.5 nm. This discussion will be significant in the analysis of the solar spectrum.     

Influence of Yb-Doped Nanoporous TiO2 Films on Photovoltaic Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Yb-doped TiO2 pastes with different Yb/TiO2 weight ratios are prepared in the sol-gel process to obtain dyesensitized solar cells （DSCs）. The nanocrystalline size of Yb-TiO2 becomes smaller and the lattice parameters change. Lattice distortion is observed and dark current is detected. It is found that a part of Yb existing as insulating oxide Yb2O3 state acts as barrier layers at the electrode-electrolyte interface to suppress charge recombination. A Yb-doped TiO2 electrode applied in DSCs leads to a higher open-circuit voltage and a higher fill factor. How the Yb-doped TiO2 films affect the photovoltaic response of DSCs is discussed.     

Improved Performance of Solid-State Gratzel Solar Cell by Cosensitization of Quantum Dot and Dye

We report a new cosensitization utilizing quantum dot (QD) PbS and Cis-(SCN)2Bis(2,2‘-bipyridyl-4,4‘-dicarboxylate) ruthenium (N3) dye on the nanoporous Ti02 film. Solid-state Gratzel solar cells with the cosensitized films show an improved overall efficiency by 200% relative to the cells assembled with only N3 sensitization and an extremely high open-circuit voltage of 840mV, and a fill factor of 70.5~. Back reaction characteristics of the above cells are also investigated, demonstrating a great suppression of recombination due to cosensitization. It seems that the cosensitization also facilitates the electron injection into the conduction band of TiO2.     

Mechanism of Enhanced Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Based TiO2 Films Treated by Titanium Tetrachloride

Performance of dye-sensitized solar cells can be improved by treating the nanoporous TiO2 films with titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) aqueous solution. We explore the reason why the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells is enhanced by this method. It is found that the effect of TiCl4 treatment not only reduces the films surface area and improves the electronic contact, but also enhances the binding of N719 with the TiO2 films surface.     

Current-Enhanced Quantum Well Solar Cells

We present the experimental results that demonstrate the enhancement of the short-circuit current of quantum well solar cells. The spectral response shows that the introduction of quantum wells extends the absorption spectrum of solar cells. The current densities under different truncated spectrums significantly increase, showing that quantum well solar cells are suitable to be the middle cells of GalnP/GaAs/Ge triple-junction solar cells to increase their overall conversion efficiency.     

Effect of Ultraviolet Light on Hybrid Zinc Oxide Polymer Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells

Compared to conjugated polymer poly[2-methoxy-5-（3＇ ,7＇-dimethyloctyloxy）-l,4-phenylenevinylene] （MDMO-PPV） solar cells, bulk heterojunction solar cells composed of zinc oxide （ZnO） nanocrystals and MDMO-PPV have a better energy conversion efficiency. However, ultraviolet （UV） light deteriorates the performance of solar cells composed of ZnO and MDMO-PPV. We propose a model to explain the effect of UV illumination on these ZnO：MDMO-PPV solar cells. According to this model, the degradation from UV illumination is due to a decrease of exciton dissociation efficiency. Our model is based on the experimentM results such as the measurements of current density versus voltage, photoluminescence, and photocurrent.     

Three—Dimensional Propagation of Magnetohydrodynamic Waves in the Solar Chromophere and Corona

We study the three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic(MHD) wave propagation in the solar atmosphere consisting of the chromosphere and corona.Pressure enhancement and velocity shear are implemented simultaneously at the bootom of the chromophere.The global propagation of the incurred MHD waves,including fast-mode and slow-mode magnetoacoustic waves as well as Alfven wave,can be identified,Wave front positions obtained numerically with respect to specific waves fit well with those calculated with local MHD wave speeds.     

Investigation of Mechanisms of Enhanced Open-Circuit Photovoltage of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Based the Electrolyte Containing 1-Hexyl-3-Methylimidazolium Iodide

The open-circuit photovoltage is improved by adding 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide （HMImI） into the electrolyte. To investigate the mechanisms of the increase of the open-circuit photovoltage, we take the MottSchottky analysis and time-resolved mid-infrared absorption spectroscopy to study the band edge movement of TiO2 and the rate of back electron transfer, respectively. The results indicate that the negative shift of the conduction band of TiO2 is a predominant factor to increase the open-circuit photovoltage for the electrolyte containing HMImI,     

Analysis of the Opacity of Magnesium XII 0.842 nm Doublet in the Solar Coronal X-ray Spectrum

Using the observed intensity ratio of the magnesium XII 0.842 nm doublet in the solar coronal X-ray spectrum, we investigate the opacity of the (1/2–3/2) component of the magnesium XII doublet. The escape factor and the opacity of the (1/2–3/2) component of the magnesium XII 0.842 nm doublet are discussed. Results show that the opacity has great effect on the (1/2–3/2) component of the magnesium XII 0.842 nm doublet. While using the abundance of magnesium and the results of ionization balance, we calculate the variation of electron density as a function of observed intensity ratio.     

Influence of Particle Coordination Number in Nanoporous TiO2 Films on the Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Modules

The average particle coordination number, one of the characters concerning the pore size distribution in the films,was introduced in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) modules with the size of 15cm ~ 20cm and the active area of187.2cm^2 to estimate the performance of a Ti02 nanoporous film, which is critical to the future DSC production.The current-voltage measurement of the DSC modules indicates that the average particle coordination number in the range of 4-5 typically appears in nanocrystalline Ti02 films used in the DSC modules and that the average coordination number could provide a very valuable way to evaluate the performance of nanoporous Ti02 films.     

Construction of a Quadratic Model for Predicted and Measured Global Solar Radiation in Chile

Global solar radiation data for sites in Chile are analysed and presented in a form suitable for their use in engineering. A new model for monthly average data is developed to predict monthly average global radiation with acceptable accuracy by using actinographic data due to scarcing of pyranometer data. Use of the new quadratic model is proposed because of its relatively wider spectrum of values for Angstrom coefficients ao, al, and a2.     

Effect of Opacity on the Solar Spectral Line of C I 165.7 nm by Escape Factor Treatment

In this article, we report that by using the intensity ratio of the (2-2) to (1-2) component of CI emission lines at about 165.7 nm, we determined the optical depth at the line center of the (2-2) component of CI emission lines by escape factor treatment. The optical depth at the line center of the (2-2) component is calculated to be 0.9998, which is a more reasonable value of solar spectral lines than the value that has been reported. The variation of the optical depth at the line center for different positions from the solar limb is discussed. Using the measured abundance of carbon and the results of ionization balance calculations, we estimate the electron density in the CI emitting region. The density of hydrogen is estimated in the CI emitting region by this method, and is testified to be a better value than the value that has been reported. This discussion will be significant in the analysis of opacity on the solar ultraviolet (UV) or extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) spectrum.     

Effect of Poly（Ether Urethane） Introduction on the Performance of Polymer Electrolyte for All-Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

The introduction of poly（ether urethane） （PEUR） into polymer electrolyte based on poly（ethylene oxide）, LiI and I2, has significantly increased the ionic conductivity by nearly two orders of magnitudes. An increment of I3- diffusion coefficient is also observed. All-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells are constructed using the polymer electrolytes. It was found that PEUR incorporation has a beneficial effect on the enhancement of open circuit voltage VOC by shifting the band edge of TiO2 to a negative value. Scanning
electron microscope images indicate the perfect interfacial contact between the TiO2 electrode and the blend electrolyte.     

The Correlation Between the Deviation of Sun’s Shadows and the Mean Solar Magnectic Field

Using the data of the Sun's shadows for the 10 TeV cosmic ray flux, which are obtained in the period of June 1990-August 1996 by the Tibet air shower array, the correlation betWeen the deviahons of Sun's shadows and the strength of the mean solar magnectic field at the same period has been studied. One simple model used to calculate and explain this relations is also presented.     

Explanation of Effect of Added Water on Dye-Sensitized Nanocrystalline TiO2 Solar Cell： Correlation between Performance and Carrier Relaxation Kinetics

Time-resolved mid-IR transient absorption spectroscopy is employed to explore the mechanism of improving the performance of dye-sensitized TiO2 solar cell （DSSC） when a certain amount of H2 0 is added into the electrolyte. The relaxation kinetics of dye-sensitized TiO2 nanocrystalline film and the corresponding DSSC performance are investigated under different conditions. It is found that the interracial charge recombination is retarded and electron injection efficiency is increased in the water vapour and in the electrolyte when D20 is added. The values of open-circuit photovoltage Voc and the short-circuit photocarrent Jsc of the cells are linearly correlated to the product of the two decay time constants. We also observed that Voc well correlates with electron injection efficiency. It provides a preliminary microscopic account for the function of the added water in improving the performance of DSSCs.