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In the latest installment in our Exponential, Convergent Material Science Innovation Series, we continue to pull the string provided to us by OODA Loop contributor Scott Nuzum (SVP at Chicago-based Innovyz USA) – in his 2023 OODA Loop post Five Exciting Breakthroughs in Materials Science. This time, we hone in on one of the five breakthroughs contextualized by Scott – Perovskite, “the versatile material with use cases that extend to sectors such as solar power, LED technology, lasers, and quantum computing, creating a ripple effect of innovation.”
Contents of this Post:
Perovskite materials represent a fascinating and rapidly developing area of materials science with the potential to revolutionize various technological fields.
Perovskite is a natural mineral consisting of oxides of calcium and titanium, and it is also used to describe a series of materials with the same crystal structure. These materials have special electrical and optical properties and are used in perovskite solar cells to convert solar energy into electricity. (Source: AI-generated definition based on the Journal of Cleaner Production, 2021 by way of Science Direct). The term “perovskite” originally comes from the mineral calcium titanate (CaTiO3), which was first discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia and named after the Russian mineralogist Lev Perovski.
Perovskite solar cell (PSC) showed the progress in achieving power conversion efficiency from 0 to beyond 20% in recent years. Perovskite use in solar cell technology can help in the efficient use of solar energy. The third generation of photovoltaic (PV) cells has come up with the technologies like dye-sensitized solar cells, PSCs, organic PV, and quantum dot PVs. Perovskite application in solar cells can help in improving efficiency, flexibility, and cost-cutting.
Concerns like instability, lead toxicity, and scale-up are still under development. Newer technologies to solve the problem of satisfying the flying demands of energy production created thriving ideas of devices and material development, consequently increasing patent filing activities. This chapter maps the progress of this technology through publications and patent analysis so far. This chapter provides an overview of patenting activity from a historical, organizational, geographical, and technological point of view. This exercise is instrumental for private as well as public stakeholders aiming at both internal and external technology creations. It will provide the knowledge about the leading public and private players in prolific countries and their technology focus. This paper also discusses in detail the issue of scaling up the PSC.
For the full Chapter on which this abstract is based, go to Chapter 13 – Perovskite Photovoltaics – Basic to Advanced Concepts and Implementation
Researchers unveiled an innovative method to manufacture perovskite cells — an achievement critical for the commercialization of what many consider the next generation of solar technology.
Image Source: University of Colorado Boulder
The solar energy world is ready for a revolution. Scientists are racing to develop a new type of solar cell using materials that can convert electricity more efficiently than today’s panels.
In a paper published in the journal Nature Energy, a CU Boulder researcher and his international collaborators unveiled an innovative method to manufacture the new solar cells, known as perovskite cells, an achievement critical for the commercialization of what many consider the next generation of solar technology. Today, nearly all solar panels are made from silicon, which boast an efficiency of 22 percent. This means silicon panels can only convert about one-fifth of the sun’s energy into electricity, because the material absorbs only a limited proportion of sunlight’s wavelengths. Producing silicon is also expensive and energy-intensive.
Enter perovskite. The synthetic semiconducting material has the potential to convert substantially more solar power than silicon at a lower production cost. “Perovskites might be a game changer,” said Michael McGehee, Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Fellow with CU Boulder’s Renewable & Sustainable Energy Institute.
The world’s best solar power schemes now offer the “cheapest…electricity in history” with the technology cheaper than coal and gas in most major countries.
according to the International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook 2020. The 464-page outlook, published today by the IEA, also outlines the “extraordinarily turbulent” impact of coronavirus and the “highly uncertain” future of global energy use over the next two decades. Reflecting this uncertainty, this year’s version of the highly influential annual outlook offers four “pathways” to 2040, all of which see a major rise in renewables. The IEA’s main scenario has 43% more solar output by 2040 than it expected in 2018, partly due to detailed new analysis showing that solar power is 20-50% cheaper than thought. Despite a more rapid rise for renewables and a “structural” decline for coal, the IEA says it is too soon to declare a peak in global oil use, unless there is stronger climate action. Similarly, it says demand for gas could rise 30% by 2040, unless the policy response to global warming steps up.
This means that, while global CO2 emissions have effectively peaked, they are “far from the immediate peak and decline” needed to stabilise the climate. The IEA says achieving net-zero emissions will require “unprecedented” efforts from every part of the global economy, not just the power sector. For the first time, the IEA includes detailed modeling of a 1.5C pathway that reaches global net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. It says individual behaviour change, such as working from home “three days a week”, would play an “essential” role in reaching this new “net-zero emissions by 2050 case” (NZE2050).
Here’s how scientists are peeking into the future of new materials.
The perspective of Casey Crownhart, a writer at The Spark, MIT Technology Review’s weekly climate newsletter:
It must be tough to be a solar panel. They’re consistently exposed to sun, heat, and humidity—and the panels installed today are expected to last 30 years or more.
But how can we tell that new solar technologies will stand the test of time? I’m fascinated by the challenge of predicting how new materials will hold up in decades of tough conditions. That’s been especially tricky for one emerging technology in particular: perovskites. They’re a class of materials that developers are increasingly interested in incorporating into solar panels because of their high efficiency and low cost. The problem is, perovskites are notorious for degrading when exposed to high temperatures, moisture, and bright light … all the things they’ll need to withstand to make it in the real world. And it’s not as if we can sit around for decades, testing out different cells in the field for the expected lifetime of a solar panel—climate change is an urgent problem. The good news: researchers have made progress in both stretching out the lifetime of perovskite materials and working out how to predict which materials will be winners in the long run.
There’s almost constant news about perovskite solar materials breaking records. The latest such news comes from Oxford PV—in January, the company announced that one of its panels reached a 25% conversion efficiency, meaning a quarter of the solar energy beaming onto the panel was converted to electricity. Most high-end commercial panels have around a 20% efficiency, with some models topping 23%. The improvement is somewhat incremental, but it’s significant, and it’s all because of teamwork. Oxford PV and other companies are working to bring tandem solar technology to the market. These panels are basically sandwiches that combine layers of silicon (the material that dominates today’s solar market) and perovskites. Since the two materials soak up different wavelengths of light, they can be stacked together, adding up to a more efficient solar material.
We’re seeing advances in tandem technology, which is why we named super-efficient tandem solar cells one of our 2024 Breakthrough Technologies. But perovskites’ nasty tendency to degrade is a major barrier standing in the way.
Image Source: Swift Solar
Swift Solar is betting on cells that use perovskite, a material that can improve efficiency — but also has yet to be proven at scale.
Startup Swift Solar Inc. wants to build a US factory for manufacturing its futuristic panels in the next two to three years amid government plans to bolster the sector against China’s dominance. The California-based company aims to produce cells with a material known as perovskite, which can allow panels to capture energy from the sun’s rays more efficiently. Durability, though, remains an issue. Swift plans to open its first plant with the initial capacity to produce 100 megawatts annually of technology that pairs perovskite with traditional silicon photovoltaic cells. For comparison, the average Chinese plant churns out about 10,000 megawatts per year while US projects tend to be in the 1,000 to 3,000 megawatt range, according to BloombergNEF solar analyst Jenny Chase.
The company has received $44 million in financing, as well as a recent $7 million award from the US Energy Department as part of a Biden administration initiative backing innovative projects announced last month. Swift has received more than $16 million in federal and state grants, it said a statement. The venture capital arm of Eni and Fontinalis Partners also just led a $27 million Series A round. Swift is looking at sites in Northern California for its plant, though it said it’s not limiting its search to the area.
Pairing perovskite with silicon can increase efficiency up to 30%, according to a paper published in Science last year, as well as reduce costs. After losing solar manufacturing dominance to China, the US government is trying to play catch up by imposing tariffs on imports, and offering tax credits and incentives to make locally produced equipment more competitive. It’s also investing in new technology.
In 2023, OODA Loop contributor Scott Nuzum (SVP at Chicago-based Innovyz USA) contributed a foundational OODA Loop Original Analysis post – Five Exciting Breakthroughs in Materials Science. Over the course of Q324 and Q424, we expand Scott’s insights into a series of posts based on, arguably, all of our project management and strategic experience – especially for those of us who are non-technical or not scientists in an organizational chart: After just one interdisciplinary, cross-sector, cross-matrixed, and/or whole-of-government engineering or scientific touchpoint/experience on a complex project – a singular, breathtaking takeaway is always that material science is a fascinating discipline – just super cool and exciting – and THE cross-sector, interdisciplinary driver of global, strategic, competitive advantage across all exponential, deep, frontier and emerging technologies.
Recent reports of a breakthrough in room-temperature ambient pressure superconductors (RTAPS) have rightfully stirred excitement. Yet it’s just one piece of the vast innovation puzzle that materials science is solving. Here are five other breakthroughs that are on track to make significant impacts on our lives within the coming decade.
Feature Image Source: Swift Solar
Materials Science Revolution: Room-temperature ambient pressure superconductors represent a significant innovation. Sustainability gets a boost with reprocessable materials. Energy storage sees innovations in solid-state batteries and advanced supercapacitors. Smart textiles pave the way for health-monitoring and self-healing fabrics. 3D printing materials promise disruptions in various sectors. Perovskites offer versatile applications, from solar power to quantum computing. See: Materials Science
Technology Convergence and Market Disruption: Rapid advancements in technology are changing market dynamics and user expectations. See: Disruptive and Exponential Technologies.
The New Tech Trinity: Artificial Intelligence, BioTech, Quantum Tech: Will make monumental shifts in the world. This new Tech Trinity will redefine our economy, both threaten and fortify our national security, and revolutionize our intelligence community. None of us are ready for this. This convergence requires a deepened commitment to foresight and preparation and planning on a level that is not occurring anywhere. The New Tech Trinity.
The Revolution in Biology: This post provides an overview of key thrusts of the transformation underway in biology and offers seven topics business leaders should consider when updating business strategy to optimize opportunity because of these changes. For more see: The Executive’s Guide To The Revolution in Biology
Quantum Computing and Quantum Sensemaking: Quantum Computing, Quantum Security and Quantum Sensing insights to drive your decision-making process. Quantum Computing and Quantum Security
AI Discipline Interdependence: There are concerns about uncontrolled AI growth, with many experts calling for robust AI governance. Both positive and negative impacts of AI need assessment. See: Using AI for Competitive Advantage in Business.
Benefits of Automation and New Technology: Automation, AI, robotics, and Robotic Process Automation are improving business efficiency. New sensors, especially quantum ones, are revolutionizing sectors like healthcare and national security. Advanced WiFi, cellular, and space-based communication technologies are enhancing distributed work capabilities. See: Advanced Automation and New Technologies
Emerging NLP Approaches: While Big Data remains vital, there’s a growing need for efficient small data analysis, especially with potential chip shortages. Cost reductions in training AI models offer promising prospects for business disruptions. Breakthroughs in unsupervised learning could be especially transformative. See: What Leaders Should Know About NLP
Rise of the Metaverse: The Metaverse, an immersive digital universe, is expected to reshape internet interactions, education, social networking, and entertainment. See Future of the Metaverse.
Bitcoin’s Momentum: Bitcoin seems unstoppable due to solid mathematical foundations and widespread societal acceptance. Other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum also gain prominence. The Metaverse’s rise is closely tied to Ethereum’s universal trust layer. See: Guide to Crypto Revolution
About the Author
Daniel Pereira is research director at OODA. He is a foresight strategist, creative technologist, and an information communication technology (ICT) and digital media researcher with 20+ years of experience directing public/private partnerships and strategic innovation initiatives.
Informing your decisions with actionable intelligence
Informing your decisions with actionable intelligence