Toward Giant-voltage Generation beyond 1000 Volts
November 16, 2015 | University of TokyoEstimated reading time: 1 minute
University of Tokyo researchers have succeeded in developing ferroelectric devices delivering a high voltage of 23 volts under visible light. This result is expected to contribute to clean energy generation from sunlight.
Semiconductor materials capable of converting light into electricity are utilized in photovoltaic cells. However, the voltage that can be generated by present semiconductor-based devices is of the order of a few volts at most. Recently it has been reported that high voltages can be generated in ferroelectric thin films, which has stimulated active research and development of photoelectric conversion devices using ferroelectric materials. However, multiple challenges remained, such as difficulty in establishing device design and still unknown principles behind power generation.
The research group of Associate Professor Yuji Noguchi, then-Project Researcher Ryotaro Inoue and Professor Masaru Miyayama at the Graduate School of Engineering demonstrated the generation of a high voltage from visible light using a crystal of the ferroelectric material barium titanate using a polarization wall with a few nanometers thickness between domains. In addition, the research group showed that by controlling the structure of the polarization wall is possible in principle to obtain huge voltages of over 1000 volts.
“This results obtained in this study may also be applicable to other polar materials such as zinc oxides and gallium nitride,” says Associate Professor Noguchi. He continues, “The combination of this research with conventional semiconductor photovoltaic systems may lead to increases in photoelectric conversion efficiency.”
Suggested Items
IDTechEx Discusses Low-Loss Materials: The Enabler of Future Connected Vehicles?
05/06/2024 | IDTechExFuture connected vehicles will offer future drivers a safer, smoother, and more convenient driving experience. Not only will drivers get access to more navigation and entertainment options, but they will also gain access to safety technologies that will potentially reduce accidents, improve congestion, and reduce emissions globally by allowing vehicle safety systems to communicate with each other and with city traffic infrastructure.
LQDX Divests Aluminum Soldering Business - Mina™ - to Taiyo America Inc.
05/02/2024 | PRNewswireLQDX, formerly known as Averatek Corp., developer of high-performance materials for advanced semiconductor manufacturing, today announced that it has divested its aluminum soldering business – known as MinaTM – to Taiyo America Inc., a global market leader in advanced electronic materials.
Indium Corporation Expert to Present on Pb-Free Solder for Die-Attach in Discrete Power Applications
04/30/2024 | Indium CorporationIndium Corporation Product Manager – Semiconductor Dean Payne will present at the Advanced Packaging for Power Electronics conference, hosted by IMAPS, held May 8-9 in Woburn, Massachusetts, USA.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Adhesive Materials and Equipment Update with Dymax
05/01/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOVirginia Hogan, global business development manager at Dymax, discusses adhesive materials, dispensing and curing equipment, a new, high-reliability conformal coating, and various materials and dispensing methods.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Sustainability in the Industry
04/26/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOGuest Editor Henry Crandall and Chris Nash of Indium Corporation discuss the company's 90th anniversary and its focus on sustainability. They focus on the benefits of sustainable materials, their compatibility, and value propositions. The conversation also highlights how Durafuse LT technology's role in reducing reflow temperatures is leading to significant cost and energy savings. Nash also touches on downstream sustainability efforts such as using recycled materials for packaging.