Yanping Du

Efficiently-cooled plasmonic amorphous silicon solar cells integrated with a nano-coated heat-pipe plate

Solar photovoltaics (PV) are emerging as a major alternative energy source. The cost of PV electricity depends on the efficiency of conversion of light to electricity. Despite of steady growth in the efficiency for several decades, little has been achieved to reduce the impact of real-world operating temperatures on this efficiency. Here we demonstrate a highly efficient cooling solution to the recently emerging high performance plasmonic solar cell technology by integrating an advanced nano-coated heat-pipe plate. This thermal cooling technology, efficient for both summer and winter time, demonstrates the heat transportation capability up to ten times higher than those of the metal plate and the conventional wickless heat-pipe plates. The reduction in temperature rise of the plasmonic solar cells operating under one sun condition can be as high as 46%, leading to an approximate 56% recovery in efficiency, which dramatically increases the energy yield of the plasmonic solar cells. This newly-developed, thermally-managed plasmonic solar cell device significantly extends the application scope of PV for highly efficient solar energy conversion.

Numerical simulation of film condensation on vertical plate embedded in metallic foams

Film condensation on vertical plate embedded in metal foams was numerically investigated based on some modification for Nusselt theory. Related numerical model was established by introducing Brinkman-Darcy model. Advection and inertial force in the condensate film were considered, from which the non-linear effect of cross-sectional temperature distribution on condensation heat transfer was also involved. Condensation characteristics were discussed and compared with those on smooth surface. Effects of key parameters on condensate film thickness were examined. Furthermore, with either the increase in porosity or the decrease in pore density, the condensate layer becomes thinner.