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Scalable large-area 2D-MoS2/silicon-nanowire heterostructures for enhancing energy storage applications

I. Zeimpekis, T. Rahman, O. Leung, J. J. Tyson, M. Ebert, S. A. Boden, C. Ponce De Leon, and K. A. Morgan

Posted on 2024-03-07

Two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal dichalcogenides have shown great potential for energy storage applications owing to their interlayer spacing, large surface area-to-volume ratio, superior electrical properties, and chemical compatibility. Further, increasing the surface area of such materials can lead to enhanced electrical, chemical, and optical response for energy storage and generation applications.... [Read More]

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Spectrophotometric analysis of stochastic hybrid black silicon nanostructures for crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells

J. J. Tyson

Posted on 2023-11-03

Black silicon nanotextures offer exceptionally low levels of reflectance and are of interest to the field of solar photovoltaics. The nanowires that form this texture create a graded refractive index, allowing light to be absorbed with high efficiency. Explored here is the application of these nanotextures on top of conventional... [Read More]

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Characterising the broadband, wide–angle reflectance properties of black silicon surfaces for photovoltaic applications

J. J. Tyson, T. E. Scheul, T. Rahman, and S. A. Boden

Posted on 2023-08-03

Black silicon nanotextures offer significant optical performance improvements when applied to crystalline silicon solar cells. Coupled with conventional pyramidal textures, to create so–called hybrid black silicon, these benefits are shown to be further enhanced. Presented here is a comprehensive analysis of different variations of this texture, coupled with typical anti–reflectance... [Read More]

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Analysing the optical performance of hybrid black silicon surface textures under variable angle illumination

J. J. Tyson, T. Rahman, and S. A. Boden

Posted on 2022-09-20

We showcase the optical performance of our hybrid black silicon (hb-Si) nanotextures, as measured with our bespoke angle-resolved spectrophotometer (ARS) and delve into a real-world analysis of its day-to-day performance. Using our novel reflectance measuring technique we can combine theoretical solar irradiance with measured surface reflectance, resolved against wavelength, angle,... [Read More]

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Hybrid black silicon nanotextures and their implications on the time-varying performance of solar photovoltaic technologies in the real world

J. J. Tyson, T. Rahman, and S. A. Boden

Posted on 2022-04-06

We theorise as to the probable performance metrics of various solar cell textures should they be placed at various places around the world, across all seasons, and with typical local weather conditions. This analysis methodoloy brings to light novel and previously unseen advantages and disadvantages to certain texturing techniques, solar... [Read More]

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Developing outdoor testing equipment for insolation measurement of bifacial solar tracking systems for evaluation purposes

Y. Musleh, J. J. Tyson, C. Cao, S. A. Boden, and T. Rahman

Posted on 2022-04-05

It is stated that the globe is entering a clean energy revolution, diverging away from finite sources, and moving towards more renewable sources such as solar energy. Amid the recent technological advancements in photovoltaics, the majority of sites inaugurate standard monofacial crystalline modules fixed at a particular angle relative to... [Read More]

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A ground-breaking new system to accurately measure light reflection from a shifting source

J. J. Tyson, T. Rahman, and S. A. Boden

Posted on 2022-03-31

In developing a solution to tackle the lost energy potential of reflection of light from the surface of solar cells – using nanoscale textured ‘black’ silicon - a new, ground-breaking innovation emerged. The Variable Angle Reflectometer (VAR) is designed to measure the reflectance of a given surface, resolved not only... [Read More]

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Angle-resolved spectrophotometry for the optical characterisation of material surfaces

J. J. Tyson, T. Rahman, and S. A. Boden

Posted on 2022-01-27

Surface reflectance is a practical metric of the optical performance of a material. Applications, such as glass manufacturing, light sensing, satellite reflectors, and photovoltaics, depend on their reflectance properties and generalized optical performance. Reflectance measurements are rarely reported comprehensively, with only a single angle of incidence common in most datasets.... [Read More]

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Ray tracing derived from wave-based optics for nanoscale light propagation studies - a theoretical overview

J. J. Tyson, T. Rahman, and S. A. Boden

Posted on 2020-10-01

The authors theorise a new optical simulation methodology, using COMSOL Multiphysics and the theory behind optical ray tracing, to translate electromagnetic wave fronts into directional rays at the nanoscale. [Read More]

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A new mathematical interpretation of disordered nanoscale material systems for computational modelling

J. J. Tyson, T. Rahman, and S. A. Boden

Posted on 2020-05-30

As the era of microscale technologies becomes increasingly overcome by that of the nanoscale, an ever-increasing emphasis on the accurate modelling of such scaled systems is apparent. This work explores the combination of the finite element method with a new set of statistical algorithms to model the optical properties of... [Read More]

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Multiphysics simulations for robust computational modelling of stochastic nanostructures

J. J. Tyson, T. Rahman, and S. A. Boden

Posted on 2019-09-25

This work explores the implications of random and non-linear nanostructures on electromagnetic wave propagation, within a multiphysics simulation environment. Showcased is a way to noticeably bypass the inaccuracies drawn from the linearity dependency of traditional simulation methods. Applying the COMSOL Multiphysics software platform, the finite element method and a geometry... [Read More]

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Optical simulation of black silicon surfaces using geometric randomisation and unit-cell based averaging

J. J. Tyson, T. Rahman, and S. A. Boden

Posted on 2019-04-12

In this work, we present a method of simulating the reflectance spectra of black silicon surfaces using the finite element method. Outlined is the design and verification of a new set of algorithm-controlled geometries, rendering a vast array of different structural permutations, whilst measuring the spectral response of each individually.... [Read More]

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Micro-thermal flow-rate detection for lab-on-a-chip technologies

J. J. Tyson

Posted on 2018-05-22

Flow-rate detection forms an integral component of a wide variety of analysis systems. With the micro-scale advancements of such technologies this is an area of interest, particularly for fluid-based medical applications, in which many different form-factors employing a variety of different detection methods can be seen. In this paper, an... [Read More]

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