18,093 research outputs found
Monolithic and mechanical multijunction space solar cells
High-efficiency, lightweight, radiation-resistant solar cells are essential to meet the large power requirements of future space missions. Single-junction cells are limited in efficiency. Higher cell efficiencies could be realized by developing multijunction, multibandgap solar cells. Monolithic and mechanically stacked tandem solar cells surpassing single-junction cell efficiencies have been fabricated. This article surveys the current status of monolithic and mechanically stacked multibandgap space solar cells, and outlines problems yet to be resolved. The monolithic and mechanically stacked cells each have their own problems related to size, processing, current and voltage matching, weight, and other factors. More information is needed on the effect of temperature and radiation on the cell performance. Proper reference cells and full-spectrum range simulators are also needed to measure efficiencies correctly. Cost issues are not addressed, since the two approaches are still in the developmental stage
Optimal design study of high efficiency indium phosphide space solar cells
Recently indium phosphide solar cells have achieved beginning of life AMO efficiencies in excess of 19 pct. at 25 C. The high efficiency prospects along with superb radiation tolerance make indium phosphide a leading material for space power requirements. To achieve cost effectiveness, practical cell efficiencies have to be raised to near theoretical limits and thin film indium phosphide cells need to be developed. The optimal design study is described of high efficiency indium phosphide solar cells for space power applications using the PC-1D computer program. It is shown that cells with efficiencies over 22 pct. AMO at 25 C could be fabricated by achieving proper material and process parameters. It is observed that further improvements in cell material and process parameters could lead to experimental cell efficiencies near theoretical limits. The effect of various emitter and base parameters on cell performance was studied
Effect of emitter parameter variation on the performance of heteroepitaxial indium phosphide solar cells
Metallorganic chemical-vapor-deposited heteroepitaxial indium phosphide (InP) solar cell experimental results were simulated by using a PC-1D computer model. The effect of emitter parameter variation on the performance of n(+)/p/p(+) heteroepitaxial InP/GaAs solar cell was presented. The thinner and lighter doped emitters were observed to offer higher cell efficiencies. The influence of emitter thickness and minority carrier diffusion length on the cell efficiency with respect to dislocation density was studied. Heteroepitaxial cells with efficiencies similar to present day homojunction InP efficiencies (greater than 16 percent AMO) were shown to be attainable if a dislocation density lower than 10(exp 6)/sq cm could be achieved. A realistic optimized design study yielded InP solar cells of over 22 percent AMO efficiency at 25 C
Profile control charts based on nonparametric -1 regression methods
Classical statistical process control often relies on univariate
characteristics. In many contemporary applications, however, the quality of
products must be characterized by some functional relation between a response
variable and its explanatory variables. Monitoring such functional profiles has
been a rapidly growing field due to increasing demands. This paper develops a
novel nonparametric -1 location-scale model to screen the shapes of
profiles. The model is built on three basic elements: location shifts, local
shape distortions, and overall shape deviations, which are quantified by three
individual metrics. The proposed approach is applied to the previously analyzed
vertical density profile data, leading to some interesting insights.Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/11-AOAS501 the Annals of
Applied Statistics (http://www.imstat.org/aoas/) by the Institute of
Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org
Uniform fractional factorial designs
The minimum aberration criterion has been frequently used in the selection of
fractional factorial designs with nominal factors. For designs with
quantitative factors, however, level permutation of factors could alter their
geometrical structures and statistical properties. In this paper uniformity is
used to further distinguish fractional factorial designs, besides the minimum
aberration criterion. We show that minimum aberration designs have low
discrepancies on average. An efficient method for constructing uniform minimum
aberration designs is proposed and optimal designs with 27 and 81 runs are
obtained for practical use. These designs have good uniformity and are
effective for studying quantitative factors.Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/12-AOS987 the Annals of
Statistics (http://www.imstat.org/aos/) by the Institute of Mathematical
Statistics (http://www.imstat.org
Effect of dislocations on the open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current and efficiency of heteroepitaxial indium phosphide solar cells
Excellent radiation resistance of indium phosphide solar cells makes them a promising candidate for space power applications, but the present high cost of starting substrates may inhibit their large scale use. Thin film indium phosphide cells grown on Si or GaAs substrates have exhibited low efficiencies, because of the generation and propagation of large number of dislocations. Dislocation densities were calculated and its influence on the open circuit voltage, short circuit current, and efficiency of heteroepitaxial indium phosphide cells was studied using the PC-1D. Dislocations act as predominant recombination centers and are required to be controlled by proper transition layers and improved growth techniques. It is shown that heteroepitaxial grown cells could achieve efficiencies in excess of 18 percent AMO by controlling the number of dislocations. The effect of emitter thickness and surface recombination velocity on the cell performance parameters vs. dislocation density is also studied
On construction of optimal mixed-level supersaturated designs
Supersaturated design (SSD) has received much recent interest because of its
potential in factor screening experiments. In this paper, we provide equivalent
conditions for two columns to be fully aliased and consequently propose methods
for constructing - and -optimal mixed-level SSDs
without fully aliased columns, via equidistant designs and difference matrices.
The methods can be easily performed and many new optimal mixed-level SSDs have
been obtained. Furthermore, it is proved that the nonorthogonality between
columns of the resulting design is well controlled by the source designs. A
rather complete list of newly generated optimal mixed-level SSDs are tabulated
for practical use.Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/11-AOS877 the Annals of
Statistics (http://www.imstat.org/aos/) by the Institute of Mathematical
Statistics (http://www.imstat.org
Dynamics of Multistage Gear Transmission with Effects of Gearbox Vibrations
A comprehensive approach is presented in analyzing the dynamic behavior of multistage gear transmission systems with the effects of gearbox induced vibrations and mass imbalances of the rotor. The modal method, with undamped frequencies and planar mode shapes, is used to reduce the degrees of freedom of the gear system for time-transient dynamic analysis. Both the lateral and torsional vibration modes of each rotor-bearing-gear stage as well as the interstage vibrational characteristics are coupled together through localized gear mesh tooth interactions. In addition, gearbox vibrations are also coupled to the rotor-bearing-gear system dynamics through bearing support forces between the rotor and the gearbox. Transient and steady state dynamics of lateral and torsional vibrations of the geared system are examined in both time and frequency domains to develop interpretations of the overall modal dynamic characteristics under various operating conditions. A typical three-stage geared system is used as an example. Effects of mass imbalance and gearbox vibrations on the system dynamic behavior are presented in terms of modal excitation functions for both lateral and torsional vibrations. Operational characteristics and conclusions are drawn from the results presented
- …