Solar chargers based on new dye-based photovoltaic modules and new supercapacitors

Electricity storage is one of the best-known methods of balancing the energy supply and demand at a given moment. The article presents an innovative solution for the construction of an electric energy storage device obtained from an innovative photovoltaic panel made of new dye-based photovoltaic modules and newly developed supercapacitors – which can be used as an emergency power source. In the paper, for the first time, we focused on the successful paring of new dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) with novel supercapacitors. In the first step, a microprocessor stand was constructed using Artificial Intelligence algorithms to control the parameters of the environment, as well as the solar charger composed of six DSSC cells with the dimensions of 100_100 mm and 126 CR2032 coin cells with a total capacitance of 60 F containing redox-active aqueous electrolyte. It was proven that the solar charger store enough energy to power, i.e. SOS transmitter or igniters, using a 5 V signal

System pomiarowy do badania właściwości akumulatorów

Abstract. During development and research conducted at our Institute we have repeatedly encountered the issues related to the examination of the properties of the power source for engineer equipment. These studies are often lengthy and require constant monitoring of electrical parameters of the tested object. These conditions have led to a measurement system based on measurement and programming technologies of National Instruments Company. The system is complete, but because of the great flexibility of the technology used it is not a closed system and the possibility of its expansion is virtually limitless.The article includes the description of:— programming functions;— selected ways to tailor the measured quantities to the measurement range of converters;— ways to provide convenient electrical and mechanical connections between the tested objects and the converters;— exemplary use of the system in battery tests.[b]Keywords[/b]: measuring system, LabVIEW, battery measurement

Measuring System for Batteries Testing

Abstract. During development and research conducted at our Institute we have repeatedly encountered the issues related to the examination of the properties of the power source for engineer equipment. These studies are often lengthy and require constant monitoring of electrical parameters of the tested object. These conditions have led to a measurement system based on measurement and programming technologies of National Instruments Company. The system is complete, but because of the great flexibility of the technology used it is not a closed system and the possibility of its expansion is virtually limitless.The article includes the description of:— programming functions;— selected ways to tailor the measured quantities to the measurement range of converters;— ways to provide convenient electrical and mechanical connections between the tested objects and the converters;— exemplary use of the system in battery tests.[b]Keywords[/b]: measuring system, LabVIEW, battery measurement

PEDOT:PSS in Water and Toluene for Organic Devices—Technical Approach

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene:poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) water and toluene solutions were investigated in detail, taking into consideration their stability, wettability, transparency, and electrochemical properties, along with change polarity caused by dopant. As dopant, methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol were used with different dipole moments (1.70, 1.69, and 1.66 D) and dielectric constants (33.0, 24.5, and 18.0). Three techniques, i.e., spin coating, doctor blade coating, and spray coating, were employed to created PEDOT:PSS layers on glass, glass/indium tin oxide (ITO), and glass/fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates with optimized technical parameters for each used equipment. All used PEDOT:PSS water and toluene solutions demonstrated good wetting properties with angles below 30° for all used surfaces. Values of the energy bandgap (Eg) of PEDOT:PSS investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) in solution showed increase energy Eg along with addition of alcohol to the mixture, and they were found in the range of 1.20 eV to 2.85 eV. The opposite tendency was found for the Eg value of the PEDOT:PSS layer created from water solution. The storage effect on PEDOT:PSS layers detected by CV affected only the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) level, thereby causing changes in the energy bandgap. Finally, simple devices were constructed and investigated by infrared (IR) thermographic camera to investigate the surface defects on the created PEDOT:PSS layers. Our study showed that a more stable PEDOT:PSS layer without pin-holes and defects can be obtained from water and toluene solutions with isopropanol via the spin coating technique with an optimal speed of 3000 rpm and time of 90 s

Operational tests of coating systems in military technology applications

The paper presents an analysis of the functional operational properties of multilayer coatings for use in military technology in the field of masking. The developed coating systems are characterized by operational innovationdue to their small thickness when compared to those currently used by global defence contractors while maintaining the re-emission coefficient required for camouflage to be effective in the optical range. Their service life and durability were assessed in terms of functional properties based on measurements of attenuation coefficients, surface geometric structure, adhesion, specular gloss and colour parameters. The tests were carried out for coating systems fabricated in five variants: a two-layer paint system (SP1), a three-layer paint system (SP2), a laser-modified three-layer paint system (SP3) and a four-layer paint system in two variants (SP4 and SP5), with the former being modified with carbon nanotubes and the later with spherical iron. Coating systems are characterized by low roughness and good adhesion and have appropriate attenuation coefficients for radar waves. Due to their operational properties, the developed coating systems can be used on armaments and military equipment

Iodide Electrolyte-Based Hybrid Supercapacitor for Compact Photo-Rechargeable Energy Storage System Utilising Silicon Solar Cells

The one of the most important issues in constructing light-harvesting photovoltaic (PV) systems with a charge storage element is its reliable and uninterrupted use in highly variable and weather-dependent conditions in everyday applications. Herein, we report the construction and applicability evaluation of a ready-to-use portable solar charger comprising a silicon solar cell and an enhanced energy hybrid supercapacitor using activated carbon electrodes and iodide-based aqueous electrolyte to stabilise the PV power under fluctuating light conditions. The optimised electrode/electrolyte combination of a supercapacitor was used for the construction of a 60 F/3 V module by a proper adjustment of the series and parallel connections between the CR2032 coin cells. The final photo-rechargeable device was tested as a potential supporting system for pulse electronic applications under various laboratory conditions (temperature of 15 and 25 °C, solar irradiation of 600 and 1000 W m−2)