Leveraging Low-Energy Structural Thermodynamics in Halide Perovskites

Metal halide perovskites (MHPs) combine extraordinary optoelectronic properties with chemical and mechanical properties not found in their semiconductor counterparts. For instance, they exhibit optoelectronic properties on par with single-crystalline gallium arsenide yet exhibit near-zero formation energies. The small lattice energy of MHPs means they undergo a rich diversity of polymorphism near standard conditions similar to organic materials. MHPs also demonstrate ionic transport as high as state-of-the-art battery electrodes. The most widespread applications for metal halide perovskites (e.g. photovoltaics and solid-state lighting) typically view low formation energies, polymorphism, and high ion transport as a nuisance that should be eliminated. Here, we put these properties into perspective by comparing them to other technologically relevant semiconductors in order to highlight how unique this combination of properties is for semiconductors and to illustrate ways to leverage these properties in emerging applications

Multi-wavelength observations of 2HWC J1928+177: dark accelerator or new TeV gamma-ray binary?

2HWC J1928+177 is a Galactic TeV gamma-ray source detected by the High Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) Observatory up to ~ 56 TeV. The HAWC source, later confirmed by H.E.S.S., still remains unidentified as a dark accelerator since there is no apparent supernova remnant or pulsar wind nebula detected in the lower energy bands. The radio pulsar PSR J1928+1746, coinciding with the HAWC source position, has no X-ray counterpart. Our SED modeling shows that inverse Compton scattering in the putative pulsar wind nebula can account for the TeV emission only if the unseen nebula is extended beyond r ~ 4 [arcmin]. Alternatively, TeV gamma rays may be produced by hadronic interactions between relativistic protons from an undetected supernova remnant associated with the radio pulsar and a nearby molecular cloud G52.9+0.1. NuSTAR and Chandra observations detected a variable X-ray point source within the HAWC error circle, potentially associated with a bright IR source. The X-ray spectra can be fitted with an absorbed power-law model with $N_{\rm H} = (9\pm3)\times10^{22}$ cm$^{-2}$ and $\Gamma_X = 1.6\pm0.3$ and exhibit long-term X-ray flux variability over the last decade. If the X-ray source, possibly associated with the IR source (likely an O star), is the counterpart of the HAWC source, it may be a new TeV gamma-ray binary powered by collisions between the pulsar wind and stellar wind. Follow-up X-ray observations are warranted to search for diffuse X-ray emission and determine the nature of the HAWC source.Comment: accepted to ApJ, 8 pages, 7 figure

Metrology of DNA Arrays by Super-Resolution Microscopy

Recent results in the assembly of DNA into structures and arrays with nanoscale features and patterns have opened the possibility of using DNA for sub-10 nm lithographic patterning of semiconductor devices. Super-resolution microscopy is being actively developed for DNA-based imaging and is compatible with inline optical metrology techniques for high volume manufacturing. Here, we combine DNA tile assembly with state-dependent super-resolution microscopy to introduce crystal-PAINT as a novel approach for metrology of DNA arrays. Using this approach, we demonstrate optical imaging and characterization of DNA arrays revealing grain boundaries and the temperature dependence of array quality. For finite arrays, analysis of crystal-PAINT images provides further quantitative information of array properties. This metrology approach enables defect detection and classification and facilitates statistical analysis of self-assembled DNA nanostructures

Big Red Sat-1: Mission Overview and Future Opportunities for Perovskites in Low Earth Orbit

Perovskite solar cells are an emerging technology that holds the promise of reducing the size and weight of solar panels on satellites. While many research laboratories have produced perovskite solar cells and characterized their performance in laboratory conditions, few have endeavored to launch them into space. The Big Red Sat-1 (BRS-1) is one such satellite, designed to incorporate three different perovskite solar cell architectures along with custom curve tracing instrumentation for launch into low earth orbit through NASA\u27s CubeSat Launch Initiative. The curve tracer is realized using a precision resistor ladder with high quality current and voltage measurements. Perovskite solar cell samples were fabricated by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and characterized in their facilities before shipment. These cells were recharacterized using flight hardware before integration into the Nanoracks launcher. In addition to the eighteen perovskite solar cell pixels, a gallium arsenide (GaAs) solar cell was included to trigger measurements when the BRS-1 is pointing at the sun. During nominal operations, the BRS-1 will continuously take J-V curves while the GaAs solar cell is illuminated and will be in a low power state otherwise. Future missions should include a sun vector sensor for precise solar flux measurements, active curve tracing for dark current measurements, and explore alternative perovskite solar cell architectures including tandem cells. All designs for BRS-1 have been made open source to benefit other student-led missions. BRS-1 is currently in-orbit and transmitting measurement data

New generation hole transporting materials for Perovskite solar cells: Amide-based small-molecules with nonconjugated backbones

State-of-the-art perovskite-based solar cells employ expensive, organic hole transporting materials (HTMs) such as Spiro-OMeTAD that, in turn, limits the commercialization of this promising technology. Herein an HTM (EDOT-Amide-TPA) is reported in which a functional amide-based backbone is introduced, which allows this material to be synthesized in a simple condensation reaction with an estimated cost of <$5 g−1. When employed in perovskite solar cells, EDOT-Amide-TPA demonstrates stabilized power conversion efficiencies up to 20.0% and reproducibly outperforms Spiro-OMeTAD in direct comparisons. Time resolved microwave conductivity measurements indicate that the observed improvement originates from a faster hole injection rate from the perovskite to EDOT-Amide-TPA. Additionally, the devices exhibit an improved lifetime, which is assigned to the coordination of the amide bond to the Li-additive, offering a novel strategy to hamper the migration of additives. It is shown that, despite the lack of a conjugated backbone, the amide-based HTM can outperform state-of-the-art HTMs at a fraction of the cost, thereby providing a novel set of design strategies to develop new, low-cost HTMs

I-V performance characterisation of perovskite solar cells

Interlaboratory comparisons of I-V performance measurements of perovskite solar cells have highlighted a clear need for development in application of measurement routines to deliver repeatable and comparable results. This work investigates the impact of applied measurement methodologies and conditions on I-V performance. Dependencies on light soaking, temperature effects and I-V curve trace speed are investigated. Furthermore, the problems faced with tracking the maximum power point are detailed. Measurement results on slow responding perovskite solar cells highlight the problems when tracing the I-V curve and show that maximum power point trackers can easily fail to track the real maximum output. Best practice advice is given with the aim to achieve realistic and reproducible characterisation results that are comparable among laboratories

New generation hole transporting materials for perovskite solar cells: amide-based small-molecules with nonconjugated backbones

State‐of‐the‐art perovskite‐based solar cells employ expensive, organic hole transporting materials (HTMs) such as Spiro‐OMeTAD that, in turn, limits the commercialization of this promising technology. Herein an HTM (EDOT‐Amide‐TPA) is reported in which a functional amide‐based backbone is introduced, which allows this material to be synthesized in a simple condensation reaction with an estimated cost of &lt;$5 g−1. When employed in perovskite solar cells, EDOT‐Amide‐TPA demonstrates stabilized power conversion efficiencies up to 20.0% and reproducibly outperforms Spiro‐OMeTAD in direct comparisons. Time resolved microwave conductivity measurements indicate that the observed improvement originates from a faster hole injection rate from the perovskite to EDOT‐Amide‐TPA. Additionally, the devices exhibit an improved lifetime, which is assigned to the coordination of the amide bond to the Li‐additive, offering a novel strategy to hamper the migration of additives. It is shown that, despite the lack of a conjugated backbone, the amide‐based HTM can outperform state‐of‐the‐art HTMs at a fraction of the cost, thereby providing a novel set of design strategies to develop new, low‐cost HTMs

New generation hole transporting materials for perovskite solar cells: amide-based small-molecules with nonconjugated backbones

State‐of‐the‐art perovskite‐based solar cells employ expensive, organic hole transporting materials (HTMs) such as Spiro‐OMeTAD that, in turn, limits the commercialization of this promising technology. Herein an HTM (EDOT‐Amide‐TPA) is reported in which a functional amide‐based backbone is introduced, which allows this material to be synthesized in a simple condensation reaction with an estimated cost of &lt;$5 g−1. When employed in perovskite solar cells, EDOT‐Amide‐TPA demonstrates stabilized power conversion efficiencies up to 20.0% and reproducibly outperforms Spiro‐OMeTAD in direct comparisons. Time resolved microwave conductivity measurements indicate that the observed improvement originates from a faster hole injection rate from the perovskite to EDOT‐Amide‐TPA. Additionally, the devices exhibit an improved lifetime, which is assigned to the coordination of the amide bond to the Li‐additive, offering a novel strategy to hamper the migration of additives. It is shown that, despite the lack of a conjugated backbone, the amide‐based HTM can outperform state‐of‐the‐art HTMs at a fraction of the cost, thereby providing a novel set of design strategies to develop new, low‐cost HTMs

Roles of GM-CSF in the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Diseases: An Update.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was first described as a growth factor that induces the differentiation and proliferation of myeloid progenitors in the bone marrow. GM-CSF also has an important cytokine effect in chronic inflammatory diseases by stimulating the activation and migration of myeloid cells to inflammation sites, promoting survival of target cells and stimulating the renewal of effector granulocytes and macrophages. Because of these pro-cellular effects, an imbalance in GM-CSF production/signaling may lead to harmful inflammatory conditions. In this context, GM-CSF has a pathogenic role in autoimmune diseases that are dependent on cellular immune responses such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Conversely, a protective role has also been described in other autoimmune diseases where humoral responses are detrimental such as myasthenia gravis (MG), Hashimoto\u27s thyroiditis (HT), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this review, we aimed for a comprehensive analysis of literature data on the multiple roles of GM-CSF in autoimmue diseases and possible therapeutic strategies that target GM-CSF production