Some Essential Issues and Outlook for Industrialization of Cu-III-VI2 Thin-Film Solar Cells

The concept and method of in-line sputtering and selenization become the industrial standard for Cu-III-VI2 solar cell fabrication, but it is a difficult work to control and predict the electrical and optical performances, which are closely related to the chemical composition of the film. This chapter addresses the material design, device design, and process design using chemical compositions relating parameters. Compositional variation leads to change in the poisson equation, current equation and continuity equation governing the device design. To make the device design much realistic and meaningful, we have to build a model that relates the opto-electrical performance to the chemical composition of the film. The material and device structural parameters are input into the process simulation to give a complete process control parameters and method. We calculated neutral defect concentrations of non-stoichiometric CuMSe2 (M-In, Ga) under the specific atomic chemical potential conditions. The electrical and optical performance has also been investigated for the development of full function analytical solar cell simulator. Module instability and their origins are listed. After that progress of CZTS (Cu2ZnS4) is briefed on the future work of CIGS (CuInGaSe2). The future prospects regarding the development of CIGS thin-film solar cells (TFSCs) have also been discussed

Evaluating the Risk of Hydrochlorothiazide and ACE Inhibitor Exposure and Cutaneous Malignant Neoplasm

Objective. This study was conducted to assess the effects of using hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) alone and in combination, and the risk of developing cutaneous malignant neoplasm (CMN). Background. HCTZ and ACEIs are known photosensitizers, which cause phototoxicity following exposure to the drug and either UV or visible radiation, posing a future risk for skin cancer. Previous studies have not examined combined ACEI and HCTZ use and increased risk of malignancy. Methods. The study was conducted through a HIPAA compliant national database in the United States between 2010 and 2018, retrospectively reviewed using diagnostic codes for CMN and generic drug codes for ACEIs and HCTZ. Access to the database was granted by Holy Cross Health, Fort Lauderdale, for the purpose of academic research. Standard statistical tests were used. Results. The query yielded 1,375,562 patients, with 436,377 taking these antihypertensives and 939,185 that were not. CMN occurred in the antihypertensive-consuming population with an incidence of 4,327 (0.99%) and occurred in the control population with an incidence of 6,210 (0.66%). The difference was statistically significant with χ² p=2.2x10-16 and logistic regression odds ratio (OR) = 1.48 (95% CI, 1.42-1.55). Patients taking HCTZ and ACEIs together have an increased risk of developing CMN that is statically significant. Conclusion. The study shows a statistically significant correlation between both HCTZ and ACEI consumption and development of CMN. Further investigation is recommended regarding the potential synergistic adverse effects when HCTZ and ACEIs are used together and the development of CMN

Sichuan Rainfall Prediction Using an Analog Ensemble

This study aimed to address the significant bias in 0–44-day precipitation forecasts under numerical weather conditions. To achieve this, we utilized observational data obtained from 156 surface stations in the Sichuan region and reanalysis grid data from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction Climate Forecast System Model version 2. Statistical analysis of the spatiotemporal characteristics of precipitation in Sichuan was conducted, followed by a correction experiment based on the Analog Ensemble algorithm for 0–44-day precipitation forecasts for different seasons in the Sichuan region. The results show that, in terms of spatial distribution, the precipitation amounts and precipitation days in Sichuan Province gradually decreased from east to west. Temporally, the highest number of precipitation days occurred in autumn, while the maximum precipitation amount was observed in summer. The Analog Ensemble algorithm effectively reduced the error in the model forecast results for different seasons in the Sichuan region. However, the correction effectiveness varied seasonally, primarily because of the differing performance of the AnEn method in relation to precipitation events of various magnitudes. Notably, the correction effect was the poorest for heavy-rain forecasts. In addition, the degree of improvement of the Analog Ensemble algorithm varied for different initial forecast times and forecast lead times. As the forecast lead time increased, the correction effect gradually weakened

Low-Pollution and Controllable Selective-Area Deposition of a CdS Buffering Layer on CIGS Solar Cells by a Photochemical Technique

A chemical-bath deposition method has recently been applied for the industrial deposition of CdS buffer layers in high-efficiency Cu­(In, Ga)­Se₂ (CIGS) solar cells; however, its massive raw material waste and heavy pollution have also hindered its long-range industrialization. In this study, a type of low-pollution and controllable selective-area deposition of CdS thin films on cells was proposed and conducted by a photochemical deposition (PCD) technique using an aqueous solution containing S₂O₃^2–, SO₃^2–, and Cd²⁺. The as-deposited films are low-crystallinity, uniform, and compact with thicknesses of 30–50 nm. Moreover, the depositions of CdS thin films were further investigated by tuning the deposition time, absorption of cadmium ions, sulfur concentration, and light intensity. Additionally, an ion-by-ion mechanism was proposed for the growth of CdS thin films by a PCD technique. Furthermore, the optimal CdS thin layer was applied in CIGS solar cells, which showed a high efficiency of 10.45%. This research would give new insight into the efficient deposition of CdS thin films on solar cells with low pollution