Laminated Monolithic Perovskite/Silicon Tandem Photovoltaics

Perovskite/silicon tandem photovoltaics have attracted enormous attention in science and technology over recent years. In order to improve the performance and stability of the technology, new materials and processes need to be investigated. However, the established sequential layer deposition methods severely limit the choice of materials and accessible device architectures. In response, a novel lamination process that increases the degree of freedom in processing the top perovskite solar cell (PSC) is proposed. The very first prototypes of laminated monolithic perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells with stable power output efficiencies of up to 20.0% are presented. Moreover, laminated single-junction PSCs are on par with standard sequential layer deposition processed devices in the same architecture. The numerous advantages of the lamination process are highlighted, in particular the opportunities to engineer the perovskite morphology, which leads to a reduction of non-radiative recombination losses and and an enhancement in open-circuit voltage (Voc). Laminated PSCs exhibit improved stability by retaining their initial efficiency after 1-year aging and show good thermal stability under prolonged illumination at 80 °C. This lamination approach enables the research of new architectures for perovskite-based photovoltaics and paves a new route for processing monolithic tandem solar cells even with a scalable lamination process

Antiinflammatory Therapy with Canakinumab for Atherosclerotic Disease

Background: Experimental and clinical data suggest that reducing inflammation without affecting lipid levels may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Yet, the inflammatory hypothesis of atherothrombosis has remained unproved. Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind trial of canakinumab, a therapeutic monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-1β, involving 10,061 patients with previous myocardial infarction and a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level of 2 mg or more per liter. The trial compared three doses of canakinumab (50 mg, 150 mg, and 300 mg, administered subcutaneously every 3 months) with placebo. The primary efficacy end point was nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or cardiovascular death. RESULTS: At 48 months, the median reduction from baseline in the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level was 26 percentage points greater in the group that received the 50-mg dose of canakinumab, 37 percentage points greater in the 150-mg group, and 41 percentage points greater in the 300-mg group than in the placebo group. Canakinumab did not reduce lipid levels from baseline. At a median follow-up of 3.7 years, the incidence rate for the primary end point was 4.50 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group, 4.11 events per 100 person-years in the 50-mg group, 3.86 events per 100 person-years in the 150-mg group, and 3.90 events per 100 person-years in the 300-mg group. The hazard ratios as compared with placebo were as follows: in the 50-mg group, 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 1.07; P = 0.30); in the 150-mg group, 0.85 (95% CI, 0.74 to 0.98; P = 0.021); and in the 300-mg group, 0.86 (95% CI, 0.75 to 0.99; P = 0.031). The 150-mg dose, but not the other doses, met the prespecified multiplicity-adjusted threshold for statistical significance for the primary end point and the secondary end point that additionally included hospitalization for unstable angina that led to urgent revascularization (hazard ratio vs. placebo, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.95; P = 0.005). Canakinumab was associated with a higher incidence of fatal infection than was placebo. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio for all canakinumab doses vs. placebo, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.06; P = 0.31). Conclusions: Antiinflammatory therapy targeting the interleukin-1β innate immunity pathway with canakinumab at a dose of 150 mg every 3 months led to a significantly lower rate of recurrent cardiovascular events than placebo, independent of lipid-level lowering. (Funded by Novartis; CANTOS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01327846.

The biogas-oxyfuel process as a carbon source for high-temperature co-electrolysis and degradation by oxidized sulphur contaminants

The indirect electrification of the sectors heating, mobility and chemical industry by power-to-X processes may play a significant role in transforming our energy system, because not all processes can easily use electrical power directly. The high-temperature co-electrolysis is particularly well suited to produce synthesis gas as feedstock for various power-to-fuel and power-to-chemicals processes.Besides the energy- and cost-intensive direct air capture, biogenic carbon dioxide emissions are promising candidate for supplying the CO2. Biogas contains between 30 - 50 vol. % of CO2 besides methane and trace impurities and is available in a significant amount in Europe. The biogas can be upgraded by separating the CO2 and methane. However, since the upgrade plants add additional costs and the combination is often not economically viable, biogas is in most cases directly burned in CHP plants.To harness the significant carbon potential of biogas, an oxyfuel combustion may be used, which avoids the dilution of CO2 with nitrogen from the air and emits a mixture of steam and CO2 that could be used directly in a co-electrolysis system for re-usage of CO2. Recent investigations show, that this mixture can be supplied for low costs by retrofitting existing biogas combustion to an oxyfuel combustion. This contribution will investigate the performance and operation of short-stacks containing Ni/YSZ-based solid-oxide cells with simulated flue gases from such a biogas-oxyfuel process.However, biogas also contains trace impurities originating from the biomass, foremost sulfuric species and siloxanes. Before combustion, these are partially removed from the gas, but some traces remain and are converted to oxidized combustion products. In particular, the impact of these oxidized contaminants on the degradation behavior of the cells will be considered and experimentally investigated

The biogas-oxyfuel process as a carbon source for high-temperature co-electrolysis and degradation by oxidized sulphur contaminants

The indirect electrification of the sectors heating, mobility and chemical industry by power-to-X processes may play a significant role in transforming our energy system, because not all processes can easily use electrical power directly. The high-temperature co-electrolysis is particularly well suited to produce synthesis gas as feedstock for various power-to-fuel and power-to-chemicals processes.Besides the energy- and cost-intensive direct air capture, biogenic carbon dioxide emissions are promising candidate for supplying the CO2. Biogas contains between 30 - 50 vol. % of CO2 besides methane and trace impurities and is available in a significant amount in Europe. The biogas can be upgraded by separating the CO2 and methane. However, since the upgrade plants add additional costs and the combination is often not economically viable, biogas is in most cases directly burned in CHP plants.To harness the significant carbon potential of biogas, an oxyfuel combustion may be used, which avoids the dilution of CO2 with nitrogen from the air and emits a mixture of steam and CO2 that could be used directly in a co-electrolysis system for re-usage of CO2. Recent investigations show, that this mixture can be supplied for low costs by retrofitting existing biogas combustion to an oxyfuel combustion. This contribution will investigate the performance and operation of short-stacks containing Ni/YSZ-based solid-oxide cells with simulated flue gases from such a biogas-oxyfuel process.However, biogas also contains trace impurities originating from the biomass, foremost sulfuric species and siloxanes. Before combustion, these are partially removed from the gas, but some traces remain and are converted to oxidized combustion products. In particular, the impact of these oxidized contaminants on the degradation behavior of the cells will be considered and experimentally investigated

Methanol based pathways towards renewable fuels

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Methanol-to-X: Prozessanalyse Methanol-basierter Kraftstoffe

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