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Full-Text Articles in Engineering
Market-Conscious Strategies To Improve The Performance And Stability Of Planar, P-I-N Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Metal Halide Perovskite Solar Cells, Brandon Dunham
Doctoral Dissertations
Planar, p-i-n (inverted) hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite solar cells that use low-temperature, solution-processable charge-transport layers have garnered much attention due to their direct compatibility with flexible substrates and cost-effective roll-to-roll manufacturing. Nevertheless, this architecture has failed to repeatedly achieve the superior power conversion efficiencies frequently attained by its n-i-p counterpart. Additionally, the perovskite active layer has poor stability in the presence of prolonged light exposure, high temperatures, and moisture. In this study, we propose commercially viable strategies to improve the performance and stability of inverted methylammonium lead iodide perovskite solar cells. First, we show that a simple two-step method comprising evaporation-induced …
Numerical Simulation Of Thermoelectric Transport In Bulk And Nanostructured Sisn Alloys, Venkatakrishna Dusetty
Numerical Simulation Of Thermoelectric Transport In Bulk And Nanostructured Sisn Alloys, Venkatakrishna Dusetty
Masters Theses
The current high demand for sustainable and renewable energy sources to solve world energy crisis has enormously increased interest in looking at alternative sources of energy. All the machines used in manufacturing process, electricity generation, residential applications, transportation etc., rejects energy in the form of heat into environment. Thermoelectric materials can convert thermal-to-electrical and electrical-to-thermal energy and can be utilized in waste-heat harvesting, more efficient cooling to reduce energy usage and CO2 emissions. Significant research efforts have been devoted over the past decade to thermoelectric materials, with particular emphasis being placed on combining materials selection with nanostructuring. The overarching …
Modeling The Economic And Environmental Performance Of Offshore Wind Energy, Alexana Cranmer
Modeling The Economic And Environmental Performance Of Offshore Wind Energy, Alexana Cranmer
Doctoral Dissertations
Offshore wind is a growing source of energy globally. Like any energy technology, it has impacts on the environment. In the case of renewable energy, we need a way to consider the environmental benefits as well as the environmental costs. This dissertation develops a set of models to examine the economic and environmental costs and benefits and the trade-offs between them. We ask how much offshore wind energy should be sited, and where should that offshore wind energy be located? The first model estimates the economic impact of wake interactions between wind farms. Wind farm sites are chosen through a …
Production Of Renewable Chemicals And Energy From Waste Biomass, Sheng Chu
Production Of Renewable Chemicals And Energy From Waste Biomass, Sheng Chu
Doctoral Dissertations
With the rapid growth of world population and developing industries, the production of wastes has dramatically increased in the past decades. Due to environmental concerns and limited landfill space, the disposal of wastes has been subjected to strict regulations. Beneficial uses of wastes such as recycling/reuse, land applications, energy production, and resource recovery have been advocated greatly. This thesis presents the utilization of two types of solid waste: lignin and waste paper/plastic. Through thermochemical conversion, wastes can be converted to chemicals and energy. This aims at reducing the energy dependence on fossil fuels while achieving effective waste management. Lignin is …
Development Of A Decision Tool For Green Energy Investment In The Pioneer Valley, Benjamin R. Ewing
Development Of A Decision Tool For Green Energy Investment In The Pioneer Valley, Benjamin R. Ewing
Masters Theses 1911 - February 2014
We present the process followed to create a decision-aid tool for use in renewable energy and energy efficiency investment decisions. Our tool is targeted at home and small business owners in the Pioneer Valley. We begin with the development of two prototype tools. The first was created for the Hitchcock Center for the Environment, and is an Excel-based tool that allows users to select various combinations of technologies and instantly see the financial, environmental, and educational impacts of their choice. The second examines only two technologies, solar photovoltaics and combined heat and power, and uses a cost minimization approach. These …