Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

Volume 2 Issue 5, May 2017

Traffic control in silicon

Back-contacted silicon solar cells with interdigitated passivated contacts have high efficiencies but are complex to manufacture. Tomasi et al. now report a simple process to self-align the two types of electronic contacts based on the surface-dependent crystalline growth of silicon and fabricate solar cells with a certified efficiency above 22%.

See Tomasi et al. 2, 17062 (2017).

Image: Tomasi et al. Cover design: Alex WIng.

Editorial

  • Disruption is often a bad word in established industries, and electricity generation is no exception. But with silicon solar cells getting ever closer to efficiency limits, innovative solutions are needed.

    Editorial

    Advertisement

Top of page ⤴

Research Highlights

Top of page ⤴

News & Views

  • The deployment of Li–air batteries is hindered by severe parasitic reactions during battery cycling. Now, the reactive singlet oxygen intermediate is shown to substantially contribute to electrode and electrolyte degradation.

    • Alan C. Luntz
    • Bryan D. McCloskey
    News & Views
  • Oil and gas extraction via hydraulic fracturing is controversial, with government support but mixed public opinion. Deliberative research shows that securing public support may be difficult because citizens in the United States and United Kingdom are sceptical of government and industry motives.

    • Philip Macnaghten
    News & Views
  • Silicon-based photovoltaics dominate the market. A study now sets a new record efficiency for large-area crystalline silicon solar cells, placing the theoretical efficiency limits within reach.

    • Pierre-Jean Ribeyron
    News & Views
  • Multiple exciton generation, in which two electron–hole pairs are generated from the absorption of one high-energy photon, has been demonstrated to improve efficiency in quantum-dot-based solar cells. Now, a photoelectrochemical system using PbS quantum dots is shown to drive hydrogen evolution with external quantum efficiency over 100%.

    • Mikhail Zamkov
    News & Views
Top of page ⤴

Reviews

  • Publically funded energy technology research is critical for a successful low–carbon energy transition, but future uncertainty means decision–making is difficult. This Review explores the role of expert elicitations, integrated assessment models and decision frameworks in informing energy technology policy.

    • Laura Díaz Anadón
    • Erin Baker
    • Valentina Bosetti

    Nature Outlook:

    Review Article
Top of page ⤴

Research

Top of page ⤴

Search

Quick links