A novel sequential layer-by-layer sub-100 °C vacuum-sublimation method to fabricate planar-type organometal halide perovskite solar cells is developed. Very uniform and highly crystalline perovskite thin films with 100% surface coverage are produced. The cells attain maximum and average efficiencies up to 15.4% and 14%, respectively. This low- temperature, all-vacuum process is suitable for a wide variety of rigid and flexible applications.

Peach (Prunus persica L.) is a highly valuable crop species and is recognized by molecular researchers as a model fruit for the Rosaceae family. Using whole-genome sequencing data generated from 129 peach accessions, here we perform a comprehensive genome-wide association study for 12 key agronomic traits. We show that among the 10 qualitative traits investigated, nine exhibit consistent and more precise association signals than previously identified by linkage analysis. For two of the qualitative traits, we describe candidate genes, one potentially involved in cell death and another predicted to encode an auxin-efflux carrier, that are highly associated with fruit shape and non-acidity, respectively. Furthermore, we find that several genomic regions harbouring association signals for fruit weight and soluble solid content overlapped with predicted selective sweeps that occurred during peach domestication and improvement. Our findings contribute to the large-scale characterization of genes controlling agronomic traits in peach.

A novel donor-acceptor-acceptor (D-A-A) donor molecule, DTDCTB, in which an electron-donating ditolylaminothienyl moiety and an electron-withdrawing dicyanovinylene moiety are bridged by another electron-accepting 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole block, has been synthesized and characterized. A vacuum-deposited organic solar cell employing DTDCTB combined with the electron acceptor C(70) achieved a record-high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.81%. The respectable PCE is attributed to the solar spectral response extending to the near-IR region and the ultracompact absorption dipole stacking of the DTDCTB thin film.

The optical constants of a CH3NH3PbI3−xClxperovskite thin film were acquired for the first time.