Solar photovoltaics (PV) are emerging as a major alternative energy source. The cost of PV electricity depends on the efficiency of conversion of light to electricity. Despite of steady growth in the efficiency for several decades, little has been achieved to reduce the impact of real-world operating temperatures on this efficiency. Here we demonstrate a highly efficient cooling solution to the recently emerging high performance plasmonic solar cell technology by integrating an advanced nano-coated heat-pipe plate. This thermal cooling technology, efficient for both summer and winter time, demonstrates the heat transportation capability up to ten times higher than those of the metal plate and the conventional wickless heat-pipe plates. The reduction in temperature rise of the plasmonic solar cells operating under one sun condition can be as high as 46%, leading to an approximate 56% recovery in efficiency, which dramatically increases the energy yield of the plasmonic solar cells. This newly-developed, thermally-managed plasmonic solar cell device significantly extends the application scope of PV for highly efficient solar energy conversion.
A constructed in-lake water quality mitigation system has proven itself to be effective at reducing Machado Lake phosphorus (P) levels, but ineffective at reducing nitrogen (N) levels. A combination of lake sediment dredging and capping, oxygenation, and a recirculating wetland have reduced lake water column P levels by nearly 50%, as compared to pre-project levels. Key to this result has been the dampening of seasonal P recycling in the sediments. A new lake water quality numerical model is presented, with applications to both pre- and post-project conditions. Model auditing has revealed very good results with respect to predicting mitigation impacts on P but poor results with respect to predicting the performance, or lack thereof, of the N mitigation system. Model sensitivity analyses indicate that the P reductions are primarily attributable to the sediment dredging and capping. Conversely, seasonal data, supported by modeling, suggest that the poor performance of the N mitigation system may be attributable to incomplete removal, or sequestration, of sediment N mass during dredging and/or a lack of impact from the oxygenation system. Future mitigation efforts for the lake should focus on reducing the substantial watershed nutrient loads to the lake and further in-lake P inactivation.
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