July 2020
Numerical Simulation of GaAs Solar Cell Under Electron and Proton Irradiation
Though gallium arsenide (GaAs) solar cells are proven to be relatively stable in space working conditions, they are prone to the effects of aging, which deteriorate their characteristics. The lifetime of solar cells is restricted by the degree of radiation damage that they receive. This important factor affects the performance of solar cells in practical applications. The aim of this article is to investigate by numerical simulation on the influence of aging on the main characteristics of GaAs solar cells in the space. Degradations of the electrical characteristics are simulated for over a period of 15 years. The atmosphere (AM0) conversion efficiency decreases with time from 19.08% for the unirradiated cells to 10.38% in 15 years of the mission in space. Even with low doses of particle irradiation, the performance is significantly reduced subsequent to usage over the period of 15 years of the mission in space. Numerical simulation results also reveal that the short-circuit current, the open-circuit voltage, and the conversion efficiency decline gradually with time. Moreover, the calculated evolutions are in good agreement with the measured behaviors of GaAs-based solar cells embedded in geostationary satellites during the Navigation Technology Satellite 2 (NTS-2), the Engineering Test Satellite V (ETS-V), and the NAVigation Satellite Timing And Ranging (NAVSTAR) missions, which substantiate the introduced aging law accounting for both the cumulated doses of particles and the different electron and hole traps in the structure.
Numerical Simulation of GaAs Solar Cell Under Electron and Proton Irradiation
Though gallium arsenide (GaAs) solar cells are proven to be relatively stable in space working conditions, they are prone to the effects of aging, which deteriorate their characteristics. The lifetime of solar cells is restricted by the degree of radiation damage that they receive. This important factor affects the performance of solar cells in practical applications. The aim of this article is to investigate by numerical simulation on the influence of aging on the main characteristics of GaAs solar cells in the space. Degradations of the electrical characteristics are simulated for over a period of 15 years. The atmosphere (AM0) conversion efficiency decreases with time from 19.08% for the unirradiated cells to 10.38% in 15 years of the mission in space. Even with low doses of particle irradiation, the performance is significantly reduced subsequent to usage over the period of 15 years of the mission in space. Numerical simulation results also reveal that the short-circuit current, the open-circuit voltage, and the conversion efficiency decline gradually with time. Moreover, the calculated evolutions are in good agreement with the measured behaviors of GaAs-based solar cells embedded in geostationary satellites during the Navigation Technology Satellite 2 (NTS-2), the Engineering Test Satellite V (ETS-V), and the NAVigation Satellite Timing And Ranging (NAVSTAR) missions, which substantiate the introduced aging law accounting for both the cumulated doses of particles and the different electron and hole traps in the structure.
June 2020
Appreciation of the delay in the benefits of the thermal energy released by PCM in civil engineering structures
To optimize de-icers use in winter on roads and airports, some sustainable solutions were promoted in a global project entitled "Roads of the Future". PCM into pavements were then considered to rely on the released enthalpy to delay the occurrence of black ice or snow accumulation. Coupling a spectroscopic monitoring of the PCM behavior and thermography on pavement surface indicated a significant delay between the phase change and the thermal manifestation of the released energy. Considering an accurate description of PCM according to cooling weather phenomena, these elements might provide valuable information for numerical models.
October 2019
Thermal properties of adobe employed in Peruvian rural areas: experimental results and numerical simulation of a traditional bio-composite material
Banto G., karkri M., lefebvre G., horn M., Solis J., Gomez M. Thermal properties of adobe employed in Peruvian rural areas: experimental results and numerical simulation of a traditional bio-composite material, Case Studies in Construction [...]
Correlation between transmittance and LWIR apparent emissivity of soda-lime glass during accelerated aging test for solar applications
V. Guiheneuf, O. Riou, F. Delaleux, P.-O. Logerais, J.-F. Durastanti. Correlation between transmittance and LWIR apparent emissivity of soda-lime glass during accelerated aging test for solar applications, ASME Journal of Solar Energy Engineering 139(4). DOI: [...]
Investigation of Fiber Surface Treatment Effect on Thermal, Mechanical and Acoustical Properties of Date Palm Fiber-Reinforced Cementitious Composites
Abstract High energy consumption in the building sector appeals for the implementation and the improvement of innovative approaches with low-environmental impact. The development of eco-friendly composites as insulating materials in buildings provides practical solutions for reducing energy consumption. Different mass proportions (2.5%, 10%, and 20%) of untreated and chemically treated palm fibers were mixed with (cement, water and sand) so as to prepare novel composites. Composites were characterized by measuring water absorption, thermal conductivity, compressive strength and acoustic transmission. The results reveal that the incorporation of untreated and chemically treated date palm fibers reduces novel composites’ thermal conductivity and the mechanical resistance. Thermal measurements have proved that the loading of fibers in composites decreases the thermal conductivity from 1.38 W m−1 K−1 for the reference material to 0.31 W m−1 K−1 for composites with 5% of treated and untreated fibers. The acoustical insulation capacity of untreated palm fiber-reinforced composites (DPF) was the highest at 20% fiber content, whereas treated palm fiber-reinforced composites (TPF) had the highest sound insulation coefficient for fiber content lower than 10%. Compressive strength, thermal conductivity and density correlation showed that only chemically treated fiber-reinforced composites (TPF) are good candidates for thermal and acoustic building insulations.