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IIT Kanpur scientists use inkjet printers to ‘print’ organic solar cells

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8 years ago

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IIT Kanpur

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]By Namrata Dave

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur have used technique of inkjet printing to print thin nickel oxide films to make organic solar cells.

Organic solar cells contain carbon-based and light-absorbing materials that can convert solar energy to electricity. When a photon of light falls on an organic solar cell, its energy is absorbed by an electron of the light-absorbing material. With this energy, the electron is able to jump to a higher energy state. Due to this jump, a ‘hole’ is left back in the place where the electron earlier was. However, strong forces of attraction bind the electron and hole together, and current can only flow through the cell if the negatively charged electron and positively charged hole are separated and directed to different electrodes. This separation is achieved by an electron transporting layer and a hole transporting layer respectively. These layers are very thin films of compounds which are deposited on either side of the light absorbing material.

components of an organic solar cell

components of an organic solar cell

Nickel Oxide (NiO) demonstrates properties that are ideal for use as a hole transporting layer, but previous studies have shown that it has been a challenge to prepare thin NiO films on a large scale.

In their study, published in journal Scientific Reports, researchers from IIT Kanpur have attempted to overcome this roadblock by using the technique of inkjet printing. In inkjet printing of NiO films, the ‘ink’ is NiO and the ‘paper’ is a substrate of glass coated with a material that serves as the positive electrode. By testing various experimental conditions, the researchers were able to prepare uniform, smooth NiO films as thin as 18 nanometres by using NiO ink having drops of a specific size, and by providing the substrate with a UV-Ozone treatment prior to printing.

It is important for the hole transporting layer to be as transparent as possible to ensure that maximum light goes through to the light absorbing material. The researchers found that the inkjet-printed NiO film showed different degrees of transparency at different temperatures, and was able to transmit a maximum of 89% of the light falling on it, by thermally treating the film at 400 ºC.

The next part of this study was to test the performance of this inkjet-printed NiO film in an organic solar cell device. In such a device,the hole transporting layer must bond well with the light absorbing material to provide a smooth passage for the positively charged ‘holes’ of the material to reach an electrode. For this, they chemically and thermally treated the NiO film, and were able to drastically improve the conversion efficiency of the device from 0.75% to 2.67%.

NiO films can also be prepared by another technique known as ‘spin coating’, but this technique is not suitable for large scale production and a lot of raw material is wasted. This study shows that structurally and chemically identical NiO films can be easily manufactured on a large scale at a low cost by using the technique of inkjet printing.

This research team included Arjun Singh, Shailendra Kumar Gupta and Ashish Garg from Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur. (India Science Wire)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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iQOO Z10 with 7300mAh battery to launch in India on April 11

iQOO has confirmed the launch of Z10 in India on April 11, featuring a 7300mAh battery, which it claims is the biggest ever in the country.

Published

2 days ago

on

March 21, 2025

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iQOO Z10 official teaser showing back panel with round camera housing

Vivo’s sub-brand iQOO has officially confirmed the launch date of its next smartphone for the Indian market, the iQOO Z10, which is set to make its debut on April 11, 2025. The highlight of this upcoming device is its massive 7300mAh battery, which the company claims is the largest ever in an Indian smartphone.

The brand took to social media to announce the Z10, highlighting it as a phone designed for “mega taskers,” aiming to deliver longer battery life for users with heavy usage patterns. This large battery makes it a significant upgrade over the iQOO Z9, which came with a 5,000mAh battery and 44W fast charging.

First look reveals a bold design change

Alongside the launch date announcement, iQOO also revealed the first official teaser image of the Z10. The teaser shows off a marble-like back panel in white and a round camera housing, a notable departure from previous iQOO designs, with some resemblance to Realme’s design aesthetics. More color variants are expected to be unveiled at the launch.

While detailed specifications remain under wraps for now, the Z10 is expected to follow in the footsteps of the Z9, which impressed users with its MediaTek Dimensity 7200 chipset, 50MP Sony IMX882 camera with OIS, and 120Hz AMOLED display.

A quick look back at iQOO Z9

The iQOO Z9 was launched at under ₹20,000 with notable features like:

  • 6.67-inch 120Hz AMOLED display
  • Dimensity 7200 SoC
  • 8GB RAM with up to 256GB storage
  • 50MP Sony IMX882 main camera with OIS
  • 5,000mAh battery with 44W fast charging
  • Funtouch OS 14 based on Android 14

Following its launch, the Z9 series expanded with variants like the iQOO Z9x, Z9 Lite, Z9s, and Z9s Pro.

With the Z10, iQOO aims to set a new benchmark in battery performance, catering to a growing segment of users looking for ultra-long battery life without compromising on performance.

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Zepto launches quick delivery of iPhone, iPad, and Apple products in India

Zepto partners with Apple to provide 10-minute doorstep delivery of iPhones, iPads, AirPods, and more in select Indian locations, competing with Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart.

Published

4 days ago

on

March 19, 2025

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Zepto now offers quick delivery of Apple products in India

Zepto, the quick commerce platform, has announced its partnership with Apple to offer doorstep delivery of iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, AirPods, and other Apple accessories in India. The collaboration aims to provide instant access to premium Apple products, with deliveries promised in under 10 minutes.

Zepto expands Apple portfolio with latest devices

According to an official statement from Zepto, users in select locations can now order Apple’s recently launched iPhone 16E, AirPods 4, and the latest iPad models. The initiative aligns with the platform’s strategy to expand its electronics category, following its recent launch of quick deliveries for Vivo smartphones and Asus accessories in key Indian cities.

Speaking on the development, Abhimanyu Singh, Business Head of Electronics at Zepto, highlighted the growing demand for Apple products on the platform. He revealed that over one million users searched for Apple items in the past month, with a 35% month-on-month increase in searches.

Discounts, EMI offers, and availability

Zepto is offering various incentives, including launch discounts, no-cost EMI plans, and special offers on bank card payments. Customers can also avail of coupon-based and mobile wallet discounts to reduce costs further.

While the service is currently limited to select cities, it positions Zepto in direct competition with Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart, which also offer quick delivery of Apple products. Additionally, BigBasket has begun delivering iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus in partnership with Croma Electronics in cities like Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, and Mumbai.

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Google Pixel 9a launch today: What to expect from Google’s latest offering

Google Pixel 9a is set to launch today, bringing an upgraded camera, a bigger battery, and a powerful Tensor G4 chip. Expected to be priced around ₹50,000 in India, this device could shake up the mid-range market.

Published

4 days ago

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March 19, 2025

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Google Pixel 9a, Pixel 9a price in India, Pixel 9a specs, Pixel 9a features, Google Pixel launch, Pixel 9a camera, Tensor G4, mid-range smartphones

The highly anticipated Google Pixel 9a is set to launch today, March 19 in the US (March 20 in India), promising to be a game-changer in the mid-range smartphone market. With a powerful processor, impressive camera setup, and a long-lasting battery, the Pixel 9a is expected to give tough competition to other devices in its price bracket.

Camera, processor, and other key features

Google’s Pixel series is known for its camera capabilities, and the Pixel 9a is expected to continue that tradition. The device may feature:

48MP primary camera with a 13MP ultrawide lens, forming a dual-camera setup.

13MP selfie camera for high-quality front-facing shots.

Google Tensor G4 chipset, paired with 8GB LPDDR5X RAM and storage options of 128GB and 256GB.

It has Titan M2 security chip for enhanced privacy and data protection.

6.3-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate for a smooth visual experience.

Design, durability, and battery

The Pixel 9a is expected to follow the Pixel 9 series design language, featuring a smaller camera bump. Some other notable features include:

IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.

Gorilla Glass 3 protection for improved durability.

Available in Iris, Obsidian, Peony, and Porcelain colors for the 128GB model, while the 256GB variant will come in Iris and Obsidian.

A massive 5,100mAh battery, the biggest ever in a Pixel device, with 23W wired charging and 7.5W wireless charging.

Expected pricing in India and the US

With recent smartphone pricing trends becoming unpredictable, Google Pixel 9a’s price is expected to be a key factor in its success. Reports suggest a price tag of around $500 in the US, while in India, it could be priced at just over ₹50,000, similar to its predecessor, the Pixel 8a (₹52,999 for 128GB). Some leaks even hint at a sub-₹50,000 pricing, making it a strong contender in the mid-range segment.

With the official Pixel 9a launch just hours away, more details on pricing and availability will soon be revealed. Stay tuned for updates as Google unveils its latest mid-range smartphone.

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