‘Miracle material’ achieves record-breaking solar cell efficiency

Chinese researchers report exceeding the theoretical limit for the first time, plus: Megalodon clues and tiny lasers could allow portable atomic clocks. The age of cheap, limitless solar power has inched closer thanks to a new world record from Chinese scientists. By pairing “miracle material” perovskites with conventional silicon, researchers achieved the highest solar cell efficiency ever recorded. Solar provided only 3% of global electricity in 2021, but innovations like this could dramatically increase its contribution over the coming decade. Jump to today’s [Must Read]( to learn how this efficiency milestone brings us closer to a clean energy future liberated from fossil fuels. The solar revolution is gaining momentum. Also today, product development and release face overlapping challenges due to the pressure to deliver high-quality products as rapidly as possible. [SAFe® for DevOps Practitioners]( you use a DevOps approach to resolving these challenges using examples and use cases. Good morning. I’m Tim, newsletter editor at IE. This is the Blueprint. Let's go! VIDEO OF THE DAY [Is Nikola Tesla Overrated?]( How powerful is the world's biggest chain gun? The devastating power of the XM913 50mm cannon makes even the Apache helicopter’s 30mm M230 look modest by comparison. SUPPORT INTERESTING ENGINEERING Invest in science and engineering Insider access to exclusive content, featuring riveting stories that take you right to the heart of the action. Engage with our thriving online community, dive into captivating science discoveries, and stay informed with our enlightening weekly premium newsletters. With IE+, quality reporting is more than just news - and it is Ad-Free. 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Must Read [🌅 China’s ‘miracle material’ achieves record-breaking solar panel energy]( Chinese solar firm LONGi has achieved a new world record efficiency of 33.9 percent for perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells. This tops the theoretical limit of 33.7 percent for standard single-junction cells, overcoming a major barrier in solar research. The advance was certified by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in the US. Perovskites enable more efficient solar absorption by responding to different light wavelengths than silicon. LONGi's expertise in commercial cells gives it an edge in bringing record-breaking tandem versions to market. The milestone underscores China’s ascendancy in solar innovation and its drive to dominate the renewable energy industry. Further improvements in perovskite cell versatility and durability are on the horizon. With fossil fuel dependence unsustainable, the solar efficiency breakthrough provides hope that renewables can scale up to meet growing energy demands. LONGi's technology could help make solar the world's leading electricity source. [[Read More]( [Innovation]( [✳️ Tiny lasers built on chips could revolutionize photonics]( Researchers created powerful femtosecond lasers small enough to fit on a fingertip. Using lithium niobate chips, the mini mode-locked lasers reach high peak power levels despite their size. This breakthrough toward integrated nanophotonic systems enables new widespread applications. Learn how tiny light sources could lead to mobile medical scans and advanced sensors. [[Read More]( [Transportation]( [🚌 UK’s 44-seat monster: Lyte unveils electric Skybus with 620-mile range]( London-based Lyte Aviation unveiled the design for a 44-seat electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft called SkyBus. With a 620-mile range and 186 mph cruising speed, SkyBus aims to revolutionize regional air transport through its unique tilt-wing vertical takeoff and landing capabilities. The ambitious aircraft faces daunting technical hurdles, with a prototype expected in 2024 and flight tests in 2025. Click below to learn more about Skybus. [[Read More]( [Science]( [🦈 Fossil link suggests warm-blooded sharks still rule the depths]( The smalltooth sand tiger shark shows signs of warm-bloodedness, challenging assumptions that this trait was rare. Physical evidence links the deep-sea shark to the extinct megalodon, the massive 50-foot ancestor of great white sharks that ruled the oceans until about 3.6 million years ago. As the planet warms, these findings raise concerns about climate change impacts on sharks. Learn more about the discovery that’s challenging beliefs about shark physiology. [[Read More]( job alert In this section you’ll find the latest jobs as featured on: [jobs.interestingengineering.com]( [Lead Nuclear Surety Software Engineer]( at Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh(US) [Front-End Software Engineer Devops - 1006]( at Reinventing Geospatial, Inc. (RGi) Chantilly(US) [Mechanical Technician]( at Brookhaven National Laboratory Upton(US) [Senior Windows Platform Engineer]( at Hudson River Trading New York(US) [Windows Engineer]( at Epic Madison(US) [Engineering Lead, Atlas Search]( at MongoDB San Francisco(US) [Engineering/ Systems Engineer I-II]( at TRISTAR Crane(US) QUESTION OF THE DAY What’s the most exciting possible outcome of fingertip-sized laser technology? [New sensors and health diagnostics]( [Revolutionizing photonics and optics]( [Portable atomic clocks]( [Miniaturized photonic devices]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS Yesterday, we asked you about the significance of recent developments in sustainable aviation. Hydrogen-powered aircraft won the most votes, but sustainable jet fuel was not far behind. 37% Hydrogen fuel cell-powered aircraft like Vertiia 29% Sustainable aviation fuels from renewable sources 22% Rimless electric jet motors without emissions 12% Advanced battery-electric planes and eVTOLs “Our goal is to revolutionize the field of ultrafast photonics by transforming large lab-based systems into chip-sized ones that can be mass produced and field deployed.” Qiushi Guo, CUNY Advance Science Research Center’s Photonics Initiative ENGINEER'S ARSENAL [Denali Drill Driver Kit]( [$66.38]( [DEWALT Power Tool Kit]( [$549]( [HOTO Cordless Drill Set]( [$229]( [Power Tool Organizer]( [$59.99]( AND ANOTHER THING - [Breakthrough liquid metal catalysts could cut emissions, save energy]( - [China’s gene-engineered baby monkey has green eyes, fluorescent fingers]( - [Aliens are silent because they may be going extinct — Part 1]( [premium] - [Israel reclaims ‘Iron Dome’ rocket defender from all-weather friend US]( - [James Webb: NASA’s time-traveler telescope now traces roots of Earth]( - [UK’s Bloodhound looks to revive, break land speed record at 763 mph]( - [NASA’s space telescope spots a milky way twin from the early universe]( - [Fossil teeth marks decode ancient marine lizards’ selective diet]( - [Your phone can now tell you how drunk you are]( - [Researchers decode 60% of enigmatic ancient Kushan script — here’s how]( [premium] Need help with advertising? 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