Abstract: An energy converting device includes a base, which is fixed; a methylammonium lead bromide (MAPbBr3) material having a first end fixedly attached to the base and a second end free to move; and an actuator block attached to the second end of the MAPbBr3 material. The actuator block moves relative to the base when the MAPbBr3 material is exposed to light.

Abstract: A photodetection device is configured to detect light and the photodetection device includes a substrate having a largest surface; a dielectric formed over the largest surface of the substrate; a first metallic electrode formed on the dielectric; a second metallic electrode formed on the dielectric, at a given distance from the first metallic electrode, to form a channel; and a single-crystal linear-chain polyfluorinated dibromo-platinum(II) diimine complex located in the channel.

Abstract: A two-dimensional (2D) hybrid perovskite based opto-electric device includes first and second 2D perovskite layers extending along a given plane; an organic layer sandwiched between the first and second 2D perovskite layers, and extending along the given plane; an external organic layer formed on the first 2D perovskite layer and configured to directly face an ambient of the opto-electric device and to extend along the given plane; and electrical pads directly formed over the external organic layer. A roughness of the external organic layer is smaller than 10 nm.

Abstract: A method for forming a single atom catalyst on a two-dimensional support material involves providing the two-dimensional support material. The two-dimensional support material is combined with at least two heteroatoms and a metal to form a solution. Liquid is removed from the solution to form a material that includes the two-dimensional support material, the at least two heteroatoms, and the metal. The material including the two-dimensional support material, the at least two heteroatoms, and the metal is heated to form the single atom catalyst that includes single atoms of the metal. The at least two heteroatoms bind the single atoms of the metal to, and stabilize the single atoms of the metal on, the two-dimensional support material.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a p-type silicon layer having a first side and a second side and an n-type silicon layer having a first side and a second side. The first side of the n-type silicon layer is arranged on the second side of the p-type silicon layer. The solar cell also includes a first metal electrode arranged on the first side of the p-type silicon layer and a second metal electrode arranged on the second side of the n-type silicon layer. The second metal electrode includes an MXene.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a photodetector and/or photovoltaic device comprising a semiconducting substrate and a solution including at least GQD and PEDOT:PSS, the solution deposited as a layer on the semiconducting substrate. Embodiments of the present disclosure further describe a method of fabricating a photodetector and/or photovoltaic device comprising contacting an amount of GQD with PEDOT:PSS sufficient to form a solution; and depositing the solution as a layer on a semiconducting substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a photodetector and/or photovoltaic device comprising a semiconducting substrate and a solution including at least GQD and PEDOT:PSS, the solution deposited as a layer on the semiconducting substrate. Embodiments of the present disclosure further describe a method of fabricating a photodetector and/or photovoltaic device comprising contacting an amount of GQD with PEDOT:PSS sufficient to form a solution; and depositing the solution as a layer on a semiconducting substrate.

Abstract: A self-powered and flexible photodetector system includes a triboelectric nanogenerator, TENG, device configured to generate an electrical current from a mechanical movement; a photodetector, PD, sensor, formed on the TENG device and configured to detect a light; and a voltage regulating circuit electrically connected to the TENG device and the PD sensor and configured to regulate a voltage provided by TENG device to the PD sensor. The PD sensor and the TENG device are flexible.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell comprising a semiconductor photoelectrode configured with at least two light-harvesting faces; a catalyst layer deposited on at least one light-harvesting face and in contact with an electrolyte; a reference electrode deposited on at least another light-harvesting face; and a counter electrode in contact with the electrolyte.

Abstract: A photoelectrochemical device includes a substrate having a metallic electrocatalyst, a first ohmic contact layer arranged on the substrate, a tandem photoabsorber arranged on the first ohmic contact layer, a second ohmic contact layer arranged on the tandem photoabsorber, and a protective layer arranged on the second ohmic contact layer. The substrate is comprised of a different material than the tandem photoabsorber.

Abstract: A photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen is described herein. The PEC cell includes a first side configured to capture electromagnetic energy. The PEC cell further includes a second side opposed to the first side comprising an anode electrode and a cathode electrode. The PEC cell further includes a buried p-n junction that converts electromagnetic energy received at the first side into electrical energy. The electrical energy is used to catalyze oxygen and hydrogen at the second side of the PEC cell.

Abstract: An atmospheric-closed plant-growing system including an annulus that is closed from an ambient of the system; a receptacle located inside the annulus and configured to host a plant; a distribution system located inside the annulus and configured to provide food to the plant; and a temperature distribution system extending into the annulus and configured to provide air at a preset temperature inside the annulus.

Abstract: A triboelectric photodetector system that includes a triboelectric device configured to generate an electrical current based on a mechanical movement, the triboelectric device having a first compounded layer and a second compounded layer partially separated by a gap; a photodetector, PD, sensor formed on the triboelectric device and configured to transform light energy into electrical energy with a perovskite layer; a first electrical connection that electrically connects a first electrode of the PD sensor to the first compounded layer of the triboelectric device; and a second electrical connection that electrically connects a second electrode of the PD sensor to the second compounded layer of the triboelectric device. The triboelectric device electrically biases the PD sensor to facilitate electrical carrier extraction from the perovskite layer of the PD sensor.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device that absorbs optical energy and generates electrical energy, the photovoltaic device including a base; a two-dimensional (2D) organic-inorganic perovskite layer assembly located on the base, wherein the 2D organic-inorganic perovskite layer assembly includes an inorganic layer sandwiched by first and second organic layers; and first and second electrodes formed on a surface of the 2D organic-inorganic perovskite layer assembly, opposite to the base. A location of the first and second electrodes is selected to define a layer-edge 0° surface, which extends within the surface of the 2D organic-inorganic perovskite layer assembly, parallel to an edge of the inorganic layer.

Abstract: A two-dimensional (2D) hybrid perovskite based opto-electric device includes first and second 2D perovskite layers extending along a given plane; an organic layer sandwiched between the first and second 2D perovskite layers, and extending along the given plane; an external organic layer formed on the first 2D perovskite layer and configured to directly face an ambient of the opto-electric device and to extend along the given plane; and electrical pads directly formed over the external organic layer. A roughness of the external organic layer is smaller than 10 nm.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device that absorbs optical energy and generates electrical energy, the photovoltaic device including a base; a two-dimensional (2D) organic-inorganic perovskite layer assembly located on the base, wherein the 2D organic-inorganic perovskite layer assembly includes an inorganic layer sandwiched by first and second organic layers; and first and second electrodes formed on a surface of the 2D organic-inorganic perovskite layer assembly, opposite to the base. A location of the first and second electrodes is selected to define a layer-edge 0° surface, which extends within the surface of the 2D organic-inorganic perovskite layer assembly, parallel to an edge of the inorganic layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell comprising a semiconductor photoelectrode configured with at least two light-harvesting faces; a catalyst layer deposited on at least one light-harvesting face and in contact with an electrolyte; a reference electrode deposited on at least another light-harvesting face; and a counter electrode in contact with the electrolyte.

Abstract: An energy converting device includes a base, which is fixed; a methylammonium lead bromide (MAPbBr3) material having a first end fixedly attached to the base and a second end free to move; and an actuator block attached to the second end of the MAPbBr3 material. The actuator block moves relative to the base when the MAPbBr3 material is exposed to light.

Abstract: An optical device includes an active region and packaging glass located on top of the active region. A top surface of the packaging glass includes hierarchical nanostructures comprised of honeycombed nanowalls (HNWs) and nanorod (NR) structures extending from the HNWs.

Abstract: Deformable optoelectronic devices are provided, including photodetectors, photodiodes, and photovoltaic cells. The devices can be made on a variety of paper substrates, and can include a plurality of fold segments in the paper substrate creating a deformable pattern. Thin electrode layers and semiconductor nanowire layers can be attached to the substrate, creating the optoelectronic device. The devices can be highly deformable, e.g. capable of undergoing strains of 500% or more, bending angles of 25° or more, and/or twist angles of 270° or more. Methods of making the deformable optoelectronic devices and methods of using, e.g. as a photodetector, are also provided.