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The composite cooling material from KAUST and KACST increased solar cell lifespan and cut electricity costs during tests in Saudi Arabia and the United States. Image Source: KAUST
Researchers from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) have developed composite cooling material. It uses air moisture for passive cooling without electricity. Solar cells with this material showed a 12.9% increase in power output in Saudi Arabia. The material also extended solar cell lifespan by over 200%. It reduced electricity generation costs by 18%. Tests were done in Saudi deserts and cool regions of the United States. The material performed well on high-efficiency solar cells designed by KAUST and KACST. It is low-cost and easy to apply. It also showed potential for light emitters and Group III-Nitride (III-N) laser technology. Early studies on these uses showed positive results.