Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) were developed in 2009 and have led to a number of significant improvements in clean energy technology. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of PSCs has increased exponentially and currently stands at 22%. PSCs are transforming photovoltaic (PV) technology, outpacing many established PV technologies through their versatility and roll-to-roll manufacturing compatibility. The viability of low-temperature and solution-processed manufacturing has further improved their viability. This article provides a brief overview of the stoichiometry of perovskite materials, the engineering behind various modes of manufacturing by solution processing methods, and recommendations for future research to achieve large-scale manufacturing of high efficiency PSCs.

Abstract. The recent power-packed advent of perovskite solar cells is transforming photovoltaics (PV) with their superior efficiencies, ease of fabrication, and cost. This perovskite solar cell further boasts of many unexplored features that can further enhance its PV properties and lead to it being branded as a successful commercial product. This article provides a detailed insight of the organometal halide based perovskite structure, its unique stoichiometric design, and its underlying principles for PV applications. The compatibility of various PV layers and its fabrication methods is also discussed.

Pyroelectric multi-walled carbon nanotubes:polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF:MWCT) composite films have been fabricated by the solution casting technique. The pyroelectric and dielectric properties of the composite films were examined for their use in uncooled infrared detectors. The properties measured include: 1) dielectric constants and 2) pyroelectric coefficient as a function of temperature. From the foregoing parameters, materials Figures-of-merit, for infrared detection and thermal-vidicons, were calculated. The results indicated Figures-of-merit of composite film were higher than pristine polyvinylidene fluoride films.

This article examines various kinds of chemical sensors, their mechanism of operation and the ways to improve their performance. It reports the results of exploratory investigation of binary composite polycrystalline thick-films such as SnO2-WO3, SnO2-In2O3, and SnO2-ZnO for the detection of volatile organic compound (isopropanol) are reported. It also contains an overview on the status of the new types of metal oxide based nanostructured sensors, such as nano belts, nanorods, nanotubes, nanofibers, nanocomposites, etc.