Navigation the world of bio-based materials and renewable energy can be a complex endeavor, given the multitude of terms and jargon involved.
This blog post aims to demystify this field by providing a comprehensive glossary designed to be accessible to the general public while also delving into specifics, particularly around organic and bio-based electronics, batteries, and solar cells.
A Comprehensive A-Z Glossary
Abundant Materials
Materials that are readily available in large quantities on Earth, such as silicon and aluminum.
Active Layer
The layer within an organic electronic device responsible for the generation and transport of charge carriers.
Anode/Cathode
Electrodes in a battery or cell where oxidation and reduction occur. In organic electronics, these facilitate electron or hole transport.
Band Gap
The energy difference between the valence and conduction bands in semiconductors, often tunable in organic materials.
Bio-based
Materials originating from living or once-living organisms, like bio-plastics made from corn.
Bio-composites
Composite materials made from organic fibers and a matrix, offering improved strength and reduced weight.
Bio-degradable
Materials capable of being decomposed naturally by microbial action.
Bio-economy
An economic model where materials, chemicals, and energy are derived from renewable biological resources.
Bio-electrocatalyst
A biological material facilitating electrochemical reactions in fuel cells or flow batteries.
Bio-fuels
Fuels derived from organic materials, such as ethanol or biodiesel.
Biomass
Organic material from plants and animals, often used as a renewable energy source.
Carbon Neutral
A state where the net carbon emissions are zero, typically by offsetting emitted carbon.
Carbon Sequestration
Long-term capture and storage of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Circularity
A model where waste is minimized by reusing, sharing, repairing, and recycling materials.
Closed-Loop System
A production and consumption model that eliminates waste through reusing and recycling.
Conductive Polymers
Organic polymers that conduct electricity, used in flexible electronics and solar cells.
Cradle-to-Cradle
Capturing all environmental impacts of a product from raw material to disposal.
Critical Materials
Materials crucial for economic and national security but with supply risks, such as rare earth elements.
Dopants
Substances added in small quantities to semiconductors to modify electrical properties.
Downcycling
Converting waste materials into new materials of lesser quality.
Ecodesign
Design that minimizes negative environmental impacts throughout a product's life.
Electron/Hole Mobility
How quickly electrons or holes can move through a semiconductor material.
Emissions
Releases of substances, often greenhouse gases, into the atmosphere.
Energy Density
Amount of energy stored in a given system, substance, or space.
Energy Harvesting
Capturing and storing energy from external sources, like sunlight in solar cells.
Flexible Electronics
Electronics on flexible substrates, often made of organic or bio-based materials.
Flow Batteries
Rechargeable batteries storing energy in liquid electrolytes. Bio-based flow batteries use organic redox-active molecules.
Footprint
Environmental impact measurement, often in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions.
Fuel Cells
Devices converting chemical energy into electrical energy. Bio-fuel cells utilize bio-based fuels or microbial metabolic processes.
Greenwashing
Making misleading claims about the environmental benefits of a product or service.
Inverted Architecture
A design improving stability in organic photovoltaic cells and allowing for a wider range of materials.
Ionic Liquids
Room-temperature liquid salts, often used as electrolytes in organic and bio-based batteries.
Joule Thief
A circuit extending battery life by enabling lower-voltage operation.
LCA (Life-Cycle Assessment)
Evaluating the environmental impact of a product throughout its lifecycle.
LCOE (Levelized Cost of Energy)
Comparing the cost-effectiveness of different energy sources, considering all related costs.
Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA)
Core component in a fuel cell. Organic or bio-based materials are being researched for sustainable options.
Organic Photodetectors
Devices made from organic materials that are sensitive to light.
Organic Redox Flow Batteries
Flow batteries using organic compounds as redox-active species for lower toxicity and better biodegradability.
Perovskite Solar Cells
Solar cells using a perovskite-structured compound for the light-harvesting layer.
Quantum Dots
Nanocrystals with quantum mechanical properties, used in displays and solar cells for their tunable band gaps.
Rare Materials
Materials not readily available due to rarity or extraction difficulties.
Redox Couples
Chemical species participating in reversible electrochemical reactions, especially in organic flow batteries.
Redox Reactions
Chemical reactions where the oxidation state of atoms changes, crucial for batteries and fuel cells.
Regenerative Agriculture
Farming practices improving soil health, capturing carbon, and maintaining ecosystems.
Renewable
Derived from resources naturally replenished, like sunlight, wind, or water.
Solid-State Battery
Batteries using solid electrodes and electrolytes for higher energy densities and safety.
Sourcing
Practice of finding and procuring materials, potentially sustainable based on methods and materials.
Toxicity
Degree to which a substance can harm living organisms.
Transparent Conductive Films
Thin films that are both electrically conductive and transparent, used in organic solar cells and displays.
Upcycling
Transforming waste materials into new materials of better quality or environmental value.
Waste Stream
Flow of waste from domestic or industrial areas to final disposal, including recycling and treatment.
Please let us know if you would like to add words to the list!
Comments