A new window into the secret lives of animals
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 1-Jul-2025 03:10 ET (1-Jul-2025 07:10 GMT/UTC)
Capturing the behaviour of animals in their natural habitat with high detail? Researchers from the Konstanz-based Cluster of Excellence “Collective Behaviour” developed a unique outdoor camera system to measure 3D movements and postures of wild birds. The system is mobile, robust to field conditions, and adaptable to a wide range of experiments – and species.
A recent study reveals that the Saimaa ringed seal is evolutionally much more differentiated than previously known. Indeed, researchers suggest that instead of a subspecies, it should be considered its own independent species.
The commercialization of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has garnered worldwide attention and many efforts were devoted on the improvement of efficiency and stability. Here, we estimated the cost effectivities of PSCs based on the current industrial condition. Through the analysis of current process, the manufacturing cost and the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of PSCs is estimated as 0.57 $ W-1 and 18–22 US cents (kWh)-1, respectively, and we demonstrate the materials cost shares 70% of the total cost. Sensitivity analysis indicates that the improvement of efficiency, yield and decrease in materials cost significantly reduce the cost of the modules. Analysis of the module cost and LCOE indicates that the PSCs have the potential to outperform the silicon solar cells in the condition of over 25% efficiency and 25-year lifetime in future. To achieve this target, it is essential to further refine the fabrication processes of each layer in the module, develop stable inorganic transport materials, and precisely control material formation and processing at the microscale and nanoscale to enhance charge transport.