{"id":31234,"key":"Degradation_protocol:_QAS","title":"Degradation protocol: QAS","latest":{"id":1208021,"timestamp":"2025-11-27T23:21:39Z"},"content_model":"wikitext","license":{"url":"https://www.appropedia.org/Appropedia:Copyrights","title":"CC-BY-SA-4.0"},"source":"{{QAS notice}}\n\n=== Degradation Preparation ===\n\n# Determine the temperature in which you would like to degrade the cells\n#* To degrade a cell at 75 C, the water bath must be at 90 C. This takes 40 minutes to reach the bath temperature\n# Determine which cells you would like to degrade.\n#* This will then determine the shape of the covers used when testing each cell so that the rest are not subjected to the light\n# Turn the solar simulator on and give it some time to warm up (30 minutes)\n# It is recommended to arrive 1 hour before desired testing start time.\n# For the first 24 hours, the desired times to take measurements are 0 min, 0.5min 1min, 5 min, 10 min, 20 min, 30 min, 1 hour, 2 hours, 5 hours, 10 hours, 20 hours, 24 hours.\n#* The Time Step Excel file contains the desired hours and the predicted times when the tests will be made.\n#* Typically, it takes 20-30 minutes to test 6 cells with 6 measurements on each\n\n=== Degradation test with PIN cells ===\n\nNote: With PIN cells, you can degrade at any temperature; however, when taking measurements, one can only do so at room temperature with the current rig.\n\n'''Running Tests'''\n\n# Run 10_10_27_stepup and chose a desired save directory\n# When the solar simulator is ready you can start the 0 min run\n# Once the bath is ready you can begin the degradation testing\n# Place the cell on the testing platform and allow it to degrade for the desired time\n#* Turn on the shutter\n# Once desired degradation time is complete, stop the timer and close the shutter\n# Remove the cell from the testing platform and place it in the testing holder\n# Place the probes on the aluminum contact and oxide layer\n#* Positive on the aluminum contact and negative on the oxide layer\n# Click measure on the program and record the data\n#* Note: the files are saved as the time that it was run so write notes to distinguish between files\n# Measure results 2 top, 2 mid and 2 bot\n# Move to the next cell and repeat\n# Once all the cells have been tested place it back onto the testing platform and open the shutter and resume the timer.\n# Repeat testing until the results (FF) have stabilized (usually about a week)\n\n=== Tips ===\n\n# Try to insulate the tygon tubing and the platform as best as possible\n# Take at least 6 measurements for each cell so that you can average results / get a feel for the cell\n# Each group of 6 cells with 6 measurements each takes ~30 minutes which will offset your clock.\n# See time table (excel) for how it works for the first day\n# After the first day only need to measure twice a day and to check on water levels\n#* Need to refill water bath every 10-14 hours.\n# When adding more water do it after the cell has been removed form the test set up and the light is off so that the cell is not exposed to a different degradation temperature\n# Make sure to wear proper protection at all times\n# Make sure to warn other lab users that a test is in session\n\n{{Page data\n| license = CC-BY-SA-3.0\n}}\n\n[[Category:Queens Applied Sustainability Group Lab Protocols]]"}