In a paper about p-i-n planar perovskite solar cells (one of several perovskite cell architectures designed to collect and store...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
In a paper about p-i-n planar perovskite solar cells (one of several perovskite cell architectures designed to collect and store solar power), Lyndsey McMillon-Brown et al. describe a method for fabricating the cell's electronic transport layer (ETL) using a spray coating. Conventional ETL fabrication is accomplished using a solution of nanoparticles. The process can result in a loss of up to 80% of the solution, increasing the cost of manufacturing at scale—an issue that may be obviated by spray coating fabrication, which the researchers describe as 'highly reproducible, concise, and practical.'
What does the text most strongly suggest about conventional ETL fabrication?
It is less suitable for manufacturing large volumes of planar p-i-n perovskite solar cells than an alternative fabrication method may be.
It is more expensive when manufacturing at scale than are processes for fabricating ETLs used in other perovskite solar cell architectures.
It typically entails a greater loss of nanoparticle solution than do other established approaches for ETL fabrication.
It is somewhat imprecise and therefore limits the potential effectiveness of p-i-n planar perovskite solar cells at capturing and storing solar power.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "In a paper about p-i-n planar perovskite solar cells (one of several perovskite cell architectures designed to collect and store solar power)," |
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| "Lyndsey McMillon-Brown et al. describe a method for fabricating the cell's electronic transport layer (ETL) using a spray coating." |
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| "Conventional ETL fabrication is accomplished using a solution of nanoparticles." |
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| "The process can result in a loss of up to 80% of the solution, increasing the cost of manufacturing at scale—" |
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| "an issue that may be obviated by spray coating fabrication, which the researchers describe as 'highly reproducible, concise, and practical.'" |
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Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Researchers have developed a spray coating method for fabricating electronic transport layers that may address the cost and waste problems of conventional nanoparticle solution methods.
Argument Flow: The passage introduces research on a new spray coating fabrication method, explains the problems with conventional methods (high waste and cost), and presents spray coating as a potential solution with superior qualities.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? What the text most strongly suggests about conventional ETL fabrication
What type of answer do we need? An inference about the characteristics or limitations of the conventional method
Any limiting keywords? "most strongly suggests" - we need the best-supported inference
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The passage tells us several key things about conventional ETL fabrication: it uses nanoparticle solution, results in up to 80% solution loss, increases manufacturing costs at scale, and has problems that spray coating may solve
- The researchers describe spray coating as "highly reproducible, concise, and practical," implying conventional methods lack these qualities
- The right answer should focus on the main limitation identified - that conventional ETL fabrication is problematic for large-scale manufacturing due to waste and cost issues, and that an alternative method (spray coating) may be better suited for this purpose
It is less suitable for manufacturing large volumes of planar p-i-n perovskite solar cells than an alternative fabrication method may be.
✓ Correct
- This directly matches what the passage suggests - conventional methods have cost problems at scale due to 80% solution loss
- The spray coating alternative is described as solving these issues and being "highly reproducible, concise, and practical"
- The word "may" appropriately reflects the tentative language in the passage
It is more expensive when manufacturing at scale than are processes for fabricating ETLs used in other perovskite solar cell architectures.
✗ Incorrect
- The passage doesn't compare conventional ETL fabrication to processes used in other perovskite cell architectures
- It only compares conventional methods to the new spray coating approach for the same architecture
It typically entails a greater loss of nanoparticle solution than do other established approaches for ETL fabrication.
✗ Incorrect
- The passage doesn't compare conventional methods to "other established approaches for ETL fabrication"
- It only mentions the 80% loss figure for conventional methods without comparing to other established techniques
It is somewhat imprecise and therefore limits the potential effectiveness of p-i-n planar perovskite solar cells at capturing and storing solar power.
✗ Incorrect
- The passage doesn't mention imprecision or effectiveness limitations in capturing and storing solar power
- The problems identified are about waste and manufacturing costs, not cell performance