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Challenge to classic theory of 'organic' solar cells could improve efficiency
https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2015/Q3/challenge-to-classic-theory-of-organic-solar-cells-could-improve-efficiency.html[font face=Serif][font size=5]Challenge to classic theory of 'organic' solar cells could improve efficiency[/font]
August 17, 2015
[font size=3]WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - New research findings contradict a fundamental assumption about the functioning of "organic" solar cells made of low-cost plastics, suggesting a new strategy for creating inexpensive solar technology.
…
Simulations showed flipping the configuration allowed for better charge separation and higher efficiency, and then laboratory experiments by Ray, Baradwaj and Khan validated the new concept.
…
"Currently, you have to design the solar cells according to how well two organic materials mix together in order to produce these numerous heterojunctions," Boudouris said. "But if you only needed one polymer instead of two, the manufacturability on the large scale could be very much improved, so this is an exciting development."
Findings also suggest that producing the cells out of purer polymers could result in more efficient solar cells, and the research likely will lead to a better understanding of the physics of how organic solar cells operate, Alam said.
…[/font][/font]
August 17, 2015
[font size=3]WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - New research findings contradict a fundamental assumption about the functioning of "organic" solar cells made of low-cost plastics, suggesting a new strategy for creating inexpensive solar technology.
…
Simulations showed flipping the configuration allowed for better charge separation and higher efficiency, and then laboratory experiments by Ray, Baradwaj and Khan validated the new concept.
…
"Currently, you have to design the solar cells according to how well two organic materials mix together in order to produce these numerous heterojunctions," Boudouris said. "But if you only needed one polymer instead of two, the manufacturability on the large scale could be very much improved, so this is an exciting development."
Findings also suggest that producing the cells out of purer polymers could result in more efficient solar cells, and the research likely will lead to a better understanding of the physics of how organic solar cells operate, Alam said.
…[/font][/font]