Abstract:
Textured transparent layers are formed on the incident light receiving surface of thin film solar cells to increase their efficiency by altering the incident light path and capturing a portion of the light reflected at the MLA. The textured transparent layer is an array of lenses of micrometer proportions such as hemispheres, hemi-ellipsoids, partial-spheres, partial-ellipsoids, cones, pyramids, prisms, half cylinders, or combinations thereof. A method of forming the textured transparent layer to the light incident surface of the solar cell is by forming an array of lenses from a photocurable resin and its subsequent curing. The photocurable resin can be applied by inkjet printing or can be applied by roll to roll imprinting or stamping with a mold.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention pertain to the use of alloyed semiconductor nanocrystals for use in solar cells. The use of alloyed semiconductor nanocrystals offers materials that have a flexible stoichiometry. The alloyed semiconductor may be a ternary semiconductor alloy, such as AxB1-xC or AB1-yCy, or a quaternary semiconductor alloy, such as AxByC1-x-yD, AxB1-xCyD1-y or ABxCyD1-x-y (where A, B, C, and D are different elements). In general, alloys with more than four elements can be used as well, although it can be much harder to control the synthesis and quality of such materials. Embodiments of the invention pertain to solar cells having a layer incorporating two or more organic materials such that percolated paths for one or both molecular species are created. Specific embodiments of the invention pertain to a method for fabricating nanostructured bulk heterojunction that facilitates both efficient exciton diffusion and charge transport. Embodiments of the subject invention pertain to a solar cell having an architecture that allows for efficient harvesting of solar energy. The organic solar cell architecture can incorporate a host/guest (or matrix/dopant) material system that utilizes the long diffusion lengths for triplet excitons without compromising light absorption efficiency.
Abstract:
A solar cell includes a low work function cathode, an active layer of an organic-inorganic nanoparticle composite, a ZnO nanoparticle layer situated between and physically contacting the cathode and active layers; and a transparent high work function anode that is a bilayer electrode. The inclusion of the ZnO nanoparticle layer results in a solar cell displaying a conversion efficiency increase and reduces the device degradation rate. Embodiments of the invention are directed to novel ZnO nanoparticles that are advantageous for use as the ZnO nanoparticle layers of the novel solar cells and a method to prepare the ZnO nanoparticles.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention are directed to quantum dot light emitting diodes (QD-LEDs) where the electron injection and transport layer comprises inorganic nanoparticles (I-NPs). The use of I-NPs results in an improved QD-LED over those having a conventional organic based electron injection and transport layer and does not require chemical reaction to form the inorganic layer. In one embodiment of the invention the hole injection and transport layer can be metal oxide nanoparticles (MO-NPs) which allows the entire device to have the stability of an all inorganic system and permit formation of the QD-LED by a series of relatively inexpensive steps involving deposition of suspensions of nanoparticles and removing the suspending vehicle.
Abstract:
A solar-powered lighting module is provided, including a solar cell for generating electricity when exposed to light, a battery for storing charge from the generated electricity, and a light generating device powered by the stored charge. In an embodiment, the module further includes a controller that regulates the current transmitted between the components of the module. In a further embodiment, the module is incorporated into an interface to an environmentally controlled space and can be positioned to light an interior portion of the space. In another embodiment, the solar cell and light generating device are transparent to allow light to pass through the interface. In a further embodiment, tinted-color conjugated polymers incorporated into the module limit the spectrum of light that can pass through the interface. In yet another embodiment, a method of modifying an existing interface with such a module is provided.
Abstract:
Textured transparent layers are formed on the incident light receiving surface of thin film solar cells to increase their efficiency by altering the incident light path and capturing a portion of the light reflected at the MLA. The textured transparent layer is an array of lenses of micrometer proportions such as hemispheres, hemi-ellipsoids, partial-spheres, partial-ellipsoids, cones, pyramids, prisms, half cylinders, or combinations thereof. A method of forming the textured transparent layer to the light incident surface of the solar cell is by forming an array of lenses from a photocurable resin and its subsequent curing. The photocurable resin can be applied by inkjet printing or can be applied by roll to roll imprinting or stamping with a mold.
Abstract:
An organic photosensitive optoelectronic device is formed in which the organic photoconductive materials are encapsulated by an electrode of the device. A first transparent film is provided that comprises a first electrically conductive material, arranged on a transparent substrate. A first photoconductive organic material is deposited over the first electrically conductive material. A metal is deposited at an initial rate of no more than 1 nm/s over the first photoconductive organic material, completely covering any exposed portions of the first photoconductive organic material and any exposed interfaces with the first photoconductive organic material to a thickness of no less than 10 nm. After the thickness of no less than 10 nm is obtained, the metal is sputtered at an increased rate at least three times the initial rate until a cumulative thickness of the metal completely covering the previously exposed portions of the first photoconductive organic material and the previously exposed interfaces with the first conductive organic material is at least 250 nm.
Abstract:
The preparation of microlenses on a substrate and light emitting devices employing microlenses on the surface from which light is emitted is described. The miscrolenses are formed on a surface that has been coated to have functionality that promotes a sufficiently large contact angle of the microlense on the surface and contains functionality for bonding the microlense to the coating. The microlenses are formed on the coating by deposition of a microlense precursor resin as a microdrop by inkjet printing and copolymerizing the resin with the bonding functionality in the coating. The coating can be formed from a mixture of silane coupling agents that contain functionality in some of the coupling agents that is copolymeriable with the resin such that the microlens can be formed and bonded to the surface by photopolymerization.
Abstract:
An organic device is provided, having a first electrode and a second electrode. A first organic layer is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first organic layer includes a first organic material, with a concentration of at least 50% molar, and a second organic material, with a concentration less than 50% molar. A second organic layer is also disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The second organic layer includes the second organic material, with a concentration of at least 50% molar, and the first organic material, with a concentration less than 50% molar. The first organic material may act as an n-dopant in the second organic layer, and the second organic material may act as a p-dopant in the first organic layer. Alternately, the first organic material may act as a p-dopant in the second organic layer, and the second organic material may act as an n-dopant in the first organic layer. Exemplary materials for the first and second organic materials include PTCDA and BTQBT. Devices that may be fabricated include organic light emitting devices, organic transistors, and organic photosensitive devices. Preferably, the electron affinity of the first organic material is within about 0.4 eV of the ionization potential of the second organic material, and more preferably within about 0.2 eV. The first and second organic layers may also be used in separate devices fabricated on the same substrate. A method of fabricating devices is provided, by co-depositing the first and second organic materials at different concentrations in different layers, such that a different material is the host in different layers.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention can provide organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) with enhanced outcoupling efficiency. Specific embodiments can enhance the outcoupling efficiency by more than four times. Embodiments of the invention incorporate microlens 5 arrays on the emitting surface of a top-emission OLED. Incorporation of microlens arrays on the emitting surface of a top-emission OLED can greatly enhance the outcoupling efficiency in OLEDs. With a microlens array attached to the emitting surface, much of, if not all, of the waveguiding modes can be extracted. The microlens array can be fabricated using the inkjet printing method or using other methods, including molding.