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:
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:
A device is provided having a first electrode, a second electrode, a first photoactive region having a characteristic absorption wavelength λ1 and a second photoactive region having a characteristic absorption wavelength λ2. The photoactive regions are disposed between the first and second electrodes, and further positioned on the same side of a reflective layer, such that the first photoactive region is closer to the reflective layer than the second photoactive region. The materials comprising the photoactive regions may be selected such that λ1 is at least about 10% different from λ2. The device may further comprise an exciton blocking layer disposed adjacent to and in direct contact with the organic acceptor material of each photoactive region, wherein the LUMO of each exciton blocking layer other than that closest to the cathode is not more than about 0.3 eV greater than the LUMO of the acceptor material.
Abstract:
A device is provided having a first electrode, a second electrode, a first photoactive region having a characteristic absorption wavelength λ1 and a second photoactive region having a characteristic absorption wavelength λ2. The photoactive regions are disposed between the first and second electrodes, and further positioned on the same side of a reflective layer, such that the first photoactive region is closer to the reflective layer than the second photoactive region. The materials comprising the photoactive regions may be selected such that λ1 is at least about 10% different from λ2. The device may further comprise an exciton blocking layer disposed adjacent to and in direct contact with the organic acceptor material of each photoactive region, wherein the LUMO of each exciton blocking layer other than that closest to the cathode is not more than about 0.3 eV greater than the LUMO of the acceptor material.
Abstract:
A device is provided having a first electrode, a second electrode, a first photoactive region having a characteristic absorption wavelength λ1 and a second photoactive region having a characteristic absorption wavelength λ2. The photoactive regions are disposed between the first and second electrodes, and further positioned on the same side of a reflective layer, such that the first photoactive region is closer to the reflective layer than the second photoactive region. The materials comprising the photoactive regions may be selected such that λ1 is at least about 10% different from λ2. The device may further comprise an exciton blocking layer disposed adjacent to and in direct contact with the organic acceptor material of each photoactive region, wherein the LUMO of each exciton blocking layer other than that closest to the cathode is not more than about 0.3 eV greater than the LUMO of the acceptor material.
Abstract:
A method which lower the series resistance of photosensitive devices includes providing a transparent film of a first electrically conductive material arranged on a transparent substrate; depositing and patterning a mask over the first electrically conductive material, such that openings in the mask have sloping sides which narrow approaching the substrate; depositing a second electrically conductive material directly onto the first electrically conductive material exposed in the openings of the mask, at least partially filling the openings; stripping the mask, leaving behind reentrant structures of the second electrically conductive material which were formed by the deposits in the openings of the mask; after stripping the mask, depositing a first organic material onto the first electrically conductive material in between the reentrant structures; and directionally depositing a third electrically conductive material over the first organic material deposited in between the reentrant structures, edges of the reentrant structures aligning deposition so that the third electrically conductive material does not directly contact the first electrically conductive material, and does not directly contact the second electrically conductive material.
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:
A device is provided having a first electrode, a second electrode, a first photoactive region having a characteristic absorption wavelength λ1 and a second photoactive region having a characteristic absorption wavelength λ2. The photoactive regions are disposed between the first and second electrodes, and further positioned on the same side of a reflective layer, such that the first photoactive region is closer to the reflective layer than the second photoactive region. The materials comprising the photoactive regions may be selected such that λ1 is at least about 10% different from λ2. The device may further comprise an exciton blocking layer disposed adjacent to and in direct contact with the organic acceptor material of each photoactive region, wherein the LUMO of each exciton blocking layer other than that closest to the cathode is not more than about 0.3 eV greater than the LUMO of the acceptor material.
Abstract:
A device is provided having a first electrode, a second electrode, a first photoactive region having a characteristic absorption wavelength λ1 and a second photoactive region having a characteristic absorption wavelength λ2. The photoactive regions are disposed between the first and second electrodes, and further positioned on the same side of a reflective layer, such that the first photoactive region is closer to the reflective layer than the second photoactive region. The materials comprising the photoactive regions may be selected such that λ1 is at least about 10% different from λ2. The device may further comprise an exciton blocking layer disposed adjacent to and in direct contact with the organic acceptor material of each photoactive region, wherein the LUMO of each exciton blocking layer other than that closest to the cathode is not more than about 0.3 eV greater than the LUMO of the acceptor material.
Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to organic photodetectors. Further, it is, directed to an optimized organic photodetector having reduced dark current and high efficiency and response time.