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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number EP/E036287/1
Title High-efficiency Hybrid Solar Cells for Micro-generation
Status Completed
Energy Categories Renewable Energy Sources(Solar Energy, Photovoltaics) 100%;
Research Types Basic and strategic applied research 100%
Science and Technology Fields PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Chemistry) 25%;
PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Physics) 25%;
PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Metallurgy and Materials) 25%;
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 25%;
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator Professor P O'Brien
No email address given
Chemistry
University of Manchester
Award Type Standard
Funding Source EPSRC
Start Date 01 May 2007
End Date 30 April 2011
Duration 48 months
Total Grant Value £1,012,365
Industrial Sectors Electronics; Energy
Region North West
Programme Energy Research Capacity, Information & Communication Technology, Materials, Mechanical and Medical Eng, Physical Sciences
 
Investigators Principal Investigator Professor P O'Brien , Chemistry, University of Manchester (99.994%)
  Other Investigator Professor WR Flavell , Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester (0.001%)
Dr DJ Binks , Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester (0.001%)
Professor ML Turner , Chemistry, University of Manchester (0.001%)
Dr B Saunders , Materials, University of Manchester (0.001%)
Dr J Mutale , Electrical & Electronic Engineering, University of Manchester (0.001%)
Professor D (Daniel ) Kirschen , College of Engineering, University of Washington, USA (0.001%)
Web Site
Objectives
Abstract Widespread implementation of photovoltaic electricity to meet changing energy demands requires a step-change in the cost of photovoltaic power. This proposal assembles a consortium of chemists, physicists, materials scientists and electrical engineers from The University of Manchester and Imperial College London to address this need through the development of new low-cost, high-efficiency, demonstration solar cells for micro-generation.We propose new designs for hybrid organic/inorganic devices which integrate flexibility and stability with inexpensive materials and solution based processing. In one design, semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are used as the light absorber at the interface between a high mobility organic hole transporter and an array of directed metal oxide nano-rods, which act as the electron transporter. Independent optimisation of the optical and electronic properties will lead to design rules for maximising power conversion efficiency. In a second design, hybridpolymer/QD blend solar cells with novel metal oxide electrodes will be optimised. This proposal combines new approaches for ultra high efficiency with ultra low cost in the same device concept for the first time. Our aim is to construct affordable demonstration hybrid solar cells that could be mass-produced with long-term potential to achieve energy conversion efficiency of 10%
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Added to Database 22/02/07