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OVERVIEW OF PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR CELL R&D CAPABILITY IN CANADA ED. 4 (2009-2012)

Report – 2013-125 (RP-TEC) 411-PVINOV April, 2013

Report – 2013-125 (RP-TEC) 411-PVINOV April, 2013

OVERVIEW OF PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR CELL R&D CAPABILITY IN CANADA ED. 4 (2009-2012)

Prepared by:

CanmetENERGY, Varennes Research Centre

Dr. Y. Poissant & Dr. A.C. Vikis

April 2013

Report – 2013-125 (RP-TEC) 411-PVINOV - i - April, 2013

CITATION

Poissant, Y., Vikis, A. C., Overview of Photovoltaic Solar Cell R&D Capability in Canada, report # 2013-125 (RP-TEC), CanmetENERGY, Natural Resources Canada, April 2013, 71 pp.

DISCLAIMER

This report is distributed for information and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Government of Canada nor constitutes an endorsement of any commercial product or person. Neither Canada nor its ministers, officers, employees or agents make any warranty in respect to this report or assume any liability arising out of this report.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The preparation of this report was funded by Natural Resources Canada through the Program on Energy Research and Development.

Report – 2013-125 (RP-TEC) 411-PVINOV - ii - April, 2013

TABLE OF CONTENT

Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 1 Background ................................................................................................................................................... 1 Canadian University Capability in Photovoltaic Solar Cell R&D .................................................................... 2 Establishment of a Canadian Photovoltaics Innovation Network ................................................................ 8 Other Photovoltaic Research and Development Support in Canada ............................................................ 9 Conclusions ................................................................................................................................................. 10 References .................................................................................................................................................. 12 Appendix ..................................................................................................................................................... 13

Aimez, Vincent; Université de Sherbrooke ................................................................................................ 14 Arès, Richard; Université de Sherbrooke ................................................................................................... 16 Baumgartner, Thomas; University of Calgary ............................................................................................ 18 *Bender, Timothy; University of Toronto .................................................................................................. 19 *Berlinguette, Curtis P.; University of British Columbia ............................................................................ 20 Brett, Michael; NRC – National Institute for Nanotechnology / University of Alberta .............................. 21 Buriak, Jillian; NRC – National Institute for Nanotechnology / University of Alberta ................................ 22 Côté, Michel; Université de Montréal ....................................................................................................... 23 Demopoulos, George P.; McGill University ............................................................................................... 24 *Ding, Zhifeng; University of Western Ontario.......................................................................................... 26 *El Khakani, M. A. ; Institut national de recherche scientifique ................................................................ 27 *Gao Jun; Queens University ..................................................................................................................... 28 *Gaspari, Franco; University of Ontario Institute of Technology ............................................................ 29 Hall, Trevor J.; University of Ottawa .......................................................................................................... 30 Hinzer, Karin; University of Ottawa ........................................................................................................... 31 Holdcroft, Steven; Simon Fraser University ............................................................................................... 33 Kherani, Nazir P.; University of Toronto .................................................................................................... 34 Kleiman, Rafael; McMaster University ...................................................................................................... 36 Koivisto, Bryan D. ; Ryerson University ..................................................................................................... 38 LaPierre, Ray; McMaster University .......................................................................................................... 40 Leclerc, Mario; Laval University ................................................................................................................ 41 *Li, Yuning; University of Waterloo ........................................................................................................... 43 Ma, Dongling; Institut national de la recherche scientifique ..................................................................... 44 Madden, John; University of British Columbia .......................................................................................... 45 Marsan, Benoît; Université du Québec à Montréal ................................................................................... 46 *Mi, Zetian; McGill University ................................................................................................................... 47 Morin, Jean-François; Laval University ...................................................................................................... 48 Nunzi, Jean-Michel; Queens University ..................................................................................................... 49 *O’Leary, Stephen; University of British Columbia .................................................................................... 50 *Pearce, Joshua; Queens University .......................................................................................................... 51 *Perepichka, Dmitrii; McGill University ..................................................................................................... 52 Preston, John; McMaster University ......................................................................................................... 54 Sargent, Ted; University of Toronto .......................................................................................................... 55 Santato, Clara; École Polytechnique de Montréal ..................................................................................... 57 Sazonov, Andrei; University of Waterloo ................................................................................................... 58 *Seferos, Dwight; University of Toronto ................................................................................................... 59 *Semenikhin, Oleg; University of Western Ontario .................................................................................. 60 *Shankar, Karthik; NRC – National Institute for Nanotechnology / University of Alberta ........................ 61 Sivoththaman, Siva; University of Waterloo .............................................................................................. 62 Skene, Will; Université de Montréal .......................................................................................................... 64 Wartak, Marek S. ; Wilfrid Laurier University ........................................................................................... 65

Report – 2013-125 (RP-TEC) 411-PVINOV - iii - April, 2013

Report – 2013-125 (RP-TEC) 411-PVINOV - 1 - April, 2013

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report is the fourth of a series of reviews of the R&D capability in Canadian universities in the field of photovoltaic solar cells carried out by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), CanmetENERGY, located at Varennes, Quebec. The objective of these reviews, which began in 2004, is to highlight the activities done in this area in Canada, monitor the R,D&D investments and disseminate the information gathered in order to facilitate the creation of partnerships amongst the researchers, government, and industry.

Worldwide demand for environmentally clean and sustainable energy continues to spur renewable energy development programs, including PV solar to electrical energy conversion. During the period under review (FY09/10 through to FY11/12) Canadian photovoltaic R&D capability was for the most part funded by NSERC at a level of about $4 million per annum and was involved in a broad range of basic research (organic solar cells, dye sensitized solar cells, thin silicon devices, etc.). PV R&D is performed in about 20 Canadian universities, mostly in Ontario and Quebec, within various science (chemistry, physics, materials science) and engineering (physics, chemical, electrical, computer, information technology, etc.) departments. According to this review, the fraction of the university groups working in collaboration with a national or international manufacturing partner continues to increase. Also, Canadian university capability to support research, development and implementation of photovoltaic solar cells in Canada is ample and diverse; and, as evidenced by the kind of research and the volume and quality of publications, the research is forefront and world-class.

In addition to NSERC funded R&D in Canadian universities, the National Research Council of Canada is also involved in photovoltaic R&D through the NRC National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT) in collaboration with the University of Alberta, and through project SUNRISE in collaboration with the University of Ottawa and a number of industrial partners. Also, Sustainable Development Technology Canada is funding several PV development & demonstration projects in cooperation with universities and Canadian industry.

The establishment by NSERC of the Photovoltaics Innovation Network at McMaster was a major boost to university R&D on photovoltaic devices, and eventually photovoltaic technology development in Canada. The new Network has improved the level of collaboration amongst researchers, as well as with industry, and is making significant R&D breakthroughs.

BACKGROUND Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), CanmetENERGY, located at Varennes, Quebec, manages the Integration of Renewable and Distributed Energy Resources Program, which includes Solar Photovoltaic Energy. Since 2004, CanmetENERGY monitors the activities of Canadian universities in the field of photovoltaic solar cell R&D. This report is the fourth of a series of reviews [1, 2, 3] of the R&D capability in Canadian universities in the field of photovoltaic solar cells. The objective of these reviews is to highlight the activities done in this area in Canada, monitor the R, D&D investments and disseminate the information gathered in order to facilitate the creation of partnerships amongst the researchers, government, and industry.

According to the 2013 IEA Photovoltaic Power Systems Program report [4], in 2012 photovoltaic (PV) technology for generating electricity amounted to a total installed capacity of about 96.5 GW [4]. Some 28 GW were installed in 2012, about the same capacity as in 2011. In Canada, the domestic market has


been growing on average at about 26% per year since 1993 and about 48% since 2000. It amounted to a total installed grid-connected capacity of 766 MW in 2012 compared to 497 MW in 2010 [5]. The Province of Ontario’s feed-in tariff (FIT) program, launched in 2006 and expanded in 2009, has been a major stimulus. In 2012, it contributed 88 MW of grid-connected applications for residential and building-integrated applications, and 181 MW for large, ground-mounted, utility-scale systems. Under the FIT program, PV systems can enter into a 20-year contract to receive a fixed price of up to $0.549 CAD/kWh for the generated electricity.

Today, the main drawback of PV is still its relatively high price compared to electricity generated from conventional fossil fuels, nuclear, or hydroelectric power generation, partly because of solar cell production costs. However, PV module prices are coming down at a rate of about 30% per annum due to investments in technology improvements, plant automation and large manufacturing capacities. There is presently an expectation that the cost-reduction trend will continue further with continued research, development and demonstration (R, D&D). This high potential in market growth is spurring worldwide investments in PV R, D&D, making it one of the highest recipients of renewable energy technology investments. Public funding for PV R, D&D in IEA Photovoltaic Power System (PVPS) member countries amounted to $610 M ($US) in 2011 [4]. In Canada, public funding of PV R, D&D in 2012 amounted to $15 M [5]. Some of the leading countries in terms of R, D&D funding include the US ($223 M), Japan ($102 M), Korea ($94 M), and Germany ($78 M). Global investments in technology development and manufacturing will be required in order to bring down further the costs of PV.

In Canada, the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and other provincial R&D programs targeting sustainable energy development are the main funding sources for material and solar cell research in about 20 institutions, mainly universities, included in this report (refer to Table 1-3).

CANADIAN UNIVERSITY CAPABILITY IN PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR CELL R&D

This document is an update of previous reviews [1,2,3], the latest carried out in 2009 [3], and focuses on R&D capability of Canadian universities in the field of photovoltaic solar cell research for the period covering April 2009 to March 2012. This update is based on information provided by researchers and the main R&D funding agencies, as well as information available from public sources through the internet. Research, carried out at Canadian universities, is summarized in Table 1 and discussed in more detail in Appendix 1.

According to the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) data [6], outlined in Table 1, Canadian university research underlying photovoltaics is carried out in about 50 university laboratories located mostly in Ontario (25) and Quebec (17), and to a lesser extent in Alberta and British Columbia. The research is multidisciplinary and covers a rather broad spectrum of forefront R&D. It is mostly performed in departments of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (21), Electrical and Computer Engineering (13), Physics (7), Materials Science, and Mechanical Engineering. According to information provided by lead university scientists, more than about 400-450 full-time equivalent researchers (professors, postdoctoral fellows, research associates, graduate students, and technologists) are presently involved in PV solar cell R&D in Canadian universities.


A key R&D highlight during this reporting period was the development of the most efficient colloidal quantum dot solar cell as of 2011 by the Sargent group at the University of Toronto and other partners [10]. The team was able to make solar cells from quantum dots with a conversion efficiency up to 6%, a record result certified by Newport which is an external laboratory accredited by the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Table 1. Researcher / Institution / Department / PV Research Area*

(*According to NSERC grant titles for FY09/10, FY10/11, FY11 /12) [6]

Researcher University Department PV Research Area* Adronov, Alex McMaster

University, ON Chemistry Covalent and supramolecular polymer

chemistry of carbon nanotubes; Development of nanostructured photovoltaic devices

Aimez, Vincent Université de Sherbrooke, QC

Electrical Engineering and Information Technology

Innovative photonic devices realization using heterogeneous integration and quantum well dot intermixing; nanointegration for sustainable photonics solutions; solar cell development for integration to solar cogeneration plants working at high temperature.

Arès, Richard Université de Sherbrooke, QC

Mechanical Engineering

Semiconductors using nanostructures for record increases in solar-cell efficiency; chemical beam epitaxy for photovoltaics and GaN-based electronics; effects of bulk and surface defects in germanium on the performance of multijunction solar cells

Barati, Mansoor University of Toronto, ON

Chemistry Low cost production of solar grade silicon from metallurgical grade silicon

Baumgartner, Thomas

University of Calgary, AB

Chemistry Organophosphorus pi-conjugated materials for organic electronics

Beatty, John Thomas

University of British Columbia, BC

Microbiology and Immunology

Engineering of photosynthesis proteins and attachment to electrodes for conversion of solar light to electrical power

Bender, Timothy University of Toronto, ON

Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry

Subphthalocyanines to achieve broad spectral absorption and produce a photocurrent in an organic solar cell

Berlinguette, Curtis University of British Columbia, BC

Chemistry Solar energy conservation materials

Brett, Michael NRC-NINT / University of Alberta, AB

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Nanostructured device architectures

Buriak, Jillian NRC-NINT / University of Alberta, AB

Chemistry Development of low cost, high energy output photovoltaic systems through applied nano-science; practical approaches towards building nanoscale architechtures; nanoscale graphitic coatings for photovoltaic and battery applications


Côté, Michel Université de Montréal, QC

Physics Electronic structure of polymers for photovoltaic applications and strongly correlated electron systems

Demopoulos, George

McGill University, QC

Mining and Materials Engineering

Nanocrystalline titania-based dye-sensitized solar cells; engineering nanostructured titania thin film electrodes for highly efficient solar energy conversion and storage systems

Ding, Zhifeng University of Western Ontario, ON

Chemistry Low cost CIGS photovoltaic devices on flexible polymer films; new strategy on CIGS solar cells; enhancing efficiency of photovoltaic cells by optimizations of their thin films

ElKhakani, MyAli Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, QC

Physics Novel solar cells based on the nanohybrids of multiple-exciton-generation quantum dots and high-mobility single-wall-carbon nanotubes

Gao, Jun Queens University, ON

Physics Polymer p-i-n junction for photonic device applications

Gaspari, Franco University of Ontario Institute of Technology, ON

Faculty of Science Staebler-Wronski effect in tritiated amorphous silicon

Hall, Trevor University of Ottawa, ON

Centre for Research in Photonics

Semiconductors using nanostructures for record increases in solar-cell efficiency

Hanan, Garry Université de Montréal, QC

Chemistry New coordination complexes for solar energy conversion

Hill, Ian Dalhousie University, NS

Physics Materials and devices for photovoltaic energy conversion

Hinzer, Karin University of Ottawa, ON

Information Technology and Engineering

Green optoelectronics: solar cells and lasers using nanostructured materials; 4CPV: Materials and processes for quad-junction concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) solar cells with conversion efficiencies in the 45%-50% range, grown by chemical beam epitaxy

Hotchandani, Surat Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, QC

Chemistry Dye-sensitized nanocrystalline solar cells and gold nanoparticles

Huang, He University of Toronto, ON


Investigations of novel quantum materials for advanced solar cells; multiple exciton generation in quantum dot photovoltaics

Kitai, Adrian McMaster University, ON

Materials Science and Engineering Physics

Growth of semiconductor materials for flexible displays and solar cells

Kleiman, Rafael McMaster University, ON

Engineering Physics NSERC Photovoltaic innovation network

Koivisto, Bryan Ryerson University, ON

Chemistry and Biology

Towards More Efficient Photovoltaic Materials: Study Photoinduced Electron and Energy Transfer

Kherani, Nazir University of Electrical and Advanced silicon photovoltaic devices;


Toronto, ON Computer Engineering and Materials Science

Characterization of Optical Losses and Potential Performance Enhancement Strategies in Solar Photovoltaic Module

LaPierre, Raymond McMaster University, ON

Engineering Physics Nanowire photovoltaics

Leclerc, Mario Université Laval, QC

Chemistry Polymeric/inorganic semiconductor nano-composite materials for low cost photovoltaic applications; ANR All-polymer solar cells

Li, Yuning University of Waterloo, ON

Chemical Engineering

Development of polymer solar cell fibres; functional donor polymer semiconductors for hybrid solar cells; study of deposition conditions of metal oxides

Lu, ZhengHong University of Toronto, ON

Material Science and Engineering

Polymeric/inorganic semiconductor nano-composite materials for low cost photovoltaic applications

Ma, Dongling Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, QC

Centre Énergie, Matériaux et Télécommunication

Synthesis, characterization and application of highly functional nanoparticles

Madden, John University of British Columbia, BC

Electrical and Computer Eng

Photosynthetic protein-based solar cells

Marsan, Benoît Université du Québec à Montréal, QC

Chemistry New electrode materials for the oxygen evolution/reduction reactions; solar cells based on novel solvent-free gel elctrolytes

Mighri, Frej Laval University, QC

Chemistry Polymer nanocomposites for photovoltaic cells

Mi, Zetian McGill University, QC

Physics Full-solar-spectrum InGaN tandem solar cells on Si; green hydrogen: solar-powered photochemical water splitting on InGaN nanowire arrays

Morin, JeanFrancois

Laval University, QC

Chemistry Polymeric/inorganic semiconductor nano-composite materials for low cost photovoltaic applications

Nunzi, JeanMichel Queens University, ON

Chemistry Light rectification for solar energy conversion

O’Leary, Stephen University of British Columbia, B.C.

Engineering Defect detection in photovoltaic solar cells using infrared imaging; semiconductor devices for new solar cell applications; Hybrid solar cells for future renewable energy applications; Real-time feedback for the deposition of amorphous silicon based photovoltaic solar cells

Pearce, Joshua Queens University, ON

Mechanical Engineering

Effects of nanostructure and defect states in solar photovoltaic materials

Perepichka, Dmitrii McGill University, QC

Chemistry Fluorescent plastic waveguides for photovoltaic energy conversion

Sargent, Edward University of Toronto, ON


Atomic Layer Deposition for Advanced Photovoltaics and Optoelectronics.

Sazonov, Andrei University of Electrical and Development of high efficiency flexible


Waterloo, ON Computer Engineering

photovoltaic modules

Scholes, Gregory University of Toronto, ON

Chemistry Polymeric/inorganic semiconductor nano-composite materials for low cost photovoltaic applications; photophysical studies of light harvesting in photosynthetic organisms and conjugated polymers

Seferos, Dwight University of Toronto, ON

Chemistry Optoelectronic polymer-, nano- and macroscale materials

Semenikhin, Oleg University of Western Ontario, ON

Chemistry Conducting Polymer Based Materials for Solar Energy Conversion; nanoscale characterization of novel hybrid organic thin film photovoltaic materials for solar energy harvesting

Shankar, Karthik NRC-NINT / University of Alberta, AB


One-dimensional hybrid nanostructure arrays from pi-conjugated organic small molecules and inorganic semiconductors for use in excitonic devices

Shih, Ishiang McGill University, QC


Novel III-V and I-III-VI based solar cells with enhanced energy conversion efficiency

Sivoththaman, Siva University of Waterloo, ON


Development and practical implementation of spectral engineering and nanotechnology concepts for high efficiency photovoltaic devices

Skene, William Université de Montréal, QC

Chemistry New self-assembled polyazomethines for photovoltaic devices

Thomas, Michael University of Alberta, AB


Nanostructured organic solar cells

Wartak, Marek Wilfrid Laurier University, ON

Physics and Computer Science

Dynamical processes in quantum dots based solar cells


Canadian university R&D funded by NSERC [7] for the period FY05/06 to FY11/12 is shown in Figure 1. NSERC funding for the last five years was at about $4 M per annum, about twice the funding for the FY05/06-FY06/07 period - largely as a result of increased emphasis on renewable energy development.

Figure 1. NSERC funding ($M) for PV during FY05/06 to FY11/12

In addition to NSERC funding of university research, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation continues to support relevant infrastructure at Canadian universities, as shown in Table 2 [7].

Table 2. CFI-funded infrastructure projects relevant to PV solar cells R&D

Project Title Institution Amount Year Laboratory for Advanced Photovoltaic Research

McMaster University

$4,346,418 2009

Laboratory for the Fabrication & Testing of FRET and Plasmon-Enhanced Nanostructured Photovoltaic Devices

University of Alberta

$80,000 2010

Laboratory for the Development of Optoelectronic Polymers and Nanomaterials

University of Toronto

$400,000 2010

Facility for Nanostructures, Surfaces, and Sensor Interfaces Carleton University

$761,054 2011

Infrastructure for Research into the Creation of High Efficiency Organic Photovoltaic Cells

University of Saskatchewan

$126,614 2011

Multidisciplinary Test Platform for 1000x Concentrated Photovoltaic (CPV) Performance and New Technology

Université de Sherbrooke

$120,000 2011


ESTABLISHMENT OF A CANADIAN PHOTOVOLTAICS INNOVATION NETWORK A major development for the period under review has been the establishment of the NSERC Photovoltaic Innovation Network, in May 2008, to promote PV innovation by linking university researchers amongst them, as well as with industry. CFI endowed the Network with a 4.3 M$ grant to establish the Laboratory for Advanced Photovoltaic Research at McMaster and NSERC approved a proposal for $5 million in funding, for the period 2010-2015. More than 100 researchers from across Canada are currently participating under the network’s umbrella, examining new technologies that can achieve higher efficiency, lower cost solar cells than conventional silicon.

According to the Centre’s mid-term report [9], several collaborations with a number of government and industrial partners are in place, including: ATS Automation Tooling Systems, Cleanfield Energy, CanmetENERGY, The Ontario branch of Institut National d’Optique, Unicel Architectural Corporation, Newport Corporation, Prised Solar and Institut de Recherche d’Hydro-Québec. In-kind contributions from various partners total $685,488.00 to date.

Research is being performed primarily under the following categories:

1. Organic PV Improving Organic Solar Cell Efficiency Using Low Band Gap Polymers and Tandem Devices Highly Efficient Low-Cost Polymeric Solar Cells

2. Inorganic PV Third Generation Spectral Engineering for Increased Solar Cell Efficiencies Advanced Thin Silicon High Efficiency Device Integrations Novel III-V and I-III-VI Based Multi-Junction Solar Cells

3. Hybrid PV Metal Oxide/Organic Hybrid Solar Cells Polymer/Nanostructured Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells Novel High Efficiency Materials for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

4. Nano-Structured PV Solar Cells Optimization of Nanoscale Interfaces in Organic PV Active Layers Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) Nanowires for Photovoltaic Applications Nanowire Photovoltaics Novel Homojunction Thin-film Photovoltaic Devices Based on Nanostructured Cu(In,Al)S2

Materials Synthesized Using an Innovative Colloidal Method 5. Organic and Bifacial Silicon-Based Semi-Transparent PV Cell Design for Window and Skylight Applications Photovoltaics and the Transition to a Carbon-Neutral Energy System in Canada

Some of the key R&D highlights of the Photovoltaic Innovation Network, as of 2011, included:

• Fabrication of the most air stable organic solar cell, with an overall energy conversion efficiency of 7.1%.

• Fabrication of ultra-thin single crystal silicon solar cells, allowing for double sided processing and incorporating simple light trapping methods, having an energy conversion efficiency of 9.9%.

• Development of a method for creating regular arrays of shallower inverted pyramids for enhanced light trapping, currently being integrated into the 10 µm thick free standing silicon cells to increase efficiency, potentially as high as 20%.


• Demonstrated hybrid organic/ DSSC solar cells, using Zn0.9Ca0.1O, having a 50% increase in the open circuit voltage, and a doubling of efficiency compared to similar devices using pure ZnO.

• Developed solar cells based on III-V semiconductor nanowires using growth via molecular beam epitaxy, metal-organic chemical vapour deposition and a wide range of III-V compounds, including arsenides, phosphides and nitrides.

OTHER PHOTOVOLTAIC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT IN CANADA

Other federal and provincial sources of funding for PV R&D were collected and are listed in Table 3. For the period under review, Sustainable Development Technology Canada funded one solar cell R&D project on Low Cost Printable Organic Solar cells with a Canadian consortium group composed of St-Jean Photochemicals, Konarka Technologies Inc., NRC - Institute for Microstructural Sciences and Université Laval, Department of Chemistry [8].

Table 3. Other Canadian Sources of PV R, D&D Funding

Source of Funds Research Area Funds Sustainable Development

Technology Canada

Low Cost Printable Organic Solar Cells

$1,673,424 total for 2008-2012

Federal Network of Excellence fund to the Canadian Institute

for Photonic Innovations

Concentrated Photovoltaics Array Optimization $36,500 for 2011

Novel Fabrication Technology for High Efficiency Solar Cells

$52,000 for 2009-10

High-Power, Outdoor Photovoltaic Test System for Characterization of a Lunar Rover Solar Power Subsystem

$24,295 for 2012

Lunar Rover Photovoltaic Array Prototype Incorporating Flexible Multi-junction Solar Cells

$33,300 for 2011-12

Fonds de recherche du Québec

Hétérostructures novatrices à base de boîtes et de fils quantiques: Croissance sélective sur nanomasques, caractérisation et dispositifs

$50,000/year for 2010-2012

Piles solaires tout plastique $21,250 for 2010 $21,250 for 2011 $17,500 for 2012

La compréhension et la dynamique de cellules solaires organiques

$14,000 for 2012

Nouvelles cellules photovoltaïques à pigments photosensibles à partir de tétrakis-arboxyphényl)métalloporphyrines et ses versions pi-étendues (team grant)

$46,000/year, 2012-2015

Upconverting materials for PV conversion $55,000/Year for 2011-2014

Gouvernement du Québec Matériaux Imprimables pour Piles Solaires Efficaces Contrat du MDEIE

$275,000/year for 2011 and 2012

Hydro-Québec Novel Homojunction Thin-film Photovoltaic $20,000/year, 2012-


Devices Based on Nanostructured Cu(In,Al)S2 Materials Synthesized Using an Innovative and Colloidal Method

2015

Ontario Research Fund High Efficiency Silicon Photovoltaics $100,000/year since 2007 (5 years).

Advancing Photovoltaics for Economic Concentrator Systems

$3,257,965 for 2010-2014

High Efficiency, Low Cost, Solar Cells.

$3,000,000 for 2010-2015

Ontario Centres of Excellence Systems Integration of Flexible Multi-Junction Solar Cells

$25,000 for 2011-12

Concentrator Module Optics: Optics Improvement

$25,000 for 2011-12

High Fidelity Photovoltaic System for Lunar Vehicle

$13,500 for 2010

Ontario Power Authority Efficient, Low-cost Solar Cells: Prototype Engineering to Enable Customer Validation and Investor Diligence

$100,000 for 2011/12

Canada School of Energy and Environment

A new concept for organic bulk-heterojunction solar cells: Charge transport in liquid crystals

$100,000 for 2010

A Novel Approach Toward Efficient Acceptor Materials for Organic Photovoltaics

$25,000 for 2012

The National Research Council of Canada is also involved in photovoltaic R&D through the NRC National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT) in collaboration with the University of Alberta, and through project SUNRISE in collaboration with the University of Ottawa, Université de Sherbrooke, Cyrium Technologies Inc., and OPEL International Inc. One of NINT’s goals is to demonstrate, by 2015, organic photovoltaic materials with 10% energy conversion efficiency lasting 20,000 hours. Project SUNRISE (Semiconductors Using Nanostructures for Record Increases in Solar-Cell Efficiency) aims to develop concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) systems that employ special “triple junction” solar cell chips made using multiple semiconductor layers of different materials and conductivity to collect and convert the full solar energy spectrum, and sophisticated optics to focus 500 times more sunlight onto their surfaces.

CONCLUSIONS A survey of photovoltaic R&D capability in Canadian universities, for the FY09/10 through FY11/12 period, shows about 50 research laboratories, mostly in Ontario and Quebec, in various science (chemistry, physics, materials science) and engineering (physics, chemical, electrical, computer, information technology, etc.) are involved. Relative to previous reviews by CanmetENERGY, the funding and overall effort appear to have stabilized to the levels observed during the 2007-2009 review period. However, thanks to the contribution from the PV Innovation Network, the level of collaboration amongst university researchers and with industry has improved substantially. The university R&D is funded for the most part by NSERC at about $4 M annually. The Canadian Foundation for Innovation has also provided supplementary funds for infrastructure development at Canadian universities at about $2 M annually. Canadian university capability to support research and development of photovoltaic solar cell in Canada is significant and at the forefront of global PV science and technology research, as evidenced by the kind of research, and the volume and quality of publications produced.


The recent establishment of the Photovoltaics Innovation Network is a major boost to university R&D on solar cells and photovoltaic energy development in Canada. The Network has raised the training capability of highly qualified researchers in this field and has improved the level of collaboration amongst researchers, as well as with industry. It is already making significant breakthroughs in photovoltaic R&D.


REFERENCES 1. A.C. Vikis, Overview of Photovoltaic Solar Cell R&D Capability in Canada, CETC-Varennes 2005-

077 (TR)

2. Y. Poissant and A.C. Vikis Overview of Photovoltaic Solar Cell R&D Capability in Canada Ed. 2 (2004-2007) CETC-Varennes 2008-075 (TR)

3. Y. Poissant and A.C. Vikis Overview of Photovoltaic Solar Cell R&D Capability in Canada Ed. 3 (2007-2009) CETC-Varennes 2010-056 (RP-TEC)

4. International Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme, PVPS Report – A Snapshot of Global PV 1992-2012, Report IEA-PVPS T1-22:2013, International Energy Agency 2013 http://www.iea-pvps.org/index.php?id=92&eID=dam_frontend_push&docID=1468

5. P. Luukkonen, P. Bateman, J. Hiscock, Y. Poissant, D. Howard and L. Dignard-Bailey, 2012 National Survey Report of PV Power Applications in Canada, CanmetENERGY Report 2013 http://www.iea-pvps.org/index.php?id=93&eID=dam_frontend_push&docID=1584

6. NSERC Awards Search Engine http://www.outil.ost.uqam.ca/crsng/Outil.aspx?Langue=Anglais 7. Canadian Foundation for Innovation

database, https://www2.innovation.ca/pls/fci/fcienrep.base 8. Sustainable Development Technology Canada, http://www.sdtc.ca/sdtc_projects/index_en.htm;

personal communication with Dr. C. Miner 9. NSERC Photovoltaic Innovation Network, Mid-term Review Report, File #

NETGP 370819 – 08, November 2012 10. “Team from U of T, KAUST and Penn State develop most efficient colloidal quantum dot solar

cell yet” PV-Tech news, September 19 2011, accessed July 17th 2013. http://www.pv-tech.org/news/team_from_u_of_t_kaust_and_penn_state_develop_most_efficient_colloidal_quan

https://www2.innovation.ca/pls/fci/fcienrep.base

http://www.sdtc.ca/sdtc_projects/index_en.htm


APPENDIX

This appendix captures basic information (research activities, team members, research facilities, links to industry, website, and recent publications) for each researcher. The information was either provided by the researchers in response to our questionnaire or, in the absence of a response to our questionnaire, obtained from the researcher’s website. The latter cases are denoted by a * preceding the researcher’s name. In all cases the information has been edited for uniformity.


Aimez, Vincent; Université de Sherbrooke See Canadian Collaborative Center on Concentrated Photovoltaics (www.gel.usherbrooke.ca/crn2/index.php?page=cpv&lang=en)

Research activities of 4CPV research team at Université de Sherbrooke “Canadian Collaborative Center on Concentrated Photovoltaics (4CPV)”

The research activity on Concentrated Photovoltaics at Sherbrooke was launched in 2005. Group is led by 4 professors Professors, V. Aimez, R. Arès, L. Frechette and D. Morris . The team is currently composed of 21 people including research professionals, Post-doctoral fellows and graduate students. The activities are covering three main aspects, namely all micro-nanofabrication steps for the realization of complete CPV cells including the development of high heat dissipation efficiency carriers, Chemical Beam Epitaxy and development of novel nanostructures and advanced materials characterization.

The 4CPV benefits from a full cleanroom infrastructure were CPV cell processing is available and led to up to >> 30% efficiency cell fabrication. Packaging of CPV cells and on sun testing using a 35kW concentrator is also being developed.

Current activities also involve hybrid approchaes mixing solar thermal and CPV systems.

2012 Research Team Members (numbers and % devoted to PV research): 4 (75%) post-docs; 13 (77%) grad students; 3 (33%) research associates; 1 (100%) visiting scientists

Brief description of research facilities

Our facility has state-of-the-art infrastructures for every stages of design, fabrication and test of the concentrated photovoltaics cells and systems. The 3IT houses more than 200 scientists and students, with more than 25 directly related to CPV. We have more than 1200 m2 of lab space with facilities in materials genesis (epitaxy, 100 mm) and characterization, solar cell micro-fabrication (class 100 cleanrooms), advanced packaging, cell testing, module fabrication and real conditions testing at high concentration (35 kW tracker). We can also design and model cell structures and modules.

Associations with Canadian or international PV industry.

Some examples are: Cyrium Technology, Morgan Solar, Opel Solar, 5N Plus. We also collaborate with several international industrials (Heliotrop).

We have ongoing research collaborations with several national and international labs (UOttawa, CNRS-PROMES (France), INL (Lyon))

Publications:

A. Boucherif, G. Beaudin, V. Aimez et and R. Ares. Mesoporous germanium morphology transformation for lift-off process and substrate re-use. Applied Physics Letters,2013, volume 102, numéro 1, p. 011915.

S. Schicho, C. Sellmer, A. Jaouad, D. Morris, V. Aimez, R. Arès, Black Germanium produced by inductively coupled plasma etching process, Material Letters, 2013, vol 94, 86-88

http://www.gel.usherbrooke.ca/crn2/index.php?page=cpv&lang=en


S. Tutashkonko, A. Boucherif, T. Nychyporuk, A. Kaminski-Cachopo, R. Arès, M. Lemiti, V. Aimez, Mesoporous Germanium formed by bipolar electrochemical etching, Electrochimica Acta, 2013, vol 88, 256-262

R.Homier, A. Jaouad, A. Turala, C. E. Valdivia, D. Masson, S. G. Wallace, S. Fafard, R. Arès and V. Aimez, Antireflection coating design for triple-junction III-V/Ge high efficiency solar cells using low absorption PECVD silicon nitride, IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics, Vol. 2, N. 3, 393-397, July 2012

G. Kolhatkar, J. F. Wheeldon, C. E. Valdivia, A. W. Walker, S. Fafard, A. Turala, A. Jaouad, R. Arès, V. Aimez, and K. Hinzer, Current-voltage measurements within the negative differential resistance region of AlGaAs/AlGaAs tunnel junctions for high concentration photovoltaics, International Journal of Nanoscience, Vol. 11, No. 4 (2012) 1240014 (6 pages)

S. Tutashkonko, A. Kaminski-Cachopo, C. Boulord, R. Ares, V. Aimez and M. Lemiti, "Light induced silver and copper plating on silver screen-printed contacts of Silicon solar cells," Opto-Electron. Rev., vol. 19, pp. 301-306, 09/14, 2011.


Arès, Richard; Université de Sherbrooke www.usherbrooke.ca/gmecanique/departement/personnel/professeurs/richard-ares

Research activities include:

CPV solar cells for high efficiency and/or high concentration

Design and modeling of solar cell structures.

Nanostructures in CPV solar cells

Advanced microfabrication of solar cells.

Advances packaging of solar cells.

Heat management in solar cells under high concentration.

CPV-CSP hybrid systems.

New materials in HCPV solar cells.

2012 Research Team Members (numbers and % devoted to PV research): 4 (75%) post-docs; 13 (77%) grad students; 3 (33%) research associates; 1 (100%) visiting scientists

Collaboration with Industry: Collaborates with Cyrium Technology, Morgan Solar, Opel Solar, 5N Plus, Heliotrop; also with several national and international labs (UOttawa, CNRS-PROMES (France), INL (Lyon).

Facilities: The lab is integrated into the Institut Interdisciplinaire d’Innovation Technologique (IIIT) of Université de Sherbrooke. The facility has state-of-the-art infrastructures for every stage of design, fabrication and testing of concentrated photovoltaics cells and systems. The IIIT houses more than 200 scientists and students, with more than 25 directly related to CPV, which includes more than 1200 m2 of lab space with facilities in materials genesis (epitaxy, 100 mm) and characterization, solar cell micro-fabrication (class 100 cleanrooms), advanced packaging, cell testing, module fabrication and real conditions testing at high concentration (35 kW tracker). Cell structures and modules can also be designed and modeled.

Publications

D. Duchesne, K. A. Rutkowska, M. Volatier, F. Légaré, S. Delprat, M. Chaker, D. Modotto, A. Locatelli, C. De Angelis, M. Sorel, D. N. Christodoulides, G. Salamo, R. Ares, V. Aimez, R. Morandotti (2011) Second harmonic generation in AlGaAs photonic wires using low power continuous wave light, Vol. 19, 13, pp. 12408-12417, Optics Express, 06/10, 2011

A. Fekecs, M. Bernier, D. Morris, M. Chicoine, F. Schiettekatte, P. G. Charette, R. Ares (2011) Fabrication of high resistivity cold-implanted InGaAsP photoconductors for efficient pulsed terahertz devices, Vol. 1, 7, pp. 1165-1177, Optical Materials Express, 10/05, 2011

B. Paquette, B. Gsib, R. Ares (2011) Temperature mapping using single wavelength pyrometry during epitaxial growth, Vol. 29, 6, pp. [art. no. 060604], Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology B: Microelectronics and Nanometer Structures, 11/21 (Published online 21 November 2011)


K. A. Rutkowska, D. Duchesne, M. Volatier, R. Ares, V. Aimez, R. Morandotti (2011) Second harmonic generation in AlGaAs nanowaveguides, Vol. 120, 4, pp. 725-731, Acta Physica Polonica A, 10/01, 2011


Baumgartner, Thomas; University of Calgary www.ucalgary.ca/chem/pages/baumgartner

The research in the Baumgartner group related to photovoltaics is devoted to the development of novel, highly tunable organophosphorus materials with light-harvesting, as well as n-type semiconducting/electron-acceptor properties. The unique approach towards PV research lies in the design of a variety of building blocks on the molecular, supramolecular, as well as polymeric level that all involve organophosphorus components as central units within these materials. The group has been among the first internationally that have comprehensively established organophosphorus pi-conjugated materials as promising building blocks for organic electronics; the materials show exceptional electronic tunability and luminescence efficiencies, next to the n-type semiconduting properties that arise from the presence of the phosphorus center(s). PV research thus involves the development of material components for a variety of next-generation organic photovoltaics including bulk-heterojunction, as well as dye-sensitized devices. To this end, the group has been engaged in the synthesis of improved low-bandgap, light-harvesting polymers for bulk-heterojunction cells, novel molecular organophosphorus dyes for dye-sensitized cells, and they are currently looking into developing powerful electron acceptor materials components for improved charge separation.

2012 Research Team Members (numbers and % devoted to PV research): 1 (75%) post-docs; 4 (30%) grad students


Research facilities allow for synthesis and advanced characterization (including optical, electrochemical, and thermal) of organophosphorus-based molecular, supramolecular, and polymeric materials. Access to basic dye-sensitized solar cell as well as bulk-heterojunction fabrication is available.

Publications

“Dithieno[3,2-c:2′,3′-e]-2,7-diketophosphepin: A Unique Building Block for Multifunctional π-Conjugated Materials”, X.-M. He, J. Borau-Garcia, A. Y. Y. Woo, S. Trudel, T. Baumgartner, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013, 135, 1137-1147.

“Combining Form with Function: The Dawn of Phosphole-Based Functional Materials”, Y. Ren, T. Baumgartner, Dalton Trans. 2012, 41, 7792-7800.

“Azadibenzophospholes – Functional Building Blocks with Pronounced Electron-Acceptor Character”, S. Durben, T. Baumgartner, Inorg. Chem. 2011, 50, 3823-3836.

“3,7-Diazadibenzophosphole Oxide – A Phosphorus-Bridged Viologen-Analogue with Dramatically Lowered Reduction Threshold”, S. Durben, T. Baumgartner, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2011, 50, 7948-7952.

“End-Group Functionalization of Poly(3-hexylthiophene) as an Efficient Route to Photosensitize Nano-crystalline TiO2 Films for Photovoltaic Applications”, R. A. Krüger, T. J. Gordon, T. Baumgartner, T. C. Sutherland, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2011, 3, 2031-2041.


*Bender, Timothy; University of Toronto www.labs.chem-eng.utoronto.ca/bender/t-p-bender/

The focus of the research is to design and synthesize new materials to enable an organic solar cell, having a device structure similar to a single layer organic photoreceptor, to harnesses all of the radiation received on earth from the sun. This will provide a cheap and readily available alternative energy source. The research program is currently divided into two areas each supporting this goal. The first area (50%) is focused toward the design and synthesis of phthalocyanine (Pc) crystals for solar light capture and electrical charge generation. The second (50%) is focused towards electrically transportive polymers to move the generated charge to the electrodes thereby completing the solar cell circuit. His approach involves three distinct and integrated activities lead by computer aided (in silico) molecular modeling, followed by synthesis and characterization (including incorporation of new materials in zero-order organic photovoltaic devices) which in their summation lead to the formation of multidimensional structure-property relationships – a methodology successfully applied at Xerox.

Recent Publications

“Using TEEOS to Predict Payback Periods for Organic Solar Cells” Powell, C.; Bender, T.P.; Lawryshyn, Y.A.; Accepted to Solar Energy September 2009.

“Boron subphthalocyanine – dye, pigment or somewhere in between.” Morse, G.; Paton, A.; Bender, T.P. Dalton Transactions, 2010, 39(16), 3915 – 3922.

“A Model to Determine Financial Indicators for Organic Solar Cells” Powell, C.; Lawryshyn, Y.A.; Bender, T.P.; Solar Energy 2009, 83(11), 1977-1984.

“A Pronounced Anionic Effect in the Pd-catalyzed Buchwald-Hartwig Amination Revealed in Phosphonium Salt Ionic Liquids”. McNulty, J.; Cheekoori, S.; Bender, T.P.; Coggan, J.A.; Chem. Eur. J., 2007, 1423–1428.

“Copper(I)-Mediated Ligand-Accelerated Ullmann-Type Coupling of Anilines with Aryliodides: Ligand Selection and Reaction Kinetics for Synthesis of Tri-p-Tolylamine”. Manifar, T.; Rohani, S.; Bender, T.P.; Goodbrand, H.B.; Gaynor, R.; Saban, M.; Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 2005, 44(4), 789 – 798.

“Self-Assembled Vesicular Nanostructures of Perylene End-Capped Poly(dimethylsiloxane)”. Yao, D.; Bender, T.P.; Gerroir, P.J.; Sundararajan, P.R.; Macromolecules, 2005, 38, 6972-6978.


*Berlinguette, Curtis P.; University of British Columbia http://www.chem.ubc.ca/our-people/profiles/curtis-berlinguette

The research program aims to increase the contribution of solar energy to the global energy mix by: (i) making novel materials for converting sunlight to electricity; and (ii) developing metal-based catalysts to efficiently store this solar energy into clean hydrogen fuels. With proven efficiencies now in excess of 13%, the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) invented by Michael Grätzel in 1991 represents one of the most promising next-generation solar cell technologies. This device relies on electron-transfer from a photo-excited dye to a thin mesoporous semiconducting film on conducting glass. The dye molecule is subsequently reduced by a mediator, which, in turn, is regenerated at the cathode by electrons that migrate through the external load. To help bring the bulk manufacture of DSSCs to fruition, we are improving cell performance and stability by designing robust cyclometalated Ru dyes with improved absorbance profiles in the lower-energy region of the solar spectrum. We are also exploring ways to replace the expensive Ru chromophore using first-row transition metals and to replace conventional electrolytes in the DSSC.

2012 Research Team Members (numbers and % devoted to PV research): 6 grad students; 9 post-docs; 2 research scientists

Recent Publications

Ruthenium(II) Complexes Bearing a Naphthalimide Fragment: A Modular Dye Platform for the Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell; Pogozhev, D. V.; Bezdek, M. J.; Schauer, P. A.; Berlinguette, C. P.,Inorg. Chem. 2013

Atomic Level Resolution of Dye Regeneration in the Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell

Robson, K. C. D.; Hu, K.; Meyer, G. J.; Berlinguette, C. P.; J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013, 135 (5), 1961-1671

Stabilization of Ruthenium Sensitizers to TiO2 Surfaces through Cooperative Anchoring Groups; Brown, D. G.; Schauer, P. A.; Borau-Garcia, J.; Fancy, B. R.; Berlinguette, C. P.

J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013, 135 (5), 1692-1695

Homogeneous Water Oxidation Catalysts Containing a Single Metal Site

Wasylenko, D. W.; Palmer, R. D.; Berlinguette, C. P.; hem. Commun. 2013, 49 (3), 218 - 227

Concerted Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer at a [Co-OHx]z Unit in Aqueous Media

Wasylenko, D. W.; Palmer, R. D., Tatlock, H. M., Gardinier, J. M., Berlinguette, C. P.

Chem. Sci., 2013, 4, 734-738.

Ru Complexes of Thienyl-Functionalized Dipyrrins in the Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell

Li. G.; Bomben, P. G.; Robson, K.; Gorelsky, S. I.; Berlinguette, C. P.; Shatruk, M.

Chem. Commun. 2012,48, 8790-8792

Microsecond Excited-State Lifetimes in Bistridentate Ruthenium-Terpyridine Complexes; Brown, D. G.; Sanguantrakun, N.; Schulze, B.; Schubert, U. S.; Berlinguette, C. P.; J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134 (30), 12354-12357.

http://people.ucalgary.ca/~cberling/


Brett, Michael; NRC – National Institute for Nanotechnology / University of Alberta http://www.ece.ualberta.ca/~glad/

PV research of the Brett group focuses on the use of nanostructures to improve photovoltaic conversion efficiency for organic solar cells through increase of surface area for exciton dissociation. Various approaches include using nanopost array transparent conductors, and direct nanopost fabrication of acceptors such as C60 and of donors such as CuPc or ZnPc. This research is in collaboration with the Buriak’s group.

2012 Research Team Members (numbers and % devoted to PV research): 5 grad students; 1 research associate.

Brief description of research facilities.

Extensive fabrication facilities of the University of Alberta NanoFab (~$25M of equipment); extensive surface science characterization facilities of University of Alberta ACSES facility (~$12M); and extensive microscopy equipment (TEM, SEM, FIB) of NRC-NINT (~$20M).

Associations with Canadian or international PV industry

Associated with the NRC Flagship program in Printed Electronics, and within that program working on technology development for MW Canada

Recent Publications

J.G. Van Dijken and M.J. Brett, “Dry etching of copper phthalocyanine thin films: effects on morphology and surface stoichiometry”, Molecules 17(9), 10119-10130 (Aug 2012). DOI:10.3390/molecules170910119.

M. Thomas, W. Li, Z.S. Bo and M.J. Brett, “Inverted photovoltaic cells of nanocolumnar C60 filled with solution processed small molecule 3-Q”, accepted July 28, 2012 by Organic Electronics (13 manuscript pages, manuscript nr: ORGELE-D-12-00300R1).

J.G. Van Dijken and M.J. Brett, “Nanopillar ITO electrodes via argon plasma etching”, J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A 30 (4), 040606/1-5 (June 2012). DOI:10.1116/1.4729592

J.G. Van Dijken, M.D. Fleischauer and M.J. Brett, “Solvent effects on ZnPc thin films and their role in fabrication of nanostructured organic solar cells”, Organic Electronics, 12(12), 2111-2119 (2011).

M. Thomas, B.J. Worfolk, D.A. Rider, M.T. Taschuk, J.M. Buriak and M.J. Brett, “C_60 fullerene nanocolumns - polythiophene heterojunctions for inverted organic photovoltaic cells”, ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 3(6), 1887-1894 (2011).


Buriak, Jillian; NRC – National Institute for Nanotechnology / University of Alberta http://www.chem.ualberta.ca/~buriak/

The photovoltaics program of the Buriak Group has as its focus the goal of producing very stable, efficient organic photovoltaics (OPVs) with long lifetimes on plastics. The direction of this laboratory has been the development of some of the most air-stable OPV devices produced.

2012 Research Team Members (numbers and % devoted to PV research): 4 post-docs; 7 grad students; 5 other staff


The group has several spin-coating station, and a stand along Sono-Tek spray coating station for large scale OPV manufacture. The group is equipped with all necessary solar testing (AAA AM1.5G) and characterization infrastructure.


Members of the NSERC Photovoltaic Innovation Network (NSERC PIN)

Funded collaboration with, the SABIC Center for Research Innovation (CRI) on the campus of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) on developing mass-manufactured organic photovoltaics.

Recent Publications

McClure, S. A.; Worfolk, B. J.; Rider, D. A.; Tucker, R. T.; Fordyce, J. A. M.; Fleischauer, M. D.; Harris, K. D.; Brett, M. J.; Buriak, J. M. “Electrostatic Layer-by-Layer Assembly of CdSe Nanorod/Polymer Composite Thin Films”, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2010, 2, 219-229

McClure, S. A.; Buriak, J. M.; DiLabio, G. A. “Transport Properties of Thiophenes: Insights from Density-Functional Theory Modeling Using Dispersion-Correcting Potentials”, J. Phys. Chem. A, 2010, 114, 10952-10961

Rider, D. A.; Worfolk, B. J.; Harris, K. D.; Lalany, A.; Shahbazi, K.; Fleischauer, M. D.; Brett, M. J.; Buriak, J. M. “Stable Inverted Polymer/Fullerene Solar Cells Using a Cationic Polythiophene Modified PEDOT:PSS Cathodic Interface”, Adv. Funct. Mater. 2010, 20, 2404-2415

Rider, D. A.; Tucker, R. T.; Worfolk, B. J.; Krause, K. M.; Lalany, A.; Brett, M. J.; Buriak, J. M.; Harris, K. D. “Indium Tin Oxide Nanopillar Electrodes in Polymer/Fullerene Solar Cells”, Nanotechnology, 2011, 22, 085706.

Worfolk, B. J.; Rider, D. A.; Elias, A. L.; Thomas, M.; Harris, K. D.; Buriak, J. M., “Bulk Heterojunction Organic Photovoltaics Based on Carboxylated Polythiophenes and PCBM on Glass and Plastic Substrates”, Adv. Funct. Mater. 2011, 21, 1816

Thomas, M.; Worfolk, B. J.; Rider, D. A.; Taschuk, M. T.; Buriak, J. M.; Brett, M. J. “C60 Fullerene Nanocolumns–Polythiophene Heterojunctions for Inverted Organic Photovoltaic Cells”, ACS Appl. Mater. Inter. 2011, 3, 1887-1894

http://www.chem.ualberta.ca/~buriak/

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Côté, Michel; Université de Montréal www.physique.umontreal.ca/~michel_cote/

The group performs electronic structure calculations on organic materials in order to better assess their photovoltaic potential. We use state of the art methods such as ab initio methods, density functional theory and Green function approaches to evaluate these organic materials. Our efforts are in the development of these methods to better address the problems of the organic materials and in the analysis of new polymers. The search for better photovoltaic polymers is very active, and ab initio calculations can help in this pursuit by assessing potential polymers and evaluate their value even before they are synthesized.

2012 Research Team Members (numbers and % devoted to PV research): post-docs 1 (100%); grad students 7 (50%)


We are using high performance computational tools to study the electronic properties of materials. Computation servers are provided by the consortium Calcul Québec which provides computational resources for all researchers in Québec and Canada.

Publications

S. Pesant, G. Dumont, S. Langevin, M. Côté, “First principles elaboration of low band gap ladder-type polymers”, Journal of Chemical Physics, 130, 114906 (2009). doi: 10.1063/1.3081184

N. Bérubé, V. Gosselin, J. Gaudreau, M. Côté, ”Designing Polymers for Photovoltaic Using ab initio Calculations”, Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 117, 7964-7972 (2013) doi : 10.1021/jp309800f


Demopoulos, George P.; McGill University www.people.mcgill.ca/george.demopoulos/research/

This group’s Dye Sensitized Solar Cell DSSC research (in collaboration with M. Brochu and R. Gauvin) focuses on the design and fabrication of sensitized nanocrystalline titania mesoporous photoelectrode structures. The goal is process simplification for easy scale-up and cost-effective manufacturing; and electrode nanostructure optimization for enhanced light harvesting and cell conversion efficiency. To this end we have developed a new hybrid (anatase-rutile) paste for single-layer photoanode film construction for which a patent application is pending. This work is now under further development by focusing on scale-up issues, dye-nanoTiO2 interface characterization and modeling of light scattering phenomena. In another front we are working on developing glass-free DSSCs based on aluminum and plastic substrates and exploring electrophoretic deposition as low temperature thin film fabrication technology. Finally our group has embarked into near-infrared light harvesting strategies via the nano-engineering of rate earth-doped up-conversion crystals for incorporation in new DSSC cell architectures.

2012 Research Team Members (numbers and % devoted to PV research): 15 (50%) post-docs; 1 grad student; 7 research associates.


Equipment for solution (APPLICON) and hydrothermal (PARR) synthesis of nanomaterials. Film deposition equipment: Screen Printer (DYESOL) and DC or Pulse EPD (KEITHLEY) system. DSSC Assembly Machine (DYESOL)

PVM Solar Cell I-V Testing System Model IV5 that includes: Class – ABA Solar Simulator ASTM Method E 948-09 Compliant

PVM Solar Cell Quantum Efficiency Measurement System model QEX10.

BioLogic Electrochemical Impedance Spectrometer; access to wide range of molecular spectroscopic and electron microscopic characterization instrumentation.


We are collaborating with Targray Technology International (http://www.targray.com/)

Publications

Kee Eun Lee, Cecile Charbonneau, George. P. Demopoulos, 2013, Thin single screen-printed titania layer photoanodes for highly performing DSSCs via a novel dual-function paste formulation and process, J. Materials Res., Vol. 28, No. 3, 480-487

Kee Eun Lee, Mario A. Gomez, Cecile Charbonneau and George P. Demopoulos, 2012, Enhanced surface hydroxylation of nanocrystalline anatase films improves photocurrent output and electron lifetime in DSSC photoanodes, Electrochimica Acta. 67 (2012) 208– 215.

N. Parsi Benehkohal and G.P. Demopoulos, 2012, “Green Preparation of TiO2-ZnO Nanocomposite Photoanodes by Aqueous Electrophoretic Deposition ", J. Electrochem. Soc. , 159 (5) B602-B610 (2012)

Guo-Bin Shan, Hassane Assaaoudi and George P. Demopoulos, 2011, Enhanced Performance of Dye-sensitized Solar Cells by Utilization of Near-infrared Light Harvesting & Light-reflecting External

http://www.people.mcgill.ca/george.demopoulos/research/

http://www.targray.com/


Bifunctional Layer Consisting of Uniform β-NaYF4:Er3+/Yb3+ Nanoplatelets, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 3, 3239-3243.


*Ding, Zhifeng; University of Western Ontario http://publish.uwo.ca/~zfding/

Inorganic thin film light absorbing layers, such as CuInGaSe2 (CIGS), CuInS2 (CIS) and CuZnSnS4 (CZTS) are showing great promise as photovoltaic materials. These are CIGS based layers with the Ga removed (CIS) or the In from CIS replaced with Zn and Sn. They have reported lab efficiencies of around 10%. The drawback of these two materials is the high temperature annealation in sulfur atmosphere needed to achieve the high efficiency cells. We are trying to overcome this barrier with a one-pot, annealation free synthesis of the CIS and CZTS layers. A photoelectrochemical (PEC) measurement is performed on the material so the starting stoichiometry can be optimized to give the material with the largest photocurrent density. Further characterization is utilized to investigate their morphology (SEM and TEM), composition (XRF,XPS, EDX, HRTEM), structure (XRD, HRTEM), optical properties (UV- Vis, action spectra) and the kinetics of the photoreaction (PEC IMPS). After optimization, different methods of depositing not only the light-absorbing layer but also the other layers that compose a full solar device will be tested layer-by-layer. These methods include printing techniques, electrophoretic deposition and chemical bath deposition.

Recent Publications

Harati, M.; Love, D.; Lau, L. W. M.; Ding, Z., Prep of Crystall Zinc Oxide Films by One-step Electrodep in Reline. Mater Lett 2012, 89 (0), 339-342.

Tapley, A.; Vaccarello, D.; Hedges, J.; Jia, F.; Love, D. A.; Ding, Z., Prep & Charact of CuInS2 NCs for Light-absorbing in Solar Cells. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2012, DOI:10.1039/C2CP42753B.

Harati, M.; Jia, J.; Giffard, K.; Pellarin, K.; Hewson, C.; Love, D. A.; Lau, W. M.; Ding, Z., One-pot electrodeposition, characterization & photoactivity of CIGS thin films for solar cells. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2010, 12 (46), 15282-15290


*El Khakani, M. A. ; Institut national de recherche scientifique http://www.inrs.ca/english/my-ali-el-khakani?f=interets-de-recherche

The focus is the study of growth, assembly and properties of nanostructured materials (including nanotubes, nanoparticles and ultrathin materials) to develop new methods for the synthesis of nanomaterials by leveraging expertise in the field of cold plasmas or by other approaches such as ground-gel or ion bombardment. Much of the work is devoted to the study of properties (electrical, optical, mechanical and catalytic) of these new nanomaterials in order to better understand the interrelationships nanostructure-property, on the one hand, and to develop advanced features in micro / nano-electronics, photonics and nanotechnology. Much of the research takes place in collaboration with the Canadian Network of Centres of Excellence in Microelectronics, the inter-university network "Nano-Québec" and MRST the strategic combination "Plasma-Québec" NATEQ.

Recent Publications

D. Wang, H. Zhao, N. Wu, M. A. El Khakani, D. MaTuning the charge-transfer property of PbS-quantum dot/TiO2-nanobelt nanohybrids via quantum confinementJ. Phys. Chem. Lett. 1 (2010) 1030-1035

L. Laberge-Lebel, B. Aissa, M. A. El Khakani, D. TherriaultUltraviolet-assisted direct-write fabrication of carbon nanotube/polymer nanocomposite micro-coilsAdvanced Materials, 22 (2010) 592-596

Y. Awad, M. A. El Khakani, D. Brassard, R. Smirani, + 5 othersEffect of thermal annealing on the structural and mechanical properties of amorphous silicon carbide films prepared by PS-CVDTSF, 518 (2010) 2738-2744

L. Laberge-Lebel, B. Aissa, M. A. El Khakani, D. TherriaultPreparation and mechanical characterization of laser ablated single-walled carbon-nanotubes/polyurethane nanocomposite microbeamsCompos. Sci. Technol., 70 (2010), 518-524

Z. Hamoudi, B. Aïssa, M.A. El Khakani, M. MohamediSynthesis, characterization and electrocatalytic properties of ultra-highly densely packed carbon submicron spheres chains-sheathed carbon microfibers compositesJ. Phys. Chem. C, 114 (2010) 1885-1891

L. L-Lebel, B. Aissa, O. A. Paez, M. A. El Khakani, D. Therriault3D-microstructured nanocomposite beams by microfluidic infiltrationJ. Micromech. Microeng., 19 (2009) 125009 - 7pp.


*Gao Jun; Queens University http://www.physics.queensu.ca/~jungao/

Polymer photonic devices such as polymer light-emitting diodes and polymer solar cells offer potential performance and cost advantages over their inorganic counterparts.

A polymer light-emitting electrochemical cells (LEC) is a solid-state device operating on the principle of in situ electrochemical doping. LECs are attractive candidates for potential display and energy conversion applications. Because of doping, LECs have dramatically reduced bulk and contact resistance. We have recently demonstrated world's largest planar LECs with an interelectrode spacing of 11 mm. The extremely large planar devices offer unparalleled spatial and temporal resolution for direct imaging of many intriguing electrical and optical processes. When operated as a photovoltaic cell, LECs also display extremely high open-circuit voltage in an unique "bulk homojunction" configuration.

Recent Publications

Planar polymer photovoltaic cells with millimeter interelectrode spacing by J. Gao, J. Hui, Y. Hou and S. Alem in Journal of Applied Physics 104, 084512 (2008)

Photovoltaic response of a polymer p-i-n junction by Y. Zhang, Y. Hu and J. Gao in Applied Physics Letters, 91, 233509 (2007)

Polymer bulk homojunction photonic devices by C. Tracy and J. Gao in Applied Physics Letters 143502, (2005)

Polymer p-i-n junction photovoltaic cells by J. Gao, G. Yu and A. J. Heeger in Advanced Materials Vol. 10, p. 692 (1998)

Efficient photodetectors and photovoltaic cells from composites of fullerenes and conjugated polymers: Photoinduced electron transfer by J. Gao, F. Hide, and H. Wang in Synthetic Metals Vol. 84, p. 979 (1997)

Polymer photovoltaic cells-enhanced efficiencies via a network of internal donor-acceptor heterojunctions by G. Yu, J. Gao, J. C. Hummelen, F. Wudl, and A. J. Heeger in Science Vol. 270, p. 1789 (1995)

http://www.physics.queensu.ca/~jungao/


*Gaspari, Franco; University of Ontario Institute of Technology http://faculty.uoit.ca/gaspari/cv.php

The research focus is on materials and devices in the areas of thin film amorphous silicon and carbon, and emerging nano-crystalline materials. Amorphous silicon and amorphous carbon have been the subject of considerable research in the past 20 years, in light of their great potential for application in the fields of renewable sustainable energy (photo-voltaic) and biomedical devices. The main research objectives include the modeling and study of electrical and optical properties of intrinsic and doped amorphous, micro-crystalline and nano-crystalline materials; the development and characterization of photovoltaic devices; the preparation and characterization of diamond-like carbon; carbon nanotubes; and the investigation of the potential opto-electronic and biomedical applications of tritiated amorphous silicon and tritiated amorphous carbon.

Recent Publications

T. Kosteski, P. Stradins, N.P. Kherani, F. Gaspari, W.T. Shmayda, L. Sidhu, S. Zukotynski, “Tritiated Amorphous Silicon Betavoltaic Devices”, IEE Proc. Circuits, Devices and Syst., special issue on Amorphous and Microcrystalline Semiconductor Devices, 150 no. 4 (Aug 2003) 274-281

S. Zukotynski, F. Gaspari, D. Manage, V. Pletnev and E. Sagnes, "Hydrogenated amorphous carbon deposition by saddle-field glow discharge", Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. 595, pp 239-248 (2000).

Refereed Articles

F. Gaspari , I.M. Kupchak, A. I. Shkrebtii, and J. M. Perz, Phys. Rev. B 79, 224203 (2009).

I. M. Kupchak, F. Gaspari, A. I. Shkrebtii, and J. M. Perz, J. Appl. Phys. 104, 123525-1 (2008)

N.P. Kherani, B. Liu, K. Virk, T. Kosteski, F. Gaspari, W.T. Shmayda, S. Zukotynski, and K.P. Chen, “Hydrogen Effusion from Tritiated Amorphous Silicon”, J. Appl. Phys. 103, 024906 (2008)

A.V. Sachenko, I.O. Sokolovskyi, A. Kazakevitch, A.I. Shkrebtii, F. Gaspari “Modeling of photoconversion efficiency for hydrogenated amorphous Si p-i-n structures” Semiconductor Physics, Quantum Electronics & Optoelectronics, 10 p. 60-66 (2007)

I. M. Kupchak, F. Gaspari, A.I. Shkrebtii, J. Perz, available online at Condensed Matter Archive. http://arxiv.org/abs/0711.0912 [cond-mat.mtrl-sci] (2007)

http://arxiv.org/abs/0711.0912


Hall, Trevor J.; University of Ottawa http://www.site.uottawa.ca/~thall/

The University of Ottawa Centre for Research in Photonics (CRPuO) aims to explore the scientific foundations of photonics to develop a rigorous understanding of how photons interact with matter. The CRPuO applies theoretical and experimental knowledge to develop new classes of photonic materials and devices. The CRPuO fosters the necessary cross-disciplinary research required to address new applications in diverse domains, leveraging the strong regional concentration of photonics and technology companies, in partnership with universities and federal R&D facilities.


The University of Ottawa Centre for Research in Photonics is supported in part by governmental and industrial organizations such as NCIT, NSERC, CITO, Communication Research Centre (CRC), Nortel Networks, JDS Uniphase, Agilent, Altera and others.

Recent Publications

Przemek J. Bock, Pavel Cheben, Jens H. Schmid, Aitor V. Velasco, André Delâge, Siegfried Janz, Dan-Xia Xu, Jean Lapointe, Trevor J. Hall, María L. Calvo, "Demonstration of a curved sidewall grating demultiplexer on silicon", Opt. Exp, 20(18), 2012, pp. 19882-19892.

J. H. Schmid, P. Cheben, P. J. Bock, R. Halir, J. Lapointe, S. Janz, A. Delage, A. Densmore, J. -M. Fedeli, T. J. Hall, B. Lamontagne, R. Ma, I. Molina-Fernandez, D. -X. Xu, "Refractive Index Engineering With Subwavelength Gratings in Silicon Microphotonic Waveguides", IEEE Photonics Journal, 3(3), 2011, pp. 597-607.

Jeffrey F. Wheeldon, Christopher E. Valdivia, Alexandre W. Walker, Gitanjali Kolhatkar, Abdelatif Jaouad, Artur Turala, Bruno Riel, Denis Masson, Norbert Puetz, Simon Fafard, Richard Ares, Vincent Aimez, Trevor J.Hall, Karin Hinzer, "Performance comparison of AlGaAs, GaAs and InGaP tunnel junctions for concentrated multijunction solar cells", Progress in Photovoltaics, 2011, 19(4), pp. 442-452

Jeffrey F. Wheeldon, Christopher E. Valdivia, Alexandre W. Walker, Gitanjali Kolhatkar, Abdelatif Jaouad, Artur Turala, Bruno Riel, Denis Masson, Norbert Puetz, Simon Fafard, Richard Are` s, Vincent Aimez, Trevor J. Hall, Karin Hinzer, "Performance comparison of AlGaAs, GaAs and InGaP tunnel junctions for concentrated multijunction solar cells", Prog. Photovolt: Res. Appl. (2010) DOI: 10.1002/pip.1056 (11 pages) 12

http://www.site.uottawa.ca/~thall/


Hinzer, Karin; University of Ottawa www.sunlab.site.uottawa.ca/

The group’s activities include: low cost, high efficiency PV systems; concentrating PV systems; field deployable systems, and electronic load and measurement; materials and processes for quad-junction concentrated photovoltaic solar cells with conversion efficiencies in the 45%-50% range; and systems integration of flexible multi-junction solar cells.

2012 Research Team Members (numbers and % devoted to PV research): 3 post-docs (100%); 13 grad students (100%)


Newport Oriel 92191 solar simulator, using a 1600 W Xenon lamp to produce 1-150 times the intensity of the sun over a uniform beam of up to 2"×2".

Oriel 1-6 junction external and internal quantum efficiency characterisation system capable of also characterising reflectivity (direct and diffuse) from 300-1850 nm.

A Sinton flash solar simulator (300-1200 suns).

A state-of-the-art Spectrolab XT-30 solar simulator; uses a 3000 W Xenon lamp at its heart to generate intense light up to >1300 times the intensity of the sun.

In-house External Quantum Efficiency system with new optic setup with the IR laser and a spectrometer that can perform measurement in the extended range of 300 to 3000 nm.

A portable field ASD spectro-radiometer permits us to measure the light irradiance to do radiometric calibration of our solar simulators.

A Daystar DS-100C accurately measures the output of photovoltaic modules and systems up to 50 kW.

An electroluminescence setup that permits us to capture the luminescence of the solar cells under test with a camera and for reliability purposes, analyze them for defects.

An atomic force microscope used to quantitatively measure surface roughness at an atomic resolution.


Associations with Cyrium Technologies; Enablence; Morgan Solar; Neptec Design Group; Opel Solar; QuantaSol; Spectra-Solaris; Spectrolab; and QuadraSolar

Recent Publications

A. W. Walker, O. Thériault, M. Wilkins, J. F. Wheeldon, and K. Hinzer, “Tunnel-junction-limited multi-junction solar cell performance over concentration,” (9 pages), IEEE J. on Sel. Top. on Quantum Electron., 19(5), (2013).

M. Wilkins, A. Boucherif, R. Beal, J. E. Haysom, J. F. Wheeldon, V. Aimez, R. Arès, T. J. Hall, and K. Hinzer, “Multijunction Solar Cells using Silicon Bottom Subcell and Porous Silicon Compliant Membrane,” (7 pages), IEEE J. Photovoltaics, 3(5), (2013).

A. Walker, O. Thériault, J. F. Wheeldon, and K. Hinzer, “The Effects of Absorption and Recombination on Quantum Dot Multi-Junction Solar Cell Efficiency,” (7 pages), IEEE J. Photovoltaics, 3(3), (2013).

http://www.sunlab.site.uottawa.ca/


G. Kolhatkar, J. F. Wheeldon, C. E. Valdivia, A. W. Walker, S. Fafard, A. Turala, A. Jaouad, R. Arès, V. Aimez, and K. Hinzer, “Current-voltage measurements within the negative differential resistance region of AlGaAs/AlGaAs tunnel junctions for high concentration photovoltaic,” (5 pages), Int. J. Nanoscience, 11, 1240014 (2012).

J. F. Wheeldon, C. E. Valdivia, A. Walker, G. Kolhatkar, D. Masson, B. Riel, S. Fafard, A. Jaouad, A. Turula, R. Arès, V. Aimez, T. J. Hall, and K. Hinzer, “Performance comparison of AlGaAs, GaAs and InGaP tunnel junctions for concentrated multijunction solar cells,”(10 pages), Prog. Photovoltaics: Res. Appl., 19, 442–452 (2011).

G. Arbez, A. Walker, M. Wilkins, J. F. Wheeldon, K. Hinzer, and H. Schriemer, “4 Junction Dilute Nitride Solar Cell Optimization: Comparing Current Matching Approaches in Detailed Balance Algorithms,” 2013 IEEE 39th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, Tampa, USA, June 16-21 2013.

M. Wilkins, A. Walker, J. F. Wheeldon, G. Arbez, H. Schriemer, and K. Hinzer, “Design Constraints of p-i-n GaAs/InGaAsN Dilute Nitride Sub-Cells for 3- and 4- Junction Solar Cell Applications under Concentrated Illumination,” 2013 IEEE 39th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, Tampa, USA, June 16-21 2013.

Conference Proceedings:

A. Gabr, A. Walker, J. F. Wheeldon, T. J. Hall, R. N. Kleinman, and K. Hinzer, “Numerical Modeling of Silicon Nanocrystal Down-Shifting Layers for Enhanced Photovoltaic Efficiency,” 2013 IEEE 39th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, Tampa, USA, June 16-21 2013.

J. Mohammed, M. Yandt, M. Wilkins, A. Muron, T. J. Hall, J. F. Haysom, K. Hinzer, and H. Schriemer, “Collection and Storage of Direct Spectral Irradiance and DNI Datasets with High Temporal Resolution for CPV Energy Yield Assessments,” 2013 IEEE 39th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, Tampa, USA, June 16-21 2013.

F. Asseling Guay, R. Refaey, R. Beal, J. Haysom, H. Schriemer, and K. Hinzer, “Cyclage de l’assemblage de cellules à HCPV à l’aide du simulateur solaire XT-30,” Actes du RIED (Réseau interordre en énergie durable) 2013 Séminaire scientifique, Gatineau, Québec, June 19, 2013, 15-17 (2013). http://www.riednetwork.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Actes-ried-2013-VF.pdf

J. Sacks, R. M. Savidge, A. Gabr, A. Walker, R. M. Beal, J. F. Wheeldon, A. P. Knights, P. Mascher, K. Hinzer, and R. N. Kleiman, “Quantum Efficiency Measurements of Down-Shifting Using Silicon Nanocrystals for Photovoltaic Applications,” (5 pages), Photovoltaics Specialist Conference (PVSC), 2012 38th IEEE, June 3-8, 2012, Austin, USA, pp. 92-96 (2012).

A. M. Gabr, J. F. Wheeldon, R. Beal, A. Walker, J. Sacks, R. M. Savidge, T. J. Hall, R. N. Kleiman and K. Hinzer, “Modeling Down-Conversion and Down-Shifting for Photovoltaic Applications,” (5 pages), Photovoltaics Specialist Conference (PVSC), 2012 38th IEEE, June 3-8, 2012, Austin, USA, pp. 48-52 (2012).

R. M. Beal, J. Mohammed, A. Muron, M. Yandt, J. E. Haysom, P. Dufour, S. Myrskog, and K. Hinzer, “Beyond the 45th parallel: northern climate direct normal incidence data and analysis,”(4 pages), 8th International Conference on Concentrating Photovoltaic Systems, Toledo, Spain, April 16-18, 2012. Proc. 1477, 356-359 (2012).


Holdcroft, Steven; Simon Fraser University www.holdcroftgroup.ca

Focuses on research on bicontinuous nanoarchitectures that improve the efficiency of solar into electrical energy conversion. Solar energy conversion at a heterojunction cell is accomplished by four consecutive steps: (1) Photon absorption to create an exciton (Coulombically-bound electron-hole pair). (2) Exciton diffusion to a donor-acceptor (DA) junction. (3) Exciton dissociation (charge separation). (4) Charge carrier transport to the electrodes.

2012 Research Team Members (numbers and % devoted to PV research): 1 (50%)post-docs; 2 (100%) grad students


Synthesis, organic PV fab and testing

Publications

S. Ebadian, B. Gholamkhass, S. Shambayati, S. Holdcroft, P. Servati*, “Effects of Annealing and Degradation on Regioregular Polythiophene-Based Bulk Heterojunction Organic Photovoltaic Devices” Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 94 (2010) 2258–2264.

B. Gholamkhass, T. J. Peckham, S. Holdcroft, “Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Bearing Pendant Fullerenes: the issue of aggregation vs. self-organization”, Polymer Chem., 1 (2010) 708-719

Z. Zhou, J. L. Brusso, S. Holdcroft, “Directed Growth of 1-D Assemblies of Perylene Diimide from a Conjugated Polymer”, Chem. Mater., 22 (2010) 2287–2296

J. L. Brusso, M. R. Lilliedal, S. Holdcroft, “Pi-Conjugated Polymers with Thermocleavable Substituents for Use as Active Layers in Organic Photovoltaics”, Polymer Chemistry. 2, (2011), 175-180

B. Gholamkhass, S. Holdcroft, “Enhancing the Durability of Polymer Solar Cells using Gold Nano-Dots”, Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells, 95 (2011) 3106-3113

http://www.holdcroftgroup.ca/


Kherani, Nazir P.; University of Toronto http://www.ecf.utoronto.ca/~kherani

The Advanced Photovoltaics and Devices Research Group is focusing on innovative research and technology developments in the area of photovoltaic materials and devices allied disciplines of photonics are electronics, and emerging multidisciplinary field of nanotechnology. Current APD research activities include:

High efficiency heterojunction silicon photovoltaics (PV)

Thin film nanocrystalline-amorphous silicon materials and devices

Advanced dc saddle-field glow discharge deposition studies

Radioisotope micropower sources (RIMS)

Photonic crystal - semiconductor devices

Luminescence in rare earth doped silicon and carbon based materials

Photovoltaic - solar thermal integration

The APD Laboratories include inorganic thin film synthesis capabilities and a range of characterization facilities:

Synthesis Facilities: Multi-Chamber-Cluster RF Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition (PECVD) Facility; DC and RF PECVD Materials Facility; DC and RF PECVD Devices Facility; Evaporation and Sputtering Facilities; Wet Facilities

Characterization Facilities: Include ex-situ spectrophotometry (UV-Vis-IR, FTIR, SE); electrical and optoelectronic characterization facilities (CV, IV/SR); minority carrier lifetime mapping (microwave photoconductance decay, transient and quasi-steady state photoconductance); a range of complementary tools such as confocal microscope, and profilometer, red/green laser machining); and AM1.5, 1000 W/m2, temperature controlled I-V facility.

Tritium site license: Testing of semiconductor chips containing tritiated silicon and carbon materials

2012 Research Team Members (numbers and % devoted to PV research): 2 post-docs; 12 grad students; 2 research associates; 2 visiting scientists, 80% of personal research effort devoted to PV research.


Ecole Polytechnique, Palaiseau, France

LGEP-University of Paris, France

Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria

Photowatt Ontario

Opalux


Recent Publications

Paul G. O’Brien, Daniel P. Puzzo, Alongkarn Chutinan, Leonardo D. Bonifacio, Geoffrey A. Ozin, Nazir P. Kherani, “Selectively Transparent and Conducting Photonic Crystals”, Adv. Mater. 22 (2010) 611-616.

Mahtani, P., Leong, K.R., Xiao, I., Chutinan, A., Kherani, N.P., Zukotynski, S., "Diamond-like carbon based low-emissive coatings", Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells 95 1 (2011) 630-1637.

O’Brien, P., Yang, Y., Chutinan, A., Mahtani, P., Leong, K., Puzzo, D., Bonifacio, L., Lin, C-W., Ozin, G.A., Kherani, N.P., “Selectively transparent and conducting photonic crystal solar spectrum splitters made of alternating sputtered tin oxide and spin-coated silica nanoparticle layers for photovoltaics”, Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells 102 (2012) 173.

Paul O'Brien; Yang Yang; Alongkarn Chutinan; Pratish Mahtani; Keith Leong; Daniel Puzzo; Leonardo Bonifacio; Chen-Wei Lin; Geoffrey Ozin; Nazir Kherani, “Selectively Transparent and Conducting Photonic Crystal Solar Spectrum Splitters Made of Alternating Sputtered Indium-Tin Oxide and Spin-Coated Silica Nanoparticle Layers for Enhanced Photovoltaics”, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2012.03.005 (2012).

Zahidur R. Chowdhury, Kevin Cho, and Nazir P. Kherani, “High-Quality Surface Passivation of Silicon Using Native Oxide and Silicon Nitride Layers”, Applied Physics Letters 101 021601 (2012).

Pratish Mahtani, Keith R Leong, Bastien Jovet, Davit Yeghikyan, Nazir P Kherani, “High Quality Amorphous-crystalline Silicon Heterostructure Prepared by Grid-biased Remote Radio-frequency Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition” Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, 358 23 (2012) 3396-3402.


Kleiman, Rafael; McMaster University www. engphys.mcmaster.ca/faculty_staff/faculty/kleiman/index.htm

Silicon Based Multi-junction Solar Cells: In order to reduce the cost of multi-junction technology for use in one sun applications we have developed a multi-junction technology based on wafer bonding of III-V cells to low cost Silicon substrates, achieving 26% efficiency to date

Ultra-thin Silicon Solar Cells: In an effort to drastically reduce the cost of silicon solar cells we are developing ultra-thin solar cells (2-20 µm thick). The major challenges faced with this approach are handling of such thin cells and integrating advanced light trapping features to increase the absorption to a level comparable to conventional cells.

Third generation approaches to high efficiency: Our group is developing materials for down shifting and down conversion to better utilize the high energy photons from the solar spectrum, with potential to increase cell efficiency.

Advanced solar cell characterization: As solar cells become more complex and spectrally sensitive, the demands on material and cell characterization increase dramatically. Our group is developing novel and improved characterization methods to meet these challenges

2012 Research Team Members (numbers and % devoted to PV research): 1 (100%) post-doc; 11 (90%) grad students; 1 (100%) research associate


Centre for Emerging Device Technologies: Fabrication facility, materials growth (including III-V MBE, Ion Implantation, PE-CVD), materials characterization, device fabrication and testing.

Laboratory for Advanced Photovoltaic Research: Customized growth capabilities (including III-V MOCVD); advanced solar cell characterization; customized PV fabrication capabilities.


Working with industrial partners to the NSERC Photovoltaic Innovation Network

Recent Publications

Direct observation of anti-phase boundaries in heteroepitaxy of GaSb thin films grown on Si(001) by transmission electron microscopy, S. Y. Woo, S. Hosseini Vajargah, S. Ghanad-Tavakoli, R. N. Kleiman, G. A. Botton, Journal of Applied Physics, 112, 074306 (2012).

Atomic-resolved study of polarity reversal by scanning transmission electron microscopy in GaSb grown on Si, S. Hosseini Vajargah, S. Y. Woo, S. Ghanad-Tavakoli, R. N. Kleiman, J. S. Preston, G. A. Botton, Journal of Applied Physics, 112, 093101 (2012).

Lattice-registered growth of GaSb on Si (211) with molecular beam epitaxy, S. Hosseini Vajargah, S. Ghanad-Tavakoli, J. S. Preston, G. A. Botton, and R. N. Kleiman, Journal of Applied Physics, 112, 093103 (2012).

Silicon Solar Cell with Integrated Tunnel Junction for Multi-Junction Photovoltaic Applications, Jingfeng Yang, Jared Goguen and Rafael Kleiman, Electron Device Letters, 33 (12) 1732-1734 (2012).

http://engphys.mcmaster.ca/faculty_staff/faculty/kleiman/index.htm


III-V on Silicon Multi-Junction Solar Cell with 25% 1-Sun Efficiency via Direct Metal Interconnect and Areal Current Matching, Jingfeng Yang, Zhilin Peng, Dan Cheong and Rafael Kleiman, Proceedings of the 27th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference (EU PVSEC), pp 160-163 (2012).


Koivisto, Bryan D. ; Ryerson University www.ryerson.ca/solar

The most efficient next-generation photovoltaic cell is the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) with overall efficiencies exceeding 13%. Exploring and improving the dye-electrolyte interaction is a focal point for overcoming these long-term stability issues and limited efficiencies. As a result, our research program addresses this issue through the development of new dye platforms, and the replacement of the traditional and corrosive iodide/triodide solution-based electrolyte, in favour of hole-transport materials (HTM) or conducting polymers. When modifying the electrolyte, it is essential that we minimize capacitive interfaces (i.e. dye/electrolyte); therefore we integrate the dye directly into the HTM. By appending the dye donor with polymerizable subunits the HTM will be covalently linked to the redox-active dye, effectively eliminating the interface and substantially improving charge transfer kinetics and long-term device stability. Our initial dye synthesis has focused on a series of thiophene-modified dyes capable of being polymerized with a variety of polymers and HTMs. Our program focuses on multi-step property-directed chemical syntheses, advanced characterization (including electronic spectroscopy, electrochemistry and computational methods) and, through collaboration with the University of Calgary, the University of Toronto and York University, device fabrication.

2012 Research Team Members (numbers and % devoted to PV research):

1 postdoc – 100%; 3 graduate students – 100%; 3 research associates – 100%


Our capacity is predominantly chemical synthesis of next-generation materials and their physical characterization. We rely on collaboration for device fabrication.


Currently have a project (see attached research project) with Toronto Hydro. Also, formulated a collaborative agreement and research team (Advanced Solar Design and Innovation) with Tim Bender at the University of Toronto and Sylvie Morin at York University.

Publications

Cyclometalated ruthenium chromophores for the dye-sensitized solar cell Bomben, P.G.; Robson, K.C.D.; Koivisto, B.D.; Berlinguette, C.P., Coord. Chem. Rev., 2012, 256, 1438-1450.

Derivatization of Bichromic Cyclometalated Ru(II) Complexes with Hydrophobic Substituents Robson, K.C.D.; Koivisto, B.D.; Berlinguette, C.P., Inorg. Chem., 2012, 51, 1501-1507.

Regioselective C-H Activation of Cyclometalated bis-Tridentate Ruthenium Complexes Muise, S.S.R.; Severin H.A.; Koivisto, B.D.; Robson, K.C.D.; Schott, E.; Berlinguette, C.P., Organometallics, 2011, 30, 6628-6635.

Cyclometalated Dye Complexes and Their Use in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Berlinguette, C.P.; Koivisto, B.D.; Robson, K.C.D., 2011, Pub. No.: WO/2011/032269 International Application No.: PCT/CA2010/001430.

http://apps.webofknowledge.com/full_record.do?product=UA&search_mode=GeneralSearch&qid=1&SID=4EOjOlGKjPBpmHbOi@C&page=1&doc=1

http://apps.webofknowledge.com/full_record.do?product=UA&search_mode=GeneralSearch&qid=1&SID=4EOjOlGKjPBpmHbOi@C&page=1&doc=1


Towards Broad Spectral Sensitization Through the Hybridization of Organic and Inorganic Dye Design Elements

Robson, K.C.D.; Sporinova, B.; Koivisto, B.D.; Berlinguette, C.P., Polym. Prepr., 2011, 52, 881-882.

Systematic Modulation of a Bichromic Cyclometalated Ruthenium(II) Scaffold Bearing a Redox-Active Triphenylamine Constituent

Robson, K.C.D.; Sporinova, B.; Koivisto, B.D.; Schott, E.; Brown, D.G.; Berlinguette, C.P., Inorg. Chem., 2011, 50, 6019-6028


LaPierre, Ray; McMaster University http://epic.mcmaster.ca/~lapierre/index.htm

Interested in III-V nanowires, molecular beam epitaxy, and applications in photovoltaics. Developing next generation, high efficiency PV based on III-V nanostructures.


9 grad students; 75% devoted to PV


Centre for Emerging Device Technologies containing III-V molecular beam epitaxy


Collaborate with Cleanfield Energy (Ontario).

Recent Publications

K. Chen, J.-J. He, M. Li and R.R. LaPierre, Fabrication of GaAs nanowires by colloidal lithography and dry etching, Chinese Phys. Lett. 29 (2012) 036105

A.C.E Chia, M. Tirado, Y. Li, S. Zhao, Z. Mi, D. Comedi and R.R. LaPierre, Electrical transport and optical model of GaAs-AlInP core-shell nanowires, J. Appl. Phys. (accepted for publication, March 29, 2012)

N.C. Vega, R. Wallar, J. Caram, G. Grinblat, M. Tirado, R.R. LaPierre and D. Comedi, ZnO nanowires co-growth on SiO2 and C by vapour advection and Au-catalyzed deposition, Nanotech. (submitted, 2012)

J.P. Boulanger and R.R. LaPierre, Patterned gold-assisted growth of GaP nanowires on Si, Semicond. Sci. Technol. 27 (2012) 035002

C.M. Haapamaki and R.R. LaPierre, Facilitating growth of InAs-InP core-shell nanowires through the introduction of Al, J. Cryst. Growth 345 (2012) 11

C.M. Haapamaki and R.R. LaPierre, Molecular beam epitaxy growth mechanisms in InAs/InP nanowire heterostructures, Nanotechnology 22 (2011) 335602

J.P. Boulanger and R.R. LaPierre, Polytype formation in GaAs/GaP axial nanowire heterostructures, J. Cryst. Growth 332 (2011) 21

R.R. LaPierre, Theoretical conversion efficiency of a two-junction nanowire on Si solar cell, J. Appl. Phys. 110 (2011) 014310

http://epic.mcmaster.ca/~lapierre/index.htm


Leclerc, Mario; Laval University www.chm.ulaval.ca/poly_conducteurs/en/index.html

Poly(2,7-carbazole) and poly(thieno[3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione) derivatives developed by our team are, so far, among the best p-type polymeric materials for bulk heterojunction solar cells. Indeed, with a certified power conversion efficiency of 7.2% when blended with a fullerene derivative (i.e. PCBM), a Voc of 0.90 V and an estimated lifetime of 7 years, PCDTBT surpasses the performances of P3HT (the most studied polymeric material) and is now considered as the new standard for highly efficient BHJ solar cells. On the other hand, PBDTTPD and PDTSTPD also stand among the most efficient polymeric materials with optimized power conversion of 7.2% and 8.1%, respectively. Along these lines, the development of semiconducting polymers was, and still is, strongly linked to the availability of simple and reliable coupling procedures to afford well-defined and reproducible polymeric semiconductors. However, these generally involve numerous synthetic steps and organometallic reagents that give rise to metal waste and toxic by-products. To reduce significantly the cost of the synthesis of well-defined polymeric semiconductors, we recently developed a green, cost-effective and efficient polymerization method called Direct Heteroarylation Polymerization (DHAP). DHAP allows the formation of carbon-carbon bonds between (hetero)arenes and aryl halides, which do not require organometallic intermediates thereby significantly reducing both synthetic steps and cost. We have shown that DHAP lead to well-defined, high molecular weight and tin-free copolymers. The latter should open new possibilities for the efficient, sustainable synthesis of semi-conducting polymers which should then facilitate their entry into “real” applications.


2 post-docs (100%); 6 grad students (85%); 3 research associates (90%)


Two wet chemistry laboratories for up to 16 researchers, 1 characterization lab (TGA, DSC, UV-Vis, Electrochemistry), full access to clean room for the preparation and evaluation of PV devices (high vacuum evaporator, solar cell simulator, EQE measurements)


We worked (2008-2012) with Konarka Technology Inc., under SDTC program, and also on a contract for exclusive research. We are collaborating with St-Jean Photochemical, a Canadian company specialized in the scale up of electroactive materials.

Recent Publications

L. G. Mercier, B. R. Aïch, A. Najari, S. Beaupré, P. Berrouard, A. Pron, A. Robitaille, Y. Tao, M. Leclerc ''Direct Heteroarylation of B-Protected Dithienosilole and Dithienogermole Monomers with Thieno[3,4-c]Pyrrole-4,6-Dione and Furo[3,4-c]Pyrrole-4,6-Dione'', Polym. Chem. 2013, doi: 10.1039/C3PY21138J.

F. Grenier, P. Berrouard, J.- R. Pouliot, H.-R. Tseng, A. J. Heeger, M. Leclerc, ''Synthesis of New Low Bandgap n-Type Isoindigo Copolymers'', Polym. Chem., 2013, doi: 10.1039/C2PY20986A

J.-R. Pouliot, L. G. Mercier, S. Caron, M. Leclerc, '' Accessing new DPP-based copolymers by direct heteroarylation polymerization'', Macromol. Chem. Phys., 2013, 214, 453-457.

http://www.chm.ulaval.ca/poly_conducteurs/en/index.html


A. Tournebize, P.-O. Bussière, P. Wong-Wah-Chung, S. Thérias, A. Rivaton, J.-L. Gardette, S. Beaupré, M. Leclerc, '' Impact of UV-visible light on the morphological and photochemical behavior of a low bandgap poly(2,7-carbazole derivative for use in high-performance solar cells'', Adv. Energy Mater., 2013, doi: 10.1002/aenm.201200662.

D. H. Wang, A. Pron, M. Leclerc, A. J. Heeger, ''Additive-Free Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells with Enhanced Power Conversion Efficiency Comprising Newly Designed Selenophene-Thienopyrrolodione Copolymer'' Adv. Funct. Mater., 2013, doi:10.1002/adfm.201202541.


*Li, Yuning; University of Waterloo http://chemeng.uwaterloo.ca/faculty/Yuning%20Li.html

Design and molecular engineering of organic/polymer semiconductors for organic electronics, including: Organic thin film transistors (OTFT); polymer bulk-heterojunction photovoltaics (OPV); small molecule-based OPV; dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC); organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs); chemical/biosensors and photo-detectors.

Low temperature-processable conductive inks, including: Metal nanoparticle inks for printing highly conductive features on plastic substrates; solution processable transparent conductors to replace expensive indium-tin-oxide (ITO).

Design, fabrication, and characterization of organic electronics:

OTFTs and their logic circuits for e-paper, displays, sensors, etc.;DSC on plastic substrates; stacked/tandem organic solar cells

Recent Publications

Li, Y.; Sonar, P.; Singh, S. P.; Soh, M. S.; van Meurs, M.; Tan, J. “Annealing-Free High Mobility Diketopyrrolopyrrole-Quaterthiophene Copolymer for Solution-Processed Organic Thin Film Transistors” J. Am. Chem. Soc. in press

Sonar, P.; Singh, S. P.; Li, Y.; Soh, M. S.; Dodabalapur, A. “A Low Band Gap Diketopyrrolopyrrole-benzothiadiazole-based Copolymer for High Mobility Ambipolar Organic Thin Film Transistors” Adv. Mater. 2010, 22, 5409

Zeng, W.; Yong, K. S.; Kam, Z. M.; Zhu, F.; Li, Y. “Effect of blend layer morphology on performance of ZnPc:C60-based photovoltaic cells” Appl. Phys. Lett. 2010, 97, 133304

Li, Y.; Singh, S. P.; Sonar, P. “A high mobility p-type DPP-thieno[3,2-b]thiophene copolymer for organic thin film transistors” Adv. Mater. 2010, 22, 4862

Jiang, C.; Sun, S.; Zhao, D.; Kyaw, A. K. K. Li, Y. “Low work function metal modified ITO as cathode for inverted polymer solar cells” Sol. Energ. Mat. Sol. Cells 2010, 94, 1618

Li, C.; Li, Y.; Wu, Y.; Ong, B. S.; Loutfy, R. O. “Fabrication conditions for solution-processed high-mobility ZnO thin-film transistors” J. Mater. Chem. 2009, 19, 1626

http://chemeng.uwaterloo.ca/faculty/Yuning%20Li.html


Ma, Dongling; Institut national de la recherche scientifique www.inrs.ca/dongling-ma?f=publications

Research activities related to photovoltaics are: 1) synthesis of semiconductor nanocrystals (also known as quantum dots) for the solar cell applications, 2) synthesis of plasmonic nanoparticles of various shapes and of different resonances for solar cells applications; 3) hybridizing quantum dots with one-dimensional nanostructures (such as carbon nanotubes and TiO2 nanobelts) and investigating their photon absorption and charge transfer behavior; 4) applying hybridized structures of quantum dots and one-dimensional nanostructures into organic solar cells and evaluating their photovoltaic performance; 5) fabricating and investigating depleted heterojunction solar cells based on vertically aligned TiO2 nanorods; 6) developing new electrodes based on carbon-nansotructures for solar cells applications; 7) integrating plasmonic nansotructures into different-configuration solar cells.

2012 Research Team Members (numbers and % devoted to PV research): 1 post-doc (100%); 3 (100% ) grad students.

Brief description of research facilities:

Basic nanomaterial synthesis facilities, hydrothermal synthesis facilities, glove box, spin coater, UV-Vis-NIR absorption spectrometer , Fluorometer, Dynamic light scattering instrument, source-measure unit.

Publications

H. Liang, D. Rossouw, H. Zhao, S. K. Cushing, H. Shi, A. Korinek, H. Xu,F. Rosei, W. Wang,N. Wu, G. A. Botton, D. Ma, JACS, in press, DOI: 10.1021/ja404345s.

D. Wang, H. Zhao, N. Wu, M. A. El Khakani, D. Ma, J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2010, 1, 1030–1035.

D. Wang, J. K. Baral, H. Zhao, B. A. Gonfa, V. V. Truong, M. A. Elkhakani, R. Izquierdo, D. Ma, Adv. Funct. Mater. 2011, 21, 4010.

Belete Gonfa, My Ali El Khakani, Dongling Ma, Rev. Nanosci. Nanotech. 2012, 1, 22-39.

Ka, V. Le Borgne, D. Ma, and M. A. El Khakani, Adv. Mater. 2012, 24, 6289.

A. Y. Mahmoud, J. Zhang, D. Ma, R. Izquierdo, V. Truong, Org. Electron, 2012, 13, 3102.

H. Liang, H. Zhao, D. Rossouw, W. Wang, H. Xu, G. A. Botton, D. Ma, Chem. Mater. 2012, 24, 2339-2346.

H. Zhao, M. Chaker, N. Wu, D. Ma, J. Mater. Chem. 2011, 21, 8898, Highlighted at http://blogs.rsc.org/jm/

https://exchange.emt.inrs.ca/owa/redir.aspx?C=eb46fb90098748bfaf3cf91296c359b4&URL=http%3a%2f%2fblogs.rsc.org%2fjm%2f


Madden, John; University of British Columbia www.mina.ubc.ca/jmadden

The focus is on demonstrating solar cells that can both generate and store energy harvested from light. The basic approach is similar to that of dye-sensitized cells, but with the dyes dissolved in solution. Absorption of light by the reaction centers leads to separation of charge. These charges are transferred to mobile mediators that store the energy until it is transferred to electrodes. The aim is to produce solar cells with reasonable efficiencies (> 12 %, and potentially up to 27 %), that also store energy.

2012 Research Team Members (numbers and % devoted to PV research): 2 (100 %) post-docs; 4 (100 %) grad students; 1 (25 %) research associate.


Reaction centre production facility, solar simulator, electrochemical apparatus.

Associations (consultant, collaborations, technology transfer, etc.) with Canadian or international PV industry

Sunlogics, Power Management, Epod Solar, and Daystar.

Recent Publications

Houman Yaghoubi, Zhi Li, Daniel Jun, Rafael Saer, Joanna E Slota, Martin Beerbom, Rudy Schlaf, John D Madden, J Thomas Beatty, Arash Takshi, Journal of Physical Chemistry C 116:47 pp. 24868-24877, DOI: 10.1021/jp306798p, online 7 Nov 2012.

A Mahmoudzadeh, R Saer, D Jun, S M Mirvakili, A Takshi, B Iranpour, E Ouellet, E Legally, J D W Madden and J T Beatty, “Photocurrent generation by electron transfer using photosynthetic reaction centres”, Smart Materials and Structures 20 (2011) 6 pages, doi: 10.1088/0964-1726/20/9/094019.

Arash Takshi, John D. Madden, J. Thomas Beatty, Ali Mahmoudzadeh, Rafael Saer, “A photovoltaic device using an electrolyte containing photosynthetic reaction centers”, Energies, 3, 1721-1727, 2010.

A. Takshi, J.D. Madden, J.T. Beatty “Diffusion model for charge transfer from a photosynthetic reaction center to an electrode in a photovoltaic device”, Electrochimica Acta 54, 3806-11 2009.

Houman Yaghoubi, Arash Takshi, Daniel Jun, Rafael Saer, John D Madden, J Thomas Beatty, “Free-floating Reaction Centers (RCs) versus Attached Monolayer of RCs in Bio-photoelectrochemical Cells”, MRS Proceedings 1414, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1557/opl.2012.735, 2012.

Arash Takshi, Houman Yaghoubi, Daniel Jun, Rafael Saer, John D Madden, J Thomas Beatty, “Application of Wide Band Gap Semiconductors to Increase Photocurrent in a Protein Based Photovoltaic Device”, MRS Proceedings 1414, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1557/opl.2012.762, 2012.

http://www.mina.ubc.ca/jmadden

http://journals.cambridge.org/abstract_S194642741200735X

http://journals.cambridge.org/abstract_S194642741200735X

http://dx.doi.org/10.1557/opl.2012.735

http://scholar.google.ca/scholar?oi=bibs&hl=fr&cluster=2261557910170043325&btnI=Lucky

http://scholar.google.ca/scholar?oi=bibs&hl=fr&cluster=2261557910170043325&btnI=Lucky

http://dx.doi.org/10.1557/opl.2012.762


Marsan, Benoît; Université du Québec à Montréal www.nanoqam.uqam.ca/professeur.php?id=6&lang=en

We are developing novel components (semiconducting materials, catalysts and electrolytes) to be used in electrochemical photovoltaic cells. During the last 3 years, we optimized the synthesis and characterization of a new colloidal method to prepare nanocrystalline n-type CuInS2 particles. We are also preparing CuInS2/graphene composite electrodes in order to increase the electrical connection between the CuInS2 particles. Another project aims at developing low-cost, highly efficient and stable thin-film photovoltaic (PV) cells based on the junction between p and n-type nanostructured Cu(In,Al)S2 semiconductors synthesized using a recently patented colloidal method. More recently, we initiated a project to synthesize and characterize novel dyes molecules, with lower bandgap energy and higher absorptivity than the conventional ruthenium-based dyes, and with an excellent thermal stability, to be incorporated in DSSC devices.


post-docs 1 (100%) ; grad students 3 (100%) ; undergrad students: 2 (100%)


Solar simulator, multi-potentiostat / frequency analyzer, 4-point probe, glove box


Hydro Quebec

Recent Publications

J. Burschka, V. Brault, S. Ahmad, L. Breau, M.K. Nazeeruddin, B. Marsan, S.M. Zakeeruddin and M. Grätzel (2012), "Influence of the counter electrode on the photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cells using a disulfide/thiolate redox electrolyte", Energy Environ. Sci., 5, 6089-6097.

F.M . Courtel, A. Hammami, R. Imbeault, R.W. Paynter, B. Marsan and M. Morin (2010), "Synthesis of CuInS2 Particles Using N-methylimidazole, Characterization and Growth Mechanism", Chem. Mater., 22, 3752-3761

M. Wang, N. Chamberland, L. Breau, J.-E. Moser, R. Humphry-Baker, B. Marsan, S.M. Zakeeruddin and M. Grätzel (2010), "A Novel Organic Redox Electrolyte Rivals Triiodide/iodide in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells", Nature Chemistry, 2, 385-389.

M. Wang, A.M. Anghel, B. Marsan, N.-L.C. Ha, N. Pootrakulchote, S.M. Zakeeruddin and M. Grätzel (2009), "CoS Supersedes Pt as Efficient Electrocatalyst for Triiodide Reduction in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells", JACS, 131 (44), 15976-15977.

F.M. Courtel, R.W. Paynter, B. Marsan and M. Morin (2009), "Synthesis, Characterization, and Growth Mechanism of n-Type CuInS2 Colloidal Particles", Chem. Mater., 21(16), 3752-3762.


*Mi, Zetian; McGill University http://www.ece.mcgill.ca/~zmi/

The group is focused on the investigation of compound semiconductor nanostructures and their applications in nanoelectronic and nanophotonic devices and systems. Our primary research areas include: Epitaxial growth and fundamental properties of semiconductor nanostructures, such as quantum dots, nanowires, and nanotubes; III-nitride materials and devices; light emitting diodes, lasers, solar cells, and solar fuels; quantum dot micro and nanotube photonics and Si photonics; DNA sensors; and nanowire transistors and thermoelectric devices.


III-nitride molecular beam epitaxial growth system

Measurement and testing equipment for nanophotonic devices, including nanowire LEDs, nanoscale lasers, and solar cells

Temperature variable micro-photoluminescence spectroscopy

Equipment for artificial photosynthesis including photocatalytic water splitting and photo-reduction of carbon dioxide

Various device design and simulation software

Nanofabrication facility (www.mcgill.ca/microfab/)

Nanomaterials characterization facility


Morin, Jean-François; Laval University www.chm.ulaval.ca/jfmorin/2009/Recherche.html

Research focuses on the development of new oligomeric and polymeric conjugated materials based on anthanthrone and fullerene. Involved in the synthesis, characterization and some basic device testing.

2012 Research Team Members (numbers and % devoted to PV research): 2 grad students


Mostly synthetic capability. Clean room, solar simulator, microscopy, XRD, DSC and all basic polymer characterization tools

Publications

Rondeau-Gagné, S.; Néabo, J. R.; Desroches, M.; Larouche, J.; Brisson, J.; Morin, J.-F. Topochemical Polymerization of Phenylacetylene Macrocycles: A New Strategy for the Preparation of Organic Nanorods J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013, 135, 110-113.

Giguère, J.-B.; Verolet, Q.; Morin, J.-F. 4,10-Dibromoanthanthrone as a New Building Block for p-Type, n-Type and Ambipolar π-Conjugated Materials Chem. Eur. J. 2013, 19, 372-381.

Garon, C.; Daigle, M.; Levesque, I.; Dufour, P.; Iden, H.; Tessier, C.; Maris, T.; Morin, J.-F.; Fontaine, F.-G. On the Interaction of Acetone with Electrophilic Metallocavitands having Extended Cavities Inorg. Chem. 2012, 51, 10384.

Roméo Néabo, J.; Vigier-Carrière, C.; Rondeau-Gagné, S.; Morin, J.-F. Room Temperature Synthesis of Soluble, Fluorescent Carbon Nanoparticles from Organogel Precursors Chem. Commun. 2012, 48, 10144-10146.

Cantin, K.; Lafleur-Lambert, A.; Dufour, P.; Morin, J.-F. Studies Toward the Synthesis of Phenylacetylene Macrocycle-Based Pseudorotaxanes as Building Blocks for Organic Nanotubes Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2012, 5335.


Nunzi, Jean-Michel; Queens University www.chem.queensu.ca/people/faculty/Nunzi/

Research on large area plastic solar cells: Study of the effect of carbon nanotubes and metal nanoparticles on the efficiency and stability of polymer PV cells.

Research on ultimate efficiency solar cells (rectifying antenna PV): Study the possibility to implement a metallic nanoantenna technology in order reach the threshold for field-induced ionization of molecules using solar light.


7 grad students; 1 research associates; 1 visiting scientist; (all 75%)


Thin film vacuum deposition, spin coater, solar simulator,

Spectrometers, current – voltage probe station, lasers, fume hoods.


Collaboration with Disa Solar – France

Publications:

“Requirements for a rectifying antenna solar cell technology”, J.M. Nunzi, Proc SPIE 7712, 771204 (2010).

“Improving the Current density Jsc of organic solar cells P3HT:PCBM by structuring the photoactive layer with functionalized SWCNTs“, H. Derbal-Habak, C. Bergeret, J. Cousseau, J.M. Nunzi, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells 95, S53–S56 (2011)

“New fullerene derivatives for the photovoltaic application”, H. Derbal-Habak, C. Bergeret, J. Cousseau, J.J. Simon, L. Escoubas, J.M. Nunzi, J. Photon. Energy 1, 011120 (2011)

“An air stable hybrid Inverted tandem solar cell design”, F. Liu, J.M. Nunzi, Appl. Phys. Lett. 99, 063301 (2011) (top 20 downloaded paper)

“Origin of photocurrent generation and collection losses in large area organic solar cells”, A.K. Pandey, J.M. Nunzi, Appl. Phys. Lett. 99, 093309 (2011) (top 10 downloaded paper)

“Organic solar cells' materials and active layer designs, improvements with carbon nanotubes: a review”, B. Ratier, J.M. Nunzi, M. Aldissi, T.M. Kraft, E. Buncel, Polym. Int. 61, 342–354 (2012)

“Enhanced Organic Light Emitting Diode and Solar Cell Performances using Silver Nano-clusters“, F. Liu, J.M. Nunzi, Organic Electronics 13, 1623-1632 (2012)

“Impact of selective thermal annealing on rubrene-C60 heterojunction solar cells”, A.K. Pandey, J.M. Nunzi, Synthetic Metals 162, 2171-2175 (2012) DOI: 10.1016/j.synthmet.2012.10.005


*O’Leary, Stephen; University of British Columbia http://www.ubc.ca/okanagan/engineering/faculty/o_leary.html

This research program aims (1) to study some of the fundamental materials issues related to novel electronic materials, and (2) to explore the resultant device implications. The overall goal of these research endeavors is to advance the understanding of novel electronic materials, to provide researchers in the field with tools for the analysis of these materials, and to equip the emerging novel electronic materials industry with engineering methodologies for device design and optimization. Current research projects include:

Optical response of disordered semiconductors; dislocations and occupancy in III-V semiconductors; occupancy in disordered semiconductors; and the mobility edge and the properties of disordered semiconductors

Recent Publications

E.Baghani and S.K. O’Leary, Electron mobility limited by scattering from screened positively charged dislocation lines within indium nitride, Applied Physics Letters, Volume 99, pages 262106-1-3, 2011.

E.Baghani and S.K. O’Leary, Occupation statistics of the VGa-ON dislocations within n-type wurtzite gallium nitride, Journal of Applied Physics, Volume 110, pages 033509-1-6, 2011.

E.Baghani and S.K. O’Leary, Occupation statistics of dislocations within uncompensated n-type wurtzite gallium nitride, Journal of Applied Physics, Volume 109, pages 113706-1-6, 2011.

W.A.Hadi, S.K. O’Leary, M.S. Shur, and L.F. Eastman, The sensitivity of the steady-state electron transport within bulk wurtzite zinc oxide to variations in the non-parabolicity coefficient, Solid State Communications, Volume 151,pages 874-878, 2011.

J.J.Thevaril and S.K. O’Leary, The role that conduction band tail states play in determining the optical response of hydrogenated amorphous silicon,Solid State Communications, Volume 151, pages 730-733, 2011.

F.Orapunt and S.K. O’Leary, Spectral variations in the optical transition matrix element and their impact on the optical properties associated with hydrogenated amorphous silicon, Solid State Communications, Volume 151,pages 411-414, 2011.

http://www.ubc.ca/okanagan/engineering/faculty/o_leary.html


*Pearce, Joshua; Queens University http://me.queensu.ca/People/Pearce/

Photovoltaic Materials and Electronic Device Physics of Solar Photovoltaic Cells:

Hydrogenated amorphous and nanocrystalline silicon (a-Si:H, nc-Si:H)

Gallium nitride (GaN) and indium gallium nitride (InGaN)

Semiconductor defects

Recent Publications

J. M. Pearce, “Expanding Photovoltaic Penetration with Residential Distributed Generation from Hybrid Solar Photovoltaic + Combined Heat and Power Systems”, Energy 34, pp. 1947-1954 (2009). Q -Share pre-print

J. M. Pearce, N. Podraza, R. W. Collins, M.M. Al-Jassim, K.M. Jones, J. Deng, and C. R. Wronski "Optimization of Open-Circuit Voltage in Amorphous Silicon Solar Cells with Mixed Phase (Amorphous + Nanocrystalline) p-Type Contacts of Low Nanocrystalline Content", Journal of Applied Physics, 101(11), 114301, 2007. pdf

S. Y. Myong, K. S. Lim, J. M. Pearce, "Double amorphous silicon-carbide p-layer structures producing highly stabilized pin-type protocrystalline silicon multilayer solar cells", Applied Physics Letters, 87(19), 193509 (2005); 87, 259901(2005).

G.M. Ferreira, A.S. Ferlauto, Chi Chen, R.J. Koval, J.M. Pearce, C. Ross, C.R. Wronski and R.W. Collins, "Kinetics of Silicon Film Growth and the Deposition Phase Diagram", Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, 338-340, pp. 13-18, 2004.

G.M. Ferreira, Chi Chen, R.J. Koval, J.M. Pearce, R. W. Collins, and C. R. Wronski, "Optimization of protocrystalline silicon p-type layers for amorphous silicon n-i-p solar cells", Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, 338-340, pp. 694-697, 2004.

A. S. Ferlauto, G. M. Ferreira, J. M. Pearce, C. R. Wronski, R. W. Collins, X. Deng and G. Ganguly, "Analytical Model for the Optical Functions of Amorphous Semiconductors and Its Applications in Thin Film Photovoltaics", Thin Solid Films 455-456, pp. 388-392, 2004.

http://hdl.handle.net/1974/5307

http://hdl.handle.net/1974/5307

http://link.aip.org/link/?JAPIAU/101/114301/1

http://link.aip.org/link/?JAPIAU/101/114301/1

http://me.queensu.ca/People/Pearce/files/t14.pdf


*Perepichka, Dmitrii; McGill University http://perepichka-group.mcgill.ca

The main research theme of this group is discovering new electronic properties in organic and hybrid materials. Towards this goal, the group is primarily engaged in design and synthesis of novel pi-conjugated molecules and polymers, and the study of their optical and electronic behavior. While development of fundamental understanding in this field is the long-term goal, the objectives are often selected with a specific application(s) in mind. These applications include organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), field-effect transistors (OFETs) and photovoltaic solar cells (OPVs). Some of these devices are being fabricated in our own lab.


2 post-docs; 7 grad students; 1 research associates


FT-IR spectroscopy:

ThermoNicolet 6700 FTIR(20000-400 cm–1)equipped with:DTGS, MCT and photoacoustic detectors, Smart Orbit (ATR), SAGA (grazing angle), PIKE VATR accessories

Absorption/Emission Spectroscopy:

JACSO V670 UV-Vis-NIR (200-2500 nm)Varian Eclipse Fluorometer (with integrating sphere);Ocean Optics UV-Vis (fiber optics); Langmuir-Blodgett bath

KSV Instrument

Scanning Probe Microscopy: Nanosurf easyScan 2 low-current STM

Vapor Deposition Systems:

Edwards Auto 360 (modified for organic and metal deposition)All-glass homemade high-vacuum organic deposition systemPlasmionique High Vacuum Vapor deposition system

Electrochemistry:

CH-Instrument double potentiostatBAS Epsilon potentiostateControlled growth mercury drop electrode

Recent Publications

Towards " green " electronic materials. α -Oligofurans as Semiconductors,O. Gidron, A. Dadvand, Y.Sheynin, M. Bendikov,* D.F. Perepichka,* Chem. Commun. 2011, 1976-1979.

New Stable Donor-Acceptor Dyads for Molecular Electronics,M. Kondratenko, A. Moiseev, D.F. Perepichka*, J. Mater. Chem. 2011, 21, 1470-1478.

Mastering Fundamentals of the Supramolecular Design with Carboxylic acids. Common lessons from X-ray cryslallography and scanning tunneling microscopy,O. Ivasenko, D.F. Perepichka*, Chem. Soc. Rev. 2011, 40, 191-206.

New azaborine-thiophene heteroacenes,M. Lepeltier, O. Lukoyanova, A. Jacobson, D.F. Perepichka*, Chem. Comm. 2010, 7007-7009.

http://perepichka-group.mcgill.ca/

http://perepichka-group.mcgill.ca/papers/65.pdf






NIR Photoresponse in New Up-Converting CdSe/NaYF4:Yb,Er Nano-Heterostructures,C. Yan, A. Dadvand, F. Rosei*, D.F. Perepichka*, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2010, 132, 8868.

Step-by-step growth of aligned polythiophene wires by surface-confined oligomerization,J.A. Lipton-Duffin, J.A. Miwa, M. Kondratenko, F. Cicoira, B.G. Sumpter, V. Meunier*, D.F. Perepichka*, F. Rosei*, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA. 2010, 107, 11200-11204.




Preston, John; McMaster University http://photovoltaics.mcmaster.ca/contacts.html

Current projects examine novel enhancements to silicon solar cells, new types of II-VI solar cells and hybrid cells using nanostructures and organic materials. We are also developing entirely new material systems that offer the potential of exceptional photovoltaic performance.

2012 Research Team Members (numbers and % devoted to PV research): post-docs 2 (80%); grad students 7 (100%)


Through the Brockhouse Facilities, we have comprehensive capabilities for materials analysis through X-Ray and electron-based approaches.

Fabrication facilities are through the Centre for Emerging Device Technologies.

Publications

S.H. Vajargah, S. Ghanad-Tavakoli, J.S. Preston, G.A. Botton, R.N. Kleiman, Lattice-registered growth of GaSb on Si (211) with molecular beam epitaxy, J. Appl. Phys. 112(9) #093103 (2012).

S.H. Vajargah, S.Y. Woo, S. Ghanad-Tavakoli, J.S. Preston, G.A. Botton, R.N. Kleiman, Atomic-resolution study of polarity reversal in GaSb grown on Si by scanning transmission electron microscopy, . Appl. Phys. 112(9) #093101 (2012).

A.P. Yuen, S.M. Jovanovic, A.M. Hor, R.A. Klenkler, G.A. Devenyi, R.O. Loutfy and J.S. Preston, Photovoltaic properties of M-phthalocyanine/fullerene organic solar cells, Solar Energy 86(6) p:1683-1688 (2012).

A. Sundar, R.A. Hughes, P. Farzinpour, K.D. Gilroy, G.A. Devenyi, J.S. Preston, S. Neretina, Manipulating the size distribution of supported gold nanostructures, Appl. Phys. Lett. 100(1) # 013111 (2012).

G.A. Devenyi, S.Y. Woo, S.H. Vajargah, S. Ghanad-Tavakoli, R.A. Hughes, R.N. Kleiman, G.A. Botton, J.S. Preston, The role of vicinal silicon surfaces in the formation of epitaxial twins during the growth of III-V thin films, J. Appl. Phys. 110(12) #124316 (2011).

A.P. Yuen, N.M. Bamsey, A.M. Hor, J.S. Preston, R.A. Klenkler, S.M Jovanovic, R.O. Loutfy, Rubrene as an additive in M-phthalocyanine/fullerene organic solar cells Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells 95, 3137-3141 (2011).

http://photovoltaics.mcmaster.ca/contacts.html


Sargent, Ted; University of Toronto www.light.utoronto.ca

The Sargent Lab has pioneered the use of colloidal quantum dot (CQD) technology for energy harvesting. The technology is inexpensive, involves simplified fabrication and is resulting in rapidly improving solar power conversion efficiencies through systematic optimization.

CQDs are semiconductor particles a few nanometres in diameter processed in liquid. The size and materials of the quantum dots are tunable such that they can absorb across the entire sun's spectrum as compared to single-crystal semiconductors. CQDs can be easily painted on to a variety of surfaces including flexible materials. The stability of the quantum dot solar cells has been optimized through choice of materials, choice of electrical contact and processing steps.

The Sargent Group is continuing to optimize the materials and device structure of quantum dot solar cells to improve the power conversion efficiency to above 10%. In parallel, best practices in methods of fabrication are being developed for scaled up production of CQD devices.


14 post-docs; 13 grad students; 5 research associates; 2 visiting scientists


The Sargent group synthesizes semiconductor and metal nanoparticles in laboratories at the University of Toronto equipped with chemical fume hoods and nitrogen-purged glove boxes. Device fabrication occurs in facilities equipped with 9 glove boxes, a thermal evaporator in a glove box (Angstrom Engineering Inc), sputtering systems, and an atomic layer deposition (ALD) system (Cambridge Nanotech) for atomic layer coatings housed in a glove box. Available characterization equipment in the group includes automated AM1.5G solar simulator testing stations (ScienceTech, Solar Light), an external quantum efficiency setup, a UV-VIS-IR spectrophotometer with integrated sphere for measuring absorption and scattering (Cary), and a multi-wavelength photoluminescence setup with visible to near-infrared capabilities. We have been awarded a CFI grant to renovate facilities to house over $6 million in new equipment, including for optical characterization, high throughput film formation, an additional advanced ALD system and an in-house combined STM/UPS/XPS system (~$2.5 million).


Innovative Technology (US) worked with us to understand and control the environment and solvents purity needed for the high-yield manufacture of quantum dot solar cells.

Angstrom Engineering (Kitchener, Ontario) partners with us on the development of a Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) system for use in the manufacture of quantum dot solar cells.

Total American Services and Subsidiary Hutchison works with us on extended-wavelength quantum dot photovoltaics that meet the requirements of a variety of innovative energy contexts including waste-heat scavenging.We collaborate with ScienceTech (London, Ontario) on investigating the physical and electronic properties of photovoltaic nanomaterials using the unique capabilities of the ScienceTech Photovoltaic Testing System.

We are collaborating with Oerlikon Solar (now Tokyo Electron Corp; Switzerland), a leading thin film amorphous silicon solar cell manufacturer.


We are working with IBM Research (Canada/US) to develop novel substrates for quantum dot solar cells.

Publications

Z. Ning, D. Zhitomirsky, V. Adinolfi, B. Sutherland, J. Xu, O. Voznyy, P. Maraghechi, X. Lan, S. Hoogland, Y. Ren, E. H. Sargent, “Graded Doping for Enhanced Colloidal Quantum Dot Photovoltaics,” Advanced Materials, DOI: 10.1002/adma.201204502, 2013.

X. Lan, J. Bai, S. Masala, S. M. Thon, Y. Ren, I. J. Kramer, S. Hoogland, A. Simchi, G. I. Koleilat, D. Paz-Soldan, Z. Ning, A. J. Labelle, J. Kim, G. Jabbour, E. H. Sargent, “Self-Assembled, Nanowire Network Electrodes for Depleted Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells,” Advanced Materials, DOI: 10.1002/adma.201203759, 2013.

H. Liu, D. Zhitomirsky, S. Hoogland, J. Tang, I. J. Kramer, Z. Ning, E. H. Sargent, “Systematic optimization of quantum junction colloidal quantum dot solar cells,” Applied Physics Letters, vol. 101, pp. 151112, 2012.

D. Zhitomirsky, M. Furukawa, J. Tang, P. Stadler, S. Hoogland, O. Voznyy, H. Liu, E. H. Sargent, “N-Type Colloidal-Quantum-Dot Solids for Photovoltaics,” Advanced Materials, Advanced Materials, vol. 24, pp. 6181-6185, 2012.

Z. Ning, Y. Ren, S. Hoogland, O. Voznyy, L. Levina, P. Stadler, X. Lan, D. Zhitomirsky, E. H. Sargent, “All-Inorganic Colloidal Quantum Dot Photovoltaics Employing Solution-Phase Halide Passivation,” Advanced Materials, DOI:12.1002/adma.201202942, 2012. (10.880)

O. Voznyy, D. Zhitomirsky, P. Stadler, Z. Ning, S. Hoogland, E. H. Sargent, “A Charge-Orbital Balance Picture of Doping in Colloidal Quantum Dot Solids,” ACS Nano, DOI:101021/nn303364d, 2012. (11.421)

J. Tang, H. Liu, D. Zhitomirsky, S. Hoogland, X. Wang, M. Furukawa, L. Levina, E. H. Sargent, “Quantum Junction Solar Cells,” Nano Letters, DOI: 10.1021/nl302436r, 2012. (13.198)

M. Graetzel, R. A. J. Janssen, D. B. Mitzi, E. H. Sargent, “Materials interface engineering for solution-processed photovoltaics,” Nature, vol. 488, pp. 304-312, 2012. (36.280)


Santato, Clara; École Polytechnique de Montréal http://www.polymtl.ca/ematerials/en/

Research includes:

WO3/upconverting nanoparticles systems for photoelectrochemical applications

Electrolyte gated WO3 thin film transistors making use of imidazolium ionic liquids

Electrolyte gated PCBM thin film transistors making use of imidazolium ionic liquids


6 grad students (5-70%); 1 vising scientist (100%)


Photoconductivity at the microscale in controlled atmosphere

N2 glove boxes for organic PV (thin film deposition and processing)

Time of flight system coupled to a pulsed (ns) tunable laser (400-2500 nm) for charge transport measurements by photoexcitation

Associations with Canadian or international PV industry:

Engage with SolarisChem

HQ for the Strategic Project Network

Recent Publications:

K.T. Dembélé, R. Nechache, A. Vomiero, C. Santato, L. M. Nikolova,S. Licoccia, F. Rosei, 'Effect of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes on the stability of Dye Sensitized Solar Cells', Journal of Power Source, vol. 233, p. 93-97, 2013.

I. Valitova, F. Mahvash, C. Santato, R. Martel, F. Cicoira*, Carbon nanotube electrodes in organic transistors, Nanoscale (2013), 5, 4638 - 4646 (invited Minireview).

G. Tarabella, F. M. Mohammadi, N. Coppedé, F. Barbero, S. Iannotta, C. Santato and F. Cicoira, 'New opportunities for organic electronic devices: ions in action', Chemical Science, vol. 4, issue. 4, p. 1395-1409, 2013.

J. Wünsche, G. Tarabella, S. Bertolazzi, M. Bocoum, N. Coppedè, L. Barba, G. Arrighetti, L. Lutterotti, S. Iannotta, F. Cicoira and C. Santato, 'On the correlation between gate dielectric, film growth, and charge transport in organic thin film transistors: the case of vacuum-sublimed tetracene thin films', Journal of Material Chemistry C, Journal of Material Chemistry C, vol. 1, issue. 5, p. 967-976 , 2013.

J. Sayago, F. Rosei, and C. Santato, “Organic photonics: Blending organic building blocks,” Nature Photonics, vol. 6, no. 10, p. 639–640, 2012.

D. Işık, C. Santato, S. Barik, and W. G. Skene, “Charge-Carrier Transport in Thin Films of π-Conjugated Thiopheno-Azomethines,” Organic Electronics, vol. 13, no. 12, p. 3022–3031, 2012.

http://www.polymtl.ca/ematerials/en/


Sazonov, Andrei; University of Waterloo www.ece.uwaterloo.ca/~asazonov/

Research is focusing on low-temperature thin film silicon devices, especially research on amorphous and nano-crystalline semiconductors and dielectrics for electronics on flexible substrates. Flexible amorphous and nanocrystalline silicon solar cells on plastic foils have been developed with efficiencies between 5% and 6%. Flexible modules 100 cm2 have been made with power output 200 W/kg. Currently, the group is developing high-throughput reel-to-reel manufacturing process for these modules.

Further improvement of module efficiency is also being pursued. Three strategies of increasing thin film solar cell conversion efficiency are being explored: i) tandem solar cells based on pc-Si/nc-Si/nc-Ge; ii) single layer nc-Si QD/QW solar cells; iii) efficient light management including novel contact layers and backside reflectors.

2012 Research Team Members (numbers and % devoted to PV research): 1 post-docs; 4 grad students; 4 research associates; 1 visiting scientist


G2N lab facilities – thin film solar cell research and development (class 10,000 clean room, PECVD/sputtering cluster tools, reel-to-reel PECVD/sputtering cluster tool, RIE systems, thermal/e-beam evaporation, multiple characterization tools (FTIR, Raman, UV/VIS spectroscopy, profilometry, AFM, SEM, stress measurements, AM 1.5 solar cell efficiency characterization). Prototyping capabilities: up to 1 ft2 area on glass panels or plastic foils.

Associations with Canadian or international PV industry:

Collaboration with and consulting for Hevel Solar Ltd (Russia), NEXT ENERGY Research Center (Germany).

Recent Publications:

“Flexible Thin Film Silicon Solar Cells” (Plenary Talk), 8th International Conference on Amorphous and Microcrystalline Semiconductors (AMS-8), Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 2, 2012.

Y. Vygranenko, M. Vieira and A. Sazonov, “Thin-film Photodiode with an a-Si:H/nc-Si:H Absorption Bilayer,” Abstract, MRS Spring Meeting, San Francisco, CA, April 2012.

Vygranenko, Y., Sazonov, A., Fernandes, M., P., Vieira, M., (2011) "Photodiode with nanocrystalline Si/amorphous Si absorber bilayer", Appl.Phys.Lett., 99: 191111-1 – 191111-3.

M. Moradi, M. Pathirane (Student), A. Sazonov, R. Chaji, and A. Nathan, (2011) ”TFTs With High Overlay Alignment for Integration of Flexible Display Backplanes,” IEEE/OSA Journal of Display Technology 7: 36-39.

E. Fathi (Student), Y. Vygranenko, M. Vieira, A. Sazonov, (2011) ”Boron-doped nanocrystalline silicon thin films for solar cells,” Appl.Surf.Sci. 257: 8901-8905.

http://www.ece.uwaterloo.ca/~asazonov/

http://journals1.scholarsportal.info/search-advanced.xqy?q=E.%20Fathi&field=AU

http://journals1.scholarsportal.info/search-advanced.xqy?q=Y.%20Vygranenko&field=AU

http://journals1.scholarsportal.info/search-advanced.xqy?q=M.%20Vieira&field=AU

http://journals1.scholarsportal.info/search-advanced.xqy?q=A.%20Sazonov&field=AU


*Seferos, Dwight; University of Toronto www.chem.utoronto.ca/staff/seferos/

Our research focuses on the synthesis of polymer semiconductors and polymer nanomaterials. We target polymers with optical and electronic properties that make them well suited for solar energy, sensing, and biomedical imaging. The chemical challenge is that polymer properties are controlled by both molecular structure and interactions beyond the molecular scale. Our approach is to design and synthesize novel polymers, control the organization of these polymers at the nanoscale, and determine how structure and interactions influence properties.

2012 Research Team Members (numbers and % devoted to PV research): 10 grad students; 3 post-docs

Recent Publications

Jon Hollinger, J. Sun, D. Gao, D. Karl, D. S. Seferos Statistical Conjugated Polymers Comprising Optoelectronically Distinct Units Macromolecular Rapid Communications. 2013, DOI: 10.1002/marc.201200777

Ashlee A. Jahnke , Brandon Djukic , Theresa M. McCormick , Ester Buchaca Domingo , Christoph Hellmann , Yunjeong Lee , and Dwight S. Seferos Poly(3-alkyltellurophene)s Are Solution-Processable Polyheterocycles Journal of the American Chemical Society. 2013, 135, 951-954

Colin R. Bridges, Paul M. DiCarmine, Ana Fokina, David Huesmann and Dwight S. Seferos Synthesis of gold nanotubes with variable wall thicknesses Journal of Materials Chemistry A. 2013, 1, 1127-1133

Kozycz, L. M.; Gao, D.; Hollinger, J.; Seferos, D. S. Donor–Donor Block Copolymers for Ternary Organic Solar Cells. Macromolecules 2012, 45, 5823-5832

Bridges, C.R.; DiCarmine, P. M., Seferos, D. S. Gold Nanotubes as Solution-Suspendable Refractive Index Reporters. Chem. Mat. 2012, 24, 963–965

Gao, D.; Seferos, D. S. Size-Dependent Behavior of Polymer Solar Cells Measured Under Partial Illumination. Sol. 32, 8546-8547

http://www.chem.utoronto.ca/staff/seferos/


*Semenikhin, Oleg; University of Western Ontario www.uwo.ca/chem/people/faculty/semenikhin_oleg.htm

The current research directions in the Semenikhin group include design of organic and carbon-based solar cells and charge storage devices, studies of the nanoscale properties of materials using scanning probe techniques, electrochemistry and photoelectrochemistry of semiconductor materials. In the first area, the goal is to improve the photoefficiency of various types of solar cells, as well as to design new materials and architectures for the solar energy conversion. In particular, we use transient and non-steady-state techniques such as intensity modulated photocurrent and photovoltage spectroscopies (IMPS/IMVS) to optimize the charge transport and collection processes and to minimize the recombination losses in various types of solar cells. A very recent research direction is the development of all-carbon solar cells based on semiconducting carbon materials such as nitrogen and phosphorus-doped carbon.

Recent Publications

J.C. Byers, F. Billon, C. Debiemme-Chouvy, C. Deslouis, A. Pailleret, O.A. Semenikhin, Photocurrent generation in carbon nitride and carbon nitride/conjugated polymer composites, ACS Appl. Mater. Interf., 2012, vol. 4, pp. 4579–4587.

T.T. Kantzas, J.C. Byers, O.A. Semenikhin, Photocurrent enhancement in polythiophene-based photoelectrodes through electrochemical anodic halogenation, J. Electrochem. Soc. 2012, vol. 159, pp. H885-H892.

J.C. Byers, S. Ballantyne, K. Rodionov, A. Mann, O.A. Semenikhin. Mechanism of Recombination Losses in Bulk Heterojunction P3HT:PCBM Solar Cells Studied Using Intensity Modulated Photocurrent Spectroscopy. ACS Appl. Mater. Interf., 2011, vol. 3, pp.392-401.

O. A. Semenikhin, Mesoscopic Inhomogeneity of Conducting and Semiconducting Polymers, Annu. Rep. Prog. Chem. C: Phys. Chem., 2010, vol. 106, pp. 163-191.

P.M. DiCarmine, X. Wang, B. L. Pagenkopf, O.A. Semenikhin, New Electropolymerized Poly(thienyl-silole)s for All-Polymer Solar Cells: Incorporation of Silole Results in Remarkable Enhancement of Photoefficiency Compared to Polybithiophene, Electrochem. Comm., 2008, vol. 10, pp. 229-232.

http://www.uwo.ca/chem/people/faculty/semenikhin_oleg.htm


*Shankar, Karthik; NRC – National Institute for Nanotechnology / University of Alberta www.ece.engineering.ualberta.ca/en/FacultyStaff/FacultyAcademic/KarthikShankar.aspx

Dr. Shankar’s research interests include the growth of nanotube and nanowire arrays in inorganic and organic semiconductors; the characterization of the optoelectronic properties of nanoscale materials; and the use of nanostructured materials to improve the performance of photovoltaic devices, thin film transistors and light emitting diodes. He is also interested in excitonics; colloidal quantum dots, quantum wires and π-conjugated molecules are excitonic semiconductors, due to which the understanding and control of excitonic creation and annihilation, migration, delocalization, coherence and dissociation are of fundamental importance.

2012 Research Team Members (numbers and % devoted to PV research): 8 grad students

Recent Publications

Mohammadpour A, Utkin I, Bodepudi SC, Kar P, Fedosejevs R, Pramanik S and Shankar K, Photophysics and Energy Transfer Studies of Alq3 Confined in the Voids of Nanoporous Anodic Alumina, Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (in press).

Ma AM, Gupta M, Chowdhury FR, Shen M, Bothe K, Shankar K, Tsui YY and Barlage DW, ZnO Thin Film Transistors with Schottky Source Barriers, Solid-State Electronics 74 104-108 2012.

Adl AH, Ma A, Gupta M, Benlamri M, Tsui YY, Barlage DW and Shankar K, Schottky barrier thin film transistors using solution-processed ZnO, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 4(3) 1423-1428 2012.

Li Z, Shankar K, Mor GK, Grimminger RA, Lin CM, Anthony JE and Grimes CA, "Functionalized pentacenes for dye-sensitized solar cells", Journal of Photonics for Energy, 2011 1 Art. No. 011106.

Bandara J, Shankar K, Basham J, Wietasch H, Paulose M, Varghese OK, Grimes CA and Thelakkat M, "Integration of TiO2 nanotube arrays into solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells", European Physical Journal - Applied Physics 2011 53(2) Art. No. 20601.

Bandara J, Shankar K, Grimes CA and Thelakkat M, Efficient and stable, structurally inverted poly(3-hexylthiophene): [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester heterojunction solar cells with fibrous like poly(3-hexylthiophene), Thin Solid Films 2011 520(1) 582-590

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0038110112001347

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0038110112001347

http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/am201656h

http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/am201656h


Sivoththaman, Siva; University of Waterloo http://www.capds.uwaterloo.ca

Current research activities are underway on several fronts of photovoltaics: (1) Crystalline Si device structures: high efficiency c-Si devices, new cells with buried epitaxial emitter structures, ultra-thin crystalline Si cells, (2) Thin film devices: low-T, high rate nc-Si films, semitransparent solar cells, plasmonic strucutures for thin films, Ge-based thin films, (3) Nano material synthesis: synthesis and characterization of quantum dots, ZnO nanowire synthesis, Q-dot sensitized nano-wire soar cells, (4) Spectrally engineered devices: photoluminescent down-shifting by nanostructures for Si solar cells, (5) Advanced screen-printing technologies: low-stress low-firing printing materials for ultra-thin wafers, (6) System studies: module interconnect options, new encapsulation materials, integrated electronics for smart modules, (7) Health and Safety: studies on the use of new processes and nano-materials in PV fabrication environments.


3 post-docs; 12 grad students; 1 research associates; (~90% devoted to PV research)


Crystal Growth: Czochralski crystal puller, Si recrystallization furnaces, ingot grinder, internal diameter saw, wire saw, polishing & grinding equipment.

Thin Films: PECVD, LPCVD, Sputtering (ac/dc/RF) tools

Metallization: Evaporator (e-beam/thermal), metal screen printers (2), IR belt furnace

Pattern Transfer: resist-coater, mask aligner

High temp. processes: Oxidation/diffusion (4-stak) furnaces, rapid thermal processor

Nano-material synthesis: glove-boxes (2) for Q-dot processing, dip-coater system for W-dot assembly, Autoclave nanowire growth station.

Characterization: Quantum efficiency, Solar simulator, High and low frequency C-V, Parametric analyzer, Lifetime/LBIC/Resistivity mapping, Hall effect, DLTS, Spectroscopic ellipsometry, FTIR, UV-Vis spectrophotometer, Photoluminesence, SEM, EBIC , Cathodoluminescence, EBSD.

Solar cell fabrication: Class 10,000 and 1000 cleanroom, solar cell pilot line.

Module making: 60 cm x 60 cm lamination capability.

PV system simulation lab, Experimental test-bed.

Recent Publications

M. Gharghi, E. Fathi, B. Kante, S. Sivoththaman, and X. Zhang, “Heterojunction Silicon Microwire Solar Cells”, Nano Letters, vol.12 (2012) pp. 6278−6282.

M. Gharghi and S. Sivoththaman, “Spherical Photovoltaic Device with Tailored Emitter Structure”, IEEE Electron Device Letters, vol.32, Jan 2011, pp.48-50.

B. Esfandiarpour and S. Sivoththaman, “A Silicon Texturing Technique Based on Etching Through a Liquid-Phase Deposited Oxide Mask”, Electrochemical and Solid-State Letters, vol.13, 2010, pp.D97-D99.

http://www.capds.uwaterloo.ca/


N. Bakhshizadeh and S. Sivoththaman, “New Screen-printed Metal Paste Options for PV Manufacturing”, Materials Research Society (MRS) Proceedings (April 2012, San Fransisco, CA) Vol.1447, DOI: 10.1557/opl.2012.1464, p.1-5

B. Janfeshan and S. Sivoththaman, “Synthesis and Properties of ZnO Nanowires for Photovoltaics”, SPIE Proceedings, vol.8007 Photonics North (2011),p.1-5

B. Sadeghimakki, N. M. Sadeghi Jahed, and S. Sivoththaman, “Photoluminescence Properties of Core/Shell CdSe/ZnS Quantum Dots Encapsulated with Transparent layers for Third Generation Photovoltaics,” Proc. of the Materials Research Society (MRS), April 2011, San Fransisco), vol.1322, b02-02, p.1-5.


Skene, Will; Université de Montréal www.groupskene.com

The Skene group research involves the synthesis and characterization of new conjugated materials for organic photovoltaic applications. These materials include both D-A (donor-acceptor) small molecules and polymers that can be easily prepared either in solution or directly on the device substrate. Research effort also focuses on using spectroscopic and electrochemical characterization techniques of these materials in solution, thin films, and working photovoltaic devices using time-resolved and steady-state spectroscopy and electrochemistry to understand the primary dynamic processes in these systems. We are also interested in examining structure-property studies of these materials in thin films.

2012 Research Team Members (numbers and % devoted to PV research): 2 grad students; 7 research associates; 1 visiting scientist


Manual OFET and OPVD fabrication and characterization. In-house automatic facilities for both OPVD fabrication and testing. Automatic computer controlled parameter adjustments of active layer composition and thickness, in addition to electrode deposition of various metals will all be possible. Fabricated devices will also be automatically analyzed by robots for PCE and EQE efficiencies. We also have in-house substrate characterization facilities, including AFM, elliposometry, profilometry (thickness and 3D mapping), and multi-channel potentiostats for electrochemical and impedance spectroscopy. This is completemented with time-resolved spectroscopy for measuring ps-sec. intermediates in solution, thin films, and solids ranging between 250 to 1700 nm.


Collaboration with Prof. Klaus Meerholz, University of Cologne, Germany. for OPVD fabrication and characterization

Publications

Bolduc, A., Barik, S, Lenze, M., Meerholz, K.,* Skene. W.G.* “Polythiophenoazothiophenes –Alternate Photoactive Materials for Photovoltaics”, J. Phys. Chem. A, in press (2013).

Barik, S. Skene, W.G.* “Turning-on the Quenched Fluorescence of Azomethines via Structural Modifications” Eur. J. Org. Chem., in press (2013).

Sicard, L., Navarathne, D., Skalski, T., Skene, W.G.* “On-Substrate Preparation of An Electroactive Conjugated Polyazomethine from Solution Processable Monomers and Its Application in Electrochromic Devices”, Adv. Funct. Mater., in press (2013).

Robert, P., Bolduc, A., Skene, W.G.* “Oligofluorenes as Polymeric Model Compounds for Providing Insight into the Triplets of Ketone and Ketylimine Derivatives”, J. Phys. Chem. B., in press (2012).

Bolduc, A., Mallet, C., Skene. W.G.* “Survey of Recent Advances of ?-Conjugated Heterocyclic Azomethines As Materials With Tuneable Properties” Sci. China Chem., 56, 3-23 (2013). (Invited review)

Işık, D., Santato, C.,* Barik, S., Skene. W.G.,* “Charge-Carrier Transport in Thin Films of p-Conjugated Thiopheno-Azomethines” Org. Electronics, 3, 3022–3031 (2012).

http://www.groupskene.com/


Wartak, Marek S. ; Wilfrid Laurier University http://bohr.wlu.ca/mwartak/

The focus of our research is the theoretical modeling and computer simulations of carrier transport in low-dimensional solar cells. The approach is based on NEGF and phenomenological rate equations. Luttinger-Kohn models are used to describe band structure. We concentrate on semiconductor quantum wells and quantum dots.

The overall aim is to understand, through theoretical work and computer simulations the limitations on efficiency and suggest possible improvements.

2012 Research Team Members (numbers and % devoted to PV research): grad student 1; research associates2; visiting scientists 1 (30%)


Collaboration with Cyrium Technologies

Publications

M.S. Wartak, K. L. Tsakmakidis and O. Hess, “Slow light and losses in metamaterials”, PHOTONS vol. 9 (1), 22-26 (2011)

M.S. Wartak, K. L. Tsakmakidis and O. Hess, “Introduction to metamaterials”, Physics in Canada 67, 30-34 (2011).

K. L. Tsakmakidis, M.S. Wartak, J.J.H. Cook, J.M. Hamm and O. Hess, “Negative-permeability electromagnetically induced transparent and magnetically-active metamaterials”, Phys. Rev. B 81, 195128 (2010).

M.S. Wartak, “Optical gain in InGaAsN quantum well structures. Summary of various approaches”, in Quantum Wells: Theory, Fabrication and Applications, Editors: Alfred Ruyter and Harper O'Mahoney, pp.249-280, Nova Science Publishers, May 2010.

M.S. Wartak and P. Weetman, “Advanced modeling and simulations of quantum well based semiconductor lasers”, Handbook of Semiconductor Nanostructures and Nanodevices, v. 4, pp.409-455, edited by A.A. Balandin and K. L. Wang, American Scientific Publishers, Los Angeles (2006).

http://bohr.wlu.ca/mwartak/

Documents

Overview of Solar Cell R&D 4th Ed - Photovoltaic Home ...pvinnovation.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Canmet-Solar-Cell-RD... · Report – 2013-125 (RP-TEC) 411-PVINOV April, 2013