Polymer-based solar Polymer-based solar cellscells

By:By:

Víctor CastilloVíctor Castillo

MEEN 3344MEEN 3344

CompositionComposition

Thin films of polymersThin films of polymers Small-molecule compounds like:Small-molecule compounds like: Polyphenylene vinylenePolyphenylene vinylene Copper PhthalocyanineCopper Phthalocyanine Carbon fullerenesCarbon fullerenes

CharacteristicsCharacteristics

LightweightLightweight Very designableVery designable Low environmental Low environmental

impactimpact Plasticized lookPlasticized look Dark in colorDark in color

UsesUses

Low energy calculatorsLow energy calculators Battery chargersBattery chargers Electrical feedersElectrical feeders Charging backpacksCharging backpacks

Vs Silicon cellsVs Silicon cells

Advantages:Advantages:• Cheaper (about Cheaper (about

one-tenth)one-tenth)• EnvironmentEnvironment

Disadvantages:Disadvantages:• Efficiency (only ¼ Efficiency (only ¼

compared to compared to silicon)silicon)

• DegradationDegradation

ReferencesReferences Bailey, S., Harris, J., Hepp, A., Anglin, E., Raffaelle, Bailey, S., Harris, J., Hepp, A., Anglin, E., Raffaelle,

R. R. Thin film organic solar cells for space power. Thin film organic solar cells for space power. Nasa Glenn Resarch Center.Nasa Glenn Resarch Center.

Wikipedia. Wikipedia. www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell#Cost_benefitwww.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell#Cost_benefit

Dennler G., and Sariciftci N.S. Dennler G., and Sariciftci N.S. Flexible Conjugated Flexible Conjugated Polymer-Based Plastic Solar Cells. Polymer-Based Plastic Solar Cells. 20052005

Winters, Jeffrey. Winters, Jeffrey. Catching more rays.Catching more rays. Plastic, Crystal-Based Solar Cells Being Developed Plastic, Crystal-Based Solar Cells Being Developed

9/7/2006. 9/7/2006. www.photonics.com//content/news/2006/septemberwww.photonics.com//content/news/2006/september/7/84392.a/7/84392.a