Updated September 2011 Electronics Applications in Nanotechnology Copper Oxide Solar Cells

Updated September 2011

Electronics Applications in

NanotechnologyCopper Oxide Solar Cells


Image by HighPoint Learning
















• Calculate and record the Power

Power(Watts) = Voltage(Volts) x Current(Amps)

• Measure the Surface Area of the copper oxide

Area(meter2) = Length(meter) x Width(meter)


• Power of solar cell =______________ W• Surface Area of the copper oxide = ______m2

• Sun’s Energy = 1000 W/m2

• Calculate the Efficiency of the cell%Efficiency = Power(watts)

Sun’s Energy(Watts/meter2) x Surface Area(meter2)

• Efficiency = _______________%


Image courtesy National Renewable Engergy Laboratories


• Compare the Surface Areas of these cells

33

33

r =1.25

A= length x width + 2πrh = 20.78A= length x width = 9

h=1.5

Images by HighPoint Learning


• Although the Efficiency should stay the same, increasing the Surface Area is a valid strategy to make an inefficient cell usable.

A= length x width + 2πrh x64 = 84.4

33

r =.125

h=1.5



%Efficiency = Power(watts) ÷ Sun’s Energy(Watts/meter2) x Surface Area(meter2)

0.9W 2.078W 8.44W



cc by Kristian Molhave


Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

cc by M.R. Jonescc by Ronald Sastrawan


• How is nanotechnology being used in solar applications?

• What are some of the new materials in solar cells?

• What are some new strategies being used in solar cells?


This module is one of a series designed to introduce faculty and high school students to the basic concepts of nanotechnology. Each module includes a

PowerPoint presentation, discussion questions, and hands-on activities, when applicable.

The series was funded in part by:

The National Science Foundation

Grant DUE-0702976and the

Oklahoma Nanotechnology Education Initiative

Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in the material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the

National Science Foundation or the Oklahoma Nanotechnology Education Initiative.


Image Credits

Jones, M.R. (Designer). Dye Sensitized Solar Cell Scheme.png [Digital Diagram]. Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org)

Molhave, Kristian (Professor) and Martinsson, Thomas (Designer), Epitaxial Nanowire Heterostructures SEM image.jpg [Scanning Electron Microscope image], United Kingdom, Wikimedia Commons

(commons.wikimedia.org)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (Designer). Carbon Nanotubes.jpg [Digital Image]. United States. Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org)

Sastrawan, Ronald. (Designer). Dye.sensitized.solar.cells.jpg [Digital Image]. Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org)


References

Berger, Michael. (2010). Improved design for dye-sensitized solar cells includes quantum dot antennas. NanoWerk. Retrieved from http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=15000.php

Grätzel, Michael. (2003). Dye-sensitized solar cells. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology C: Photochemistry Reviews. Issue 4. Pages 145–153.

Williams, Linda and Dr. Wade Adams. (2007). Nanotechnology Demystified. [Kindle Version] doi: 10.1036/0071460233

Wilson, Michael, Kanangara, Kamali, Smith, Geoff, Simmons, Michelle, & Raguse, Burkhard. (2004). Nanotechnology: Basic Science and Emerging Technologies. [Kindle Edition] Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com

Documents

Updated September 2011 Electronics Applications in Nanotechnology Copper Oxide Solar Cells