Grant: Engage Grants Program
Wilfrid Laurier University
$25,000.00
Dynamical processes in quantum dots based solar cells
FY 2011-12
Summary
High demand for clean electricity has led in the past years to a great diversity of solar energy conversion
concepts and attempts to improve the efficiency of existing solar cells. The basic structure of a solar cell
consists of conventional crystalline semiconductor bipolar junctions. Using different materials to absorb
different spectral portions of sunlight is a well known practice for improving the efficiency of solar cells.
Conventionally, this can be achieved by using mechanically stacked or monolithic tandem structures. More
advanced solar cells are based on nano-structures (quantum wells and/or quantum dots) and were originally
proposed as an alternative to multi-junction devices. Those nano-structures are fabricated from very thin (of the
order of 100 Angstroms, or 1/100000000 meters) layers of various semiconductor materials.
The objectives of this proposal are to develop mathematical models and the relevant software simulation tools
to describe dynamical physical processes in the operation of solar cells based on quantum dots. Those
important processes are known as carrier capture and escape. We will analyze the role of those processes on the
photocurrent of solar cells. The outcomes of our research will be an understanding of the optimal band energies
of quantum dots for achieving the maximum photocurrent, and possible limitations due to those processes on
the efficiencies of solar cells. The research results will be in the form of physical models and, based on them,
written software. In due process, the software will be used to simulate new and improved designs of solar cells
with increased efficiencies.
This research is important to Cyrium Technologies (the supporting Company), which produces solar cells
based on novel technology utilizing quantum dots, to optimize and to improve cell performance for terrestrial
generation of power. This technology is poised to revolutionize the generation of solar energy. The current
efficiencies of Cyrium cells are about 40% and are among world leaders; there is still room for improvement
and the research proposed here is one step in that direction.
Program
Engage Grants Program
Recipient
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
428484-2011
Name nom
Wartak, Marek
Department département
Physics and Computer Science
Organization id
35
Institution établissement
Wilfrid Laurier University
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2011
Competition year année de concours
2011
Award amount
25000
Program id
EGP
Program nane en
Engage Grants Program
Program name fr
Programme de subventions d'engagement partenariat
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
1553
Committee name en
Ontario Internal Decision Committee
Committee name fr
Comité de décision interne pour l'Ontario
Area of application code
305
Area of application group en
Energy resources
Area of application group fr
Ressources d'énergie
Area of application en
Energy storage and conversion
Area of application fr
Stockage et transformation de l'énergie
Research subject code
2516
Research subject group en
Electrical and electronic engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie électrique et électronique
Research subject en
Energy conversion and distribution
Research subject fr
Conversion et distribution de l'énergie
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
Dynamical processes in quantum dots based solar cells
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
High demand for clean electricity has led in the past years to a great diversity of solar energy conversion
concepts and attempts to improve the efficiency of existing solar cells. The basic structure of a solar cell
consists of conventional crystalline semiconductor bipolar junctions. Using different materials to absorb
different spectral portions of sunlight is a well known practice for improving the efficiency of solar cells.
Conventionally, this can be achieved by using mechanically stacked or monolithic tandem structures. More
advanced solar cells are based on nano-structures (quantum wells and/or quantum dots) and were originally
proposed as an alternative to multi-junction devices. Those nano-structures are fabricated from very thin (of the
order of 100 Angstroms, or 1/100000000 meters) layers of various semiconductor materials.
The objectives of this proposal are to develop mathematical models and the relevant software simulation tools
to describe dynamical physical processes in the operation of solar cells based on quantum dots. Those
important processes are known as carrier capture and escape. We will analyze the role of those processes on the
photocurrent of solar cells. The outcomes of our research will be an understanding of the optimal band energies
of quantum dots for achieving the maximum photocurrent, and possible limitations due to those processes on
the efficiencies of solar cells. The research results will be in the form of physical models and, based on them,
written software. In due process, the software will be used to simulate new and improved designs of solar cells
with increased efficiencies.
This research is important to Cyrium Technologies (the supporting Company), which produces solar cells
based on novel technology utilizing quantum dots, to optimize and to improve cell performance for terrestrial
generation of power. This technology is poised to revolutionize the generation of solar energy. The current
efficiencies of Cyrium cells are about 40% and are among world leaders; there is still room for improvement
and the research proposed here is one step in that direction.
