Understanding the nanostructure of organic photovoltaics

In light of our dramatic environmental situation, we are faced with implementing carbon-neutral power sources. The sun offers a nearly endless supply of energy that can be converted into consumable power with the use of photovoltaics. While current photovoltaics are rather efficient, they are expensive to manufacture and install. A new branch of photovoltaics, organic photovoltaics, combines the tunability of chemical synthesis with abundant elements and inexpensive, lightweight materials. The result is the ability to mass manufacture these cells using techniques such as roll-to-roll printing, allowing for production at scales vastly larger and cheaper than for existing cells. However, organic photovoltaics are not without fault. These cells are at best, half as efficient at converting solar energy to power than are today’s silicon solar cells and lack long-term stability. My research is focused on understanding the factors that influence the nanostructure of the light harvesting materials typically used.

Faculty Supervisor:

Jillian Buriak

Student:

Partner:

Technical University of Munich

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Energy and Utilities; Nanotechnology; Clean Technology

University:

University of Alberta

Program: