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Author: Andrea Miranda
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :
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Book Description
A solar cell is a device that converts light energy into electrical energy. Solar cells hold plenty of potential in becoming a more widely available source of electricity that makes economic sense. However, improvements in the materials and fabrication are necessary to increase accessibility and power conversion efficiency. Organic, or carbon-based materials, pose an interesting alternative to traditional silicon-based solar cells. An organic solar cell (OSC) composed of thin films deposited onto a glass or flexible polymer substrate could be the future of economically viable solar energy. In this thesis, we describe the fabrication of a type of organic solar cell, the polymer:fullerene bulk-heterojunction solar cells. This is the first attempt to fabricate a device in the Solar Cell Fabrication and Characterization Laboratory. We have replicated the OSC fabrication process outlined by the Yang Group (Shrotriya et al., 2006) with a goal of demonstrating a properly functioning solar cell competitive with state of the art devices. Fabrication of the OSC begins with deposition of an organic, hole-conducting film poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). Next, the active layer composed of poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (polythiophene) and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM, a fullerene derivative), is mixed in a 1:1 ratio and deposited from solution as one film. These two organic thin-films were deposited by spin-casting solutions of different concentration at different spin speeds to achieve varying thicknesses. Lastly, thermal evaporation was used to deposit the calcium and silver metal cathode. The thickness of various layers in the OSC sandwich structure was measured with an atomic force microscope. Film uniformity was determined with an optical microscope. The I-V characteristics were measured with a parameter analyzer. Because the thickness is a critical parameter in the optimization of device efficiency, we have determined the relationship between thickness and spin speed of the organic thin films. Our results indicate that we have successfully achieved, for the first time, on par with recent results in the literature, a fully functioning solar cell with I-V characteristics reaching those of the Yang group.
Author: Andrea Miranda
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :
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Book Description
A solar cell is a device that converts light energy into electrical energy. Solar cells hold plenty of potential in becoming a more widely available source of electricity that makes economic sense. However, improvements in the materials and fabrication are necessary to increase accessibility and power conversion efficiency. Organic, or carbon-based materials, pose an interesting alternative to traditional silicon-based solar cells. An organic solar cell (OSC) composed of thin films deposited onto a glass or flexible polymer substrate could be the future of economically viable solar energy. In this thesis, we describe the fabrication of a type of organic solar cell, the polymer:fullerene bulk-heterojunction solar cells. This is the first attempt to fabricate a device in the Solar Cell Fabrication and Characterization Laboratory. We have replicated the OSC fabrication process outlined by the Yang Group (Shrotriya et al., 2006) with a goal of demonstrating a properly functioning solar cell competitive with state of the art devices. Fabrication of the OSC begins with deposition of an organic, hole-conducting film poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). Next, the active layer composed of poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (polythiophene) and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM, a fullerene derivative), is mixed in a 1:1 ratio and deposited from solution as one film. These two organic thin-films were deposited by spin-casting solutions of different concentration at different spin speeds to achieve varying thicknesses. Lastly, thermal evaporation was used to deposit the calcium and silver metal cathode. The thickness of various layers in the OSC sandwich structure was measured with an atomic force microscope. Film uniformity was determined with an optical microscope. The I-V characteristics were measured with a parameter analyzer. Because the thickness is a critical parameter in the optimization of device efficiency, we have determined the relationship between thickness and spin speed of the organic thin films. Our results indicate that we have successfully achieved, for the first time, on par with recent results in the literature, a fully functioning solar cell with I-V characteristics reaching those of the Yang group.
Author: Emre Yengel
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781124400662
Category : Energy conversion
Languages : en
Pages : 81
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Book Description
Bulk heterojunction organic solar cells have recently drawn tremendous attention because of their technological advantages for actualization of large-area and cost effective fabrication. Two important criteria of these cells are efficiency and cost. The research in this dissertation focuses on the enhancement of these criteria with two different approaches. In the first approach, power conversion efficiency of organic photovoltaic devices is enhanced by introducing Deoxyribonucleic acids DNA into the device structure. DNA provide exciting opportunities as templates in self assembled architectures and functionality in terms of optical and electronic properties. In the first method, we investigate the effects of DNA and metalized DNA sequences in polymer fullerene bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells. These effects are characterized via optical, quantum efficiency and current-voltage measurements. We demonstrate that by placing on the hole collection side of the active layer, DNA and Pt-DNA sequences lead to an increase in the power conversion efficiency (PCE) by %16 and %30, respectively. Furthermore, we studied the electrical charge characteristics of our DNA layer by using capacitance-voltage (C-V) measurements to explain the increase in hole collection which shows that spray coated DNA formed a negative layer which can increase the hole collection in the cathode side. In the second approach, device cost is tried to reduce by replacing the most expansive material, indium thin oxide (ITO) thin films, with graphene thin films. Large area graphene films were grown with chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. It is observed that, its pristine form, the electrical and surface properties of these films are not sufficient enough for the organic photovoltaic applications. These properties are enhanced with a surface treatment of Argon (Ar) plasma and nitric acid bath. The results of these treatments show that the surface becomes hydrophilic and surface resistance can be decreased by %25. Then, it is demonstrated that the PCE of the graphene based solar cells can be reached up to one tenth of the ITO based devices. The research conducted in this dissertation offers promising potential of bulk heterojunction organic solar cells as a clean and affordable source of energy source in the near future.
Author: Sri Krishna Domakonda
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Hybrid solar cells
Languages : en
Pages : 252
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Author: Balaji Parthasarathy
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :
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Author: Amory B. Lovins
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 520
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Author: Solar Energy Information Data Bank (U.S.)
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Agricultural processing
Languages : en
Pages : 180
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Book Description
Decision to produce; Markets and uses; Market assessment; Prodution potential; Equipment selection; Financial requirements; Decision and planning workssheets; Basic ethanol production; Preparation of feedstocks, Fermentation; Distillation; Types of feedstocks; Coproduct yields; Agronomic considerations; Plant design; Overall plant considerations; Process control; Representative ethanol plant; Maintenance checklist; Business plan; Analysis of financial requirements; Organizational form; Financing; Case study; Summary of legislation; Bureau of alcohol, tabacco, and firearms permit information; Enviromental considerations.
Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780309467346
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 615
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Book Description
The steering committee was specifically asked to (1) provide an overview of the current state of astronomy and astrophysics science, and technology research in support of that science, with connections to other scientific areas where appropriate; (2) identify the most compelling science challenges and frontiers in astronomy and astrophysics, which shall motivate the committee’s strategy for the future; (3) develop a comprehensive research strategy to advance the frontiers of astronomy and astrophysics for the period 2022-2032 that will include identifying, recommending, and ranking the highest-priority research activities; (4) utilize and recommend decision rules, where appropriate, that can accommodate significant but reasonable deviations in the projected budget or changes in urgency precipitated by new discoveries or unanticipated competitive activities; (5) assess the state of the profession, including workforce and demographic issues in the field, identify areas of concern and importance to the community, and where possible, provide specific, actionable, and practical recommendations to the agencies and community to address these areas. This report proposes a broad, integrated plan for space- and ground-based astronomy and astrophysics for the decade 2023-2032. It also lays the foundations for further advances in the following decade.
Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309470641
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 283
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Book Description
In the United States, broad study in an array of different disciplines â€"arts, humanities, science, mathematics, engineeringâ€" as well as an in-depth study within a special area of interest, have been defining characteristics of a higher education. But over time, in-depth study in a major discipline has come to dominate the curricula at many institutions. This evolution of the curriculum has been driven, in part, by increasing specialization in the academic disciplines. There is little doubt that disciplinary specialization has helped produce many of the achievement of the past century. Researchers in all academic disciplines have been able to delve more deeply into their areas of expertise, grappling with ever more specialized and fundamental problems. Yet today, many leaders, scholars, parents, and students are asking whether higher education has moved too far from its integrative tradition towards an approach heavily rooted in disciplinary "silos". These "silos" represent what many see as an artificial separation of academic disciplines. This study reflects a growing concern that the approach to higher education that favors disciplinary specialization is poorly calibrated to the challenges and opportunities of our time. The Integration of the Humanities and Arts with Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in Higher Education examines the evidence behind the assertion that educational programs that mutually integrate learning experiences in the humanities and arts with science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) lead to improved educational and career outcomes for undergraduate and graduate students. It explores evidence regarding the value of integrating more STEMM curricula and labs into the academic programs of students majoring in the humanities and arts and evidence regarding the value of integrating curricula and experiences in the arts and humanities into college and university STEMM education programs.
Author: Maralee Mayberry
Publisher: Psychology Press
ISBN: 9780415926966
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 372
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Book Description
First Published in 2001. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309254140
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 282
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Book Description
The National Science Foundation funded a synthesis study on the status, contributions, and future direction of discipline-based education research (DBER) in physics, biological sciences, geosciences, and chemistry. DBER combines knowledge of teaching and learning with deep knowledge of discipline-specific science content. It describes the discipline-specific difficulties learners face and the specialized intellectual and instructional resources that can facilitate student understanding. Discipline-Based Education Research is based on a 30-month study built on two workshops held in 2008 to explore evidence on promising practices in undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. This book asks questions that are essential to advancing DBER and broadening its impact on undergraduate science teaching and learning. The book provides empirical research on undergraduate teaching and learning in the sciences, explores the extent to which this research currently influences undergraduate instruction, and identifies the intellectual and material resources required to further develop DBER. Discipline-Based Education Research provides guidance for future DBER research. In addition, the findings and recommendations of this report may invite, if not assist, post-secondary institutions to increase interest and research activity in DBER and improve its quality and usefulness across all natural science disciples, as well as guide instruction and assessment across natural science courses to improve student learning. The book brings greater focus to issues of student attrition in the natural sciences that are related to the quality of instruction. Discipline-Based Education Research will be of interest to educators, policy makers, researchers, scholars, decision makers in universities, government agencies, curriculum developers, research sponsors, and education advocacy groups.
