Low Cost, Light Weight SOlar Modules Based on Organic Photovoltaic Technology

Objectives - In order to produce solar modules for rooftop applications the performance and the lifetime must be improved to 5% - 7% and >10 year life. Task 1 Stability - (1) Flexible modules are stable to 1000 hrs at 65 C/85%RH, (2) Flexible modules in glass are stable to >2000 hrs at 85 C/85%RH (no decrease in performance); (3) Adhesive + filler helps stabilize modules; and (4) Solution coatable barriers exhibit good WVTR; work in-progress. Task 2 Performance: n-type charge carriers - (1) N-type polymers could not be synthesized; and (2) More than 30 fullerene derivatives synthesized and tested, Several deep LUMO derivatives accept charge from deep LUMO polymers, higher voltage observed, Improvement in cell efficiency not observed, morphology problem. Task 3 Performance: grid electrode - (1) Exceeded flatness and roughness goals; (2) Exceeds sheet resistance goals; (3) Achieved %T goals; and (4) Performance equivalent to ITO - 2% Efficiency ( av.); work in-progress

Cohesion and adhesion of nanoporous TiO2 coatings on titanium wires for photovoltaic applications

The working electrode of a dye-sensitized photovoltaic fiber is constituted of a porous TiO2 coated titanium wire. The cohesion and adhesion of such a brittle oxide coating on the ductile metal substrate are identified as crucial factors in maintaining photovoltaic efficiency during textile manufacture and weaving operations. The influence of coating thickness on these factors has been investigated in the present work. The tensile mechanical characterization with in situ microscopic observations shows that two damaging processes are involved. For the smaller thickness, loss of adherence appears to be at the interface and inside the coating bulk. Cracks become visible in a random distribution in size and density and do not cross the entire coating circumference. Large patches of coating are still anchored on the wire. For the larger thickness no cohesive rupture in the coating bulk has been observed. The loss of adherence appears at the interface closed to the cracks and grows rapidly as the strain increases. Numerical investigations based on the finite element method permit to analyze the distribution and the combination of radial interfacial stress and circumferential coating stress and their influence on the observed damage

PHOTOCHEMICAL ISOMERIZATION OF DIENONES

Abstract not availabl

Low Cost, Light Weight SOlar Modules Based on Organic Photovoltaic Technology

Objectives - In order to produce solar modules for rooftop applications the performance and the lifetime must be improved to 5% - 7% and >10 year life. Task 1 Stability - (1) Flexible modules are stable to 1000 hrs at 65 C/85%RH, (2) Flexible modules in glass are stable to >2000 hrs at 85 C/85%RH (no decrease in performance); (3) Adhesive + filler helps stabilize modules; and (4) Solution coatable barriers exhibit good WVTR; work in-progress. Task 2 Performance: n-type charge carriers - (1) N-type polymers could not be synthesized; and (2) More than 30 fullerene derivatives synthesized and tested, Several deep LUMO derivatives accept charge from deep LUMO polymers, higher voltage observed, Improvement in cell efficiency not observed, morphology problem. Task 3 Performance: grid electrode - (1) Exceeded flatness and roughness goals; (2) Exceeds sheet resistance goals; (3) Achieved %T goals; and (4) Performance equivalent to ITO - 2% Efficiency ( av.); work in-progress