Banbrytande nanofotoniska metoder för effektiva lågkostnadssolceller

Research Project, 2016 – 2019

The central objective is to implement nanophotonics in function-enhancement skin for solar cells together with the development of innovative low-cost wafer scale nano-patterning methods. The function enhancement skin and the nanopatterning are investigated with a strategic vision of being a generic solution, applicable to solar cells made from different materials and technologies. The proposed novelties include (1) Function enhancement silicone skins providing omnidirectional broad-band anti-reflection [Target < 2%], UV-Blue down conversion to green-red using Cd-free, heavy metal free InP/ZnS Quantum dots, and surface hydrophobicity for self-cleaning; (2) The multi-functional skin is an add-on layer, avoiding direct structuring of cell materials and generically applicable for different solar cell technologies and (3) Stand-alone, transferable, multi-usage etching/deposition mask for nano-patterning. The project aims to achieve such nanophotonic function-enhancement skins for the solar cells by: (i) performing electromagnetic design and optical simulations to predict anti-reflection properties of nanophotonic structures; (ii) developing surface nanostructuring of the PDMS encapsulating layer for better anti-reflection; (iii) embedding quantum dots into the PDMS for the spectral downconversion and ZnO nanostructures for further improved anti-reflection; and (iv) nanostructuring of the cell surface, including 3D topographic patterning.