High Performance Flexible Silicon Photovoltaics: Studies of Multifaceted Engineering Platforms Enabled with Nanophotonic Light Management and Spectral Modification

研究目标和方法这项研究的目标是研究晶体硅光伏的新方法，这种方法可以显著减少活性物质，并研究用于增强光吸收的集成模块设计。该方法是(1)制造超薄单晶硅太阳能电池作为纳米结构器件平台，(2)将它们集成在工程发光介质中进行光谱修改，(3)实施纳米结构使能的光捕获方案以优化系统性能。该研究将导致创新材料平台和制造策略的发展，这些材料平台和制造策略可以提供高性能、灵活的硅太阳能组件，并显著降低材料成本。拟议中的研究将使我们更深入地了解与光谱上转换和下移相关的光学过程，以及它们与纳米光子光捕获方案相结合所产生的对超薄硅光伏器件整体系统性能的协同效应。广泛的影响这项研究的科技进步将有助于推动光伏技术在成本上与地球上丰富的材料竞争，为未来的全球能源需求提供实用的解决方案。研究生和本科生都将通过参与拟议的研究获得独特的跨学科教育经验和培训，其中将高度鼓励来自代表性不足群体的学生参与。PI将通过南加州大学工程多样性中心，为当地社区的教育弱势K-12学生制定和开展外展计划。

Research Objectives and ApproachesThe objective of this research is to study new methods for crystalline silicon photovoltaics that allow significant reduction of active materials as well as integrated module designs for enhanced optical absorption. The approach is (1) to fabricate ultrathin, monocrystalline silicon solar cells as nanostructureddevice platforms, (2) to integrate them in engineered luminescent medium for spectral modification, and (3) to implement nanostructure-enabled light trapping schemes for optimized system performance.Intellectual MeritThe research will lead to the development of innovative materials platforms and fabrication strategies that can offer high performance, flexible silicon solar modules with significant reduction of materials cost. The proposed studies will provide deeper understanding of optical processes associated with spectral upconversion and down-shifting when combined with schemes of nanophotonic light trapping, and their resultant synergistic effects on overall system performance of ultrathin silicon photovoltaic devices.Broader ImpactScientific and technological advances from this research will contribute to the progress of making photovoltaic technologies cost-competitive with earth-abundant materials, providing a practical solution for the future global energy demand. Both graduate and undergraduate students will gain unique, interdisciplinary educational experience and training by engaging in the proposed research, where participation of students from underrepresented group will be highly encouraged. The PI will develop and conduct outreach programs for educationally-disadvantaged K-12 students in local community through the Center for Engineering Diversity at the University of Southern California.