SBIR Phase I: Transparent Molecular Photovoltaic Devices

这个小企业创新研究计划（SBIR）第一阶段项目探索了一种变革性的可见透明光伏（PV）设备。建筑集成光伏（BIPV）是一种很有前途的能源途径，可以捕获大面积的太阳能并提高美国建筑物的利用效率。然而，这种技术的广泛采用受到与在壁板和窗户上安装传统PV模块相关的成本和美学的严重阻碍。在这里，这些挑战通过利用分子和有机半导体的激子特性来克服，所述激子特性导致“振荡器聚束”以产生具有选择性吸收的PV架构，即表现出与传统无机半导体的带吸收独特不同的可见光最小值以及紫外（UV）和近红外（NIR）最大值。通过使用在NIR/UV中具有结构化吸收的激子分子半导体，这些器件同时优化了高功率转换效率、可见光透射率和显色指数。因此，该计划的目的是达到相关的尺寸，寿命，美学和形状因素的目标，这将证明将概念验证原型开发成商业上可行的透明PV窗膜的可行性，该窗膜可在窗户制造点应用于玻璃表面或作为现有窗户的改造。该项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力，通过保持现有建筑材料的美观和室内自然照明的质量，为建筑光伏采用提供了前所未有的自由度：（1）通过在利用点产生电力来增加建筑物效率和能量独立性，（2）通过排除红外太阳热来减少建筑物冷却需求，补充或替换现有的低辐射和太阳能控制窗户涂层，以及（3）通过搭载现有建筑物围护结构的安装、框架和维护来实现低水平化的能源成本。在美国，安装了这种薄膜的窗户表面积代表了数百太瓦时的潜在能量，包括能源生产和能源节约。此外，该项目将产生一个核心知识，未来几代透明光伏器件和材料将被设计出来。可视透明PV还适于在非窗口表面（例如电子显示器和移动的电子配件）内进行无缝能量收集，从而增强这些产品的功能性而不影响美观性或功能性。在国内外部署透明PV，通过彻底改变电力生产和消费方式，支持美国在开发和实施先进技术方面保持技术和经济领先地位的努力。

This Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) Phase I project explores a transformational visibly transparent photovoltaic (PV) device. Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) are a promising energy pathway to capturing large areas of solar energy and increasing U.S. building efficiency at the point of utilization. However, the widespread adoption of such technologies is severely hampered by the cost and aesthetics associated with mounting traditional PV modules on siding and windows. Here, these challenges are overcome by exploiting the excitonic character of molecular and organic semiconductors that lead to "oscillator bunching" to produce PV architectures with selective absorption, i.e. exhibiting visible minima and ultra-violet (UV) and near-infrared (NIR) maxima, uniquely distinct from the band-absorption of traditional inorganic semiconductors. By using excitonic molecular semiconductors with structured absorption in the NIR/UV these devices are simultaneously optimized for high power conversion efficiency, visible light transmission, and color rendering index. Accordingly, the aim of this program is to reach relevant size, lifetime, aesthetic, and form-factor objectives that will demonstrate the feasibility of developing the proof-of-concept prototypes into a commercially viable, transparent, PV window film that can be applied to glass surfaces at the point of window fabrication or as a retrofit on existing windows. The broader impact/commercial potential of this project enables unprecedented freedom for architectural PV adoption by maintaining the aesthetics of existing building materials and the quality of natural indoor lighting: (1) increasing building efficiency and energy independence by producing electricity at the point of utilization, (2) reducing building cooling demands by rejecting infrared solar heat, supplementing or replacing existing low-E and solar-control window coatings, and (3) achieving low levelized energy costs by piggybacking on the installation, framing, and maintenance of the existing building envelope. Installed window surface area in the U.S. equipped with such films represents hundreds of terawatt-hours of potential energy, comprising energy generation and energy savings. Moreover, this project will result in a core knowledge from which future generations of transparent photovoltaic devices and materials will be designed. Visibly transparent PVs are also amenable to seamless energy harvesting within non-window surfaces such as electronic displays and mobile electronic accessories, enhancing the functionality of those products without impacting aesthetics or functionality. The deployment of transparent PVs, both domestically and abroad, supports American efforts to maintain technological and economic leadership in developing and implementing advanced technologies, by revolutionizing the way electricity is generated and consumed.