SBIR Phase I: Internal Photo Emission Energy Converters Based on a Wide Band Perfectly Absorbing Nanocomposite Metamaterial

这个小型企业创新研究阶段（SBIR） I项目旨在开发一种新型太阳能电池，该电池基于内部光电发射装置，其几何结构接近完美，宽带，各向同性吸收器。实现这一技术的潜力将为市场带来一种太阳能电池，这种太阳能电池在每瓦成本上与其他太阳能技术具有商业竞争力，并且能够在柔性基板上制造。内部光电转换器重新引起了人们的兴趣，但已公布的功率转换效率远低于理论极限。在以前的尝试中，主要的限制因素是金属的光吸收有限。我们的初步模拟和测试表明，当吸收金属在纳米复合材料层中以完美的吸收结构配置时，在广泛的角度和波长范围内增强了光吸收。第一阶段的目标是通过制造和测试一个功能设备来验证初步模拟。这个项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力主要是在太阳能转换领域。成功完成第一阶段和第二阶段的研究和开发工作将使低成本和长寿命的太阳能电池技术商业化，这种技术可以使用卷对卷加工技术在柔性基板上制造。这项技术将为柔性和柔性太阳能电池市场提供一个具有成本竞争力的新入口。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase (SBIR) I project aims to develop a new class of solar cell based on an internal photoemission device geometrically configured as a near perfect, broadband, isotropic absorber. Realizing the potential of this technology would bring to market a solar cell that is commercially competitive with other solar technologies on a cost per watt basis and are able to fabricated on a flexible substrate. Internal photo-emission converters have received renewed interest, but published power conversion efficiencies are well below the theoretical limit. A primary limiting factor in previous attempts has been limited light absorption in the metal. Our preliminary simulations and tests show enhanced light absorption across a broad range of angles and wavelengths when the absorbing metal is configured in a nanocomposite layer in a perfect absorber structure. The objective of Phase I is to validate the preliminary simulations by fabricating and testing a functioning device.The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is primarily in the field of solar energy conversion. Successful completion of Phase I and Phase II of this research and development effort will enable commercialization of a low cost and long lifetime solar cell technology that can be manufactured on a flexible substrate using roll-to-roll processing techniques. This technology will provide a new cost competitive entry into the flexible and conformable solar cell market.