Solution-Processed Organic Ratchets for Energy Harvesting

该项目由材料研究部（DMR）的电子和光子材料（EPM）和聚合物（POL）项目，以及电气、通信和网络系统部（ECCS）的电子、光子学和磁性器件（EPMD）项目共同资助。非技术描述：紧凑的能量采集器从环境中收集能量并将其用于有用的工作，在电池更换成本高或不可能更换的地方是有利的，例如桥梁上的传感器，大型化工厂或人体电子植入物。该研究小组正在研究一种基于聚合物的装置，它是能量收集器的关键部件。这种所谓的“棘轮”装置能够将电子噪声转化为稳定的直流电。该项目涉及有机半导体、有机化学和材料科学的基本物理问题。该项目为招收和培养本科生和研究生提供了良好的机会，并有更多经验丰富的博士后研究人员参与。能源收集的主题不仅是为了提高研究界对能源浪费和能源效率的认识，而且还通过外展项目提高了K-12学生的认识。年轻人接触到在智能家电中收集废弃能源的创造性和创新性思维。技术描述：已经有很多尝试创造电子棘轮。然而，先前报道的棘轮提供低电流和电压，具有非常复杂的制造过程，和/或在低温下工作。该项目的主要目标是创造一种基于有机半导体的新型电子棘轮，该棘轮易于制造，并且能够在室温下实现高功率转换效率。研究活动强调了解控制设备操作的物理过程，以实现更高的性能和长期稳定性。该团队将理论和计算模型与材料合成、加工和电子表征（如扫描静电力显微镜、扫描开尔文探针显微镜、x射线衍射、电吸收和射频工程）相结合。优化后的棘轮装置在一个实际的能量采集器内进行了宽光谱范围的电磁辐射测试。

The project is jointly funded by the Electronic and Photonic Materials (EPM) and the Polymers (POL) Programs, both in the Division of Materials Research (DMR), and by the Electronics, Photonics, and Magnetic Devices (EPMD) Program in the Division of Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems (ECCS).Non-technical Description: Compact energy harvesters that collect energy from the environment and direct it to useful work can be advantageous in places where battery replacement is costly or not possible, for instance in sensors on bridges, in large chemical plants, or in electronic implants for the human body. The research team is working on a polymer-based device that is a key component of energy harvesters. This so-called "ratchet" device is capable of transforming electronic noise into stable direct current. The project addresses fundamental questions on the physics of organic semiconductors, organic chemistry, and material science. The project provides great opportunities to recruit and train undergraduate and graduate students with the involvement of more experienced post-doctoral researchers. The energy-harvesting theme is used to increase the awareness about energy waste and energy efficiency not only among the research community, but also among K-12 students via outreach programs. Young individuals are exposed to creative and innovative thinking about harvesting waste energy in smart appliances.Technical Description: There have been a number of attempts to create electronic ratchets. However, previously reported ratchets deliver low electrical current and voltage, have very complex fabrication procedure, and/or operate at cryogenic temperatures. The main goal of this project is to create a new electronic ratchet based on organic semiconductors that is simple to fabricate and able to achieve high power conversion efficiencies at room temperature. The research activity puts an emphasis on understanding the physical processes that govern the device operation in order to achieve higher performance and long-term stability. The team combines theory and computational models with materials synthesis, processing and electronic characterization such as scanning electrostatic force microscopy, scanning Kelvin probe microscopy, x-ray diffraction, electroabsorption, and radio-frequency engineering. The optimized ratchet device is tested within an actual energy harvester over a wide spectral range of electromagnetic radiation.