Novel Photonic Crystals and Semiconductor NanoCrystals for Enhanced Photovoltaics

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One of the greatest 21st century challenges facing mankind is meeting the enormous increases in global energy demand, from ~15 TW currently to ~30 TW by 2050 and ~50 TW by 2100, while concurrently developing sustainable, environmentally compatible, and economically viable sources that significantly begin to shift the current global primary energy dependence (80%) on oil, coal and natural gas. A compelling alternative that can contribute considerably to addressing this challenge is solar energy. Canada has begun to deploy photovoltaic (PV) solar systems using incentives to encourage industry and consumers alike. However, for solar electricity to become a ubiquitous primary energy source, it needs to surpass grid-parity - free of incentives. The long-term objective of this research program is to investigate and develop novel optoelectronic material integrations amenable to enhanced photovoltaic devices and improved utilization of solar energy. Short-term objectives are to investigate two complementary fields of research: one, using a novel class of conducting photonic crystals for optimal solar spectrum splitting, and two, using abundant non-toxic group IV semiconductor nanocrystals to effect quantum confined band engineering for optimal absorption of the solar spectrum, both leading to enhanced PV. First, using the novel selectively transparent and conducting photonic crystal (STCPC) recently reported by our group, the objectives of the 'photonic crystal PV' research project are to discover advanced STCPC structures with enhanced optical properties, and to effectively integrate STCPCs into PV devices. Second, using accessible economic synthesis techniques for nanocrystals (NC), the objectives of the 'group IV nanocrystal - PV' research project are to investigate parameters governing charge transport in Si, Ge, and C NC films, and to synthesize single and multi-junction PV devices designed to utilize the entire solar spectrum. The practical impact of this work is to contribute towards the economic development of next generation photovoltaic and solar energy systems, thus advancing the solar industry in Canada.