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)计划以及电气、通信和网络系统(ECCS)的电子、光子和磁性设备(EPMD)计划共同资助。非技术描述：从环境中收集能量并将其引导到有用工作的紧凑型能量收集器在电池更换昂贵或不可能的地方具有优势，例如在桥梁上的传感器、大型化工厂或人体电子植入物中。研究小组正在研究一种基于聚合物的设备，这是能源收割机的关键部件。这种所谓的“棘轮”装置能够将电子噪音转化为稳定的直流电。该项目解决了有机半导体物理、有机化学和材料科学的基本问题。该项目为招收和培训本科生和研究生提供了很好的机会，更有经验的博士后研究人员参与其中。能源收集的主题被用来提高能源浪费和能源效率的意识，不仅在研究界，而且通过外联计划在K-12学生中也是如此。年轻人接触到了在智能电器中收集废物能源的创造性和创新性思维。技术描述：已经有一些尝试创造了电子棘轮。然而，先前报道的棘轮提供低电流和低电压，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，并能够在室温下实现高功率转换效率。研究活动侧重于了解控制设备运行的物理过程，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、加工和电子表征相结合，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。优化的棘轮装置在实际能量收集器中进行了广泛的电磁辐射光谱范围的测试。

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.