Nanowire photovoltaics

太阳是最丰富的可再生能源，但太阳能电池的低效率和高成本使其无法与其他能源技术，特别是化石燃料竞争。 该提案将开发一种颠覆性技术，即半导体纳米线，预计将提高效率并降低光伏（PV）电池的制造成本。 我们的纳米线是一维棒，几微米长，50到100纳米宽，由III-V族化合物如GaAs组成。 其独特的几何形状增强了PV电池中的光捕获和电流提取，并且它们能够实现廉价且灵活的基板。 由于纳米线制造的复杂性，这些益处在实际电池中尚未实现。 该提案将利用我们在III-V纳米线制造方面的现有优势，以推进光电子学的最新技术。 该提案中开发的技术将与安大略省的一家可再生/替代能源公司Cleanfield Energy合作商业化。

The Sun is the most abundant source of renewable energy, but the low efficiency and high cost of solar cells do not make them competitive with other energy technologies, particularly fossil fuels. This proposal will develop a disruptive technology, namely semiconductor nanowires, which are expected to improve the efficiency and reduce fabrication costs of photovoltaic (PV) cells. Our nanowires are one-dimensional rods, several microns long, 50 to 100 nm wide, and composed of Group III-V compounds such as GaAs. Their unique geometry enhances light trapping and current extraction in PV cells, and they enable inexpensive and flexible substrates. These benefits have not been realized in practical cells due to the complexities of nanowire fabrication. This proposal will draw on our existing strengths in the fabrication of III-V nanowires to advance the state-of-the-art in photovoltaics. The technology developed in this proposal will be commercialized in collaboration with Cleanfield Energy, an Ontario-based renewable/alternative energy company.