A Window of Opportunity: The development of next-generation transparent photovoltaic films

光电技术的发展（将光能转化为电能，或将电能转化为光能）是通过对新材料的深入研究而得以实现的。无论是能够产生清洁能源的太阳能电池板，还是将世界带到指尖的移动的手机和平板电脑，这些技术都改变了我们的生活。由于这些技术的商业化，它们扰乱了现有的市场，并创造了显著的经济增长。尽管加拿大拥有丰富的自然资源，但如果我们要兑现我们在巴黎的承诺，就需要下一代光电子材料。目前，硅基光催化剂是最常见的太阳能转换技术，但它们在没有直接太阳辐射的情况下（即，阴影、室内、阴天等）的效率很低。差为了减少我们对传统能源的依赖，需要在技术上进行另一次重大变革。包括低成本染料敏化太阳能电池（DSSC）在内的下一代光电技术代表了解决方案的一部分。这些光伏器件是光学透明的（导致新的应用，包括窗户和涂层），并已被证明在漫射光中优于硅基材料。在我们的研究中，我们开发了新的生物启发染料分子和材料，可用于创建新的光电技术，包括新的光电子学。这项拟议的研究计划侧重于对捕光染料的理解和开发，旨在为加拿大现有的技术组合增加多样性，并补充我们现有的资源。此外，获得从光中提取能量的更好的基本理解，将导致在其他领域的突破，包括;农业，医疗，能量存储，运动传感等最后，该计划将通过发展他们的才能和他们的想法来开发下一代创新者创新思维和心态。

The development of optoelectronic technologies (the conversion of light energy into electricity or vice versa) has ben made possible through intensive research developing new materials. Whether it be solar panels capable of producing clean energy, or mobile phones and tablets that bring the world to your fingertips, these technologies have changed our lives. As a result of their commercialization, these technologies have disrupted existing markets and have created significant economic growth. Despite, Canada being gifted with a tremendous variety of natural resources, a next-generation of optoelectronic materials is needed if we are to meet our Paris commitments. Current silicon-based photovoltaics are the most common solar energy conversion technologies, but their efficiency in the absence of direct solar irradiation (i.e. shade, indoor, overcast days, etc.) is poor. In order to reduce our dependence on traditional energy sources, another substantial change in technology is required. Next-generation optoelectronic technologies including; the low-cost dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) represent part of the solution. These photovoltaic devices are optically transparent (leading to new applications, including windows and coatings) and have been shown to out-perform silicon-based materials in diffuse light. In our research we develop novel bio-inspired dye molecules and materials that can be used to create new optoelectronic technologies, including novel photovoltaics. This proposed research program focusing on the understanding and development of light-harvesting dyes and seeks to add diversity to Canada's existing technology portfolio and complement our current resources. In addition, gaining a better fundamental understanding of extracting energy from light, will lead to breakthroughs in other areas including; agriculture, medical therapies, energy storage, motion sensing, etc. Finally, this program will develop the next generation of innovators, by developing their aptitude and their idea-to-innovation thinking and mind set.