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Improved Photovoltaic Efficiency in Semiconducting Polymer/fullerene Solar Cells through Control of Fullerene Self-assembly and Stacking

Technology Benefits

Allows precise control over the morphology of the blended active layer Solution-based processing method with associated manufacturing cost advantages Compatible with other efficiency improving process

Technology Application

Improving efficiency in polymeric/organic solar cells Also applicable to polymeric/organic photodetectors, diodes, and FETs

Detailed Technology Description

Researchers at UCLA have identified a self-assembly method for arranging fullerene molecules that results in a 4X increase in solar cell energy conversion efficiency (current density; on average). This technique allows more control over the packing of individual molecules to provide for higher material densities that result in the improved efficiency.

Supplementary Information

Patent Number: US20090266416A1
Application Number: US2009419936A
Inventor: Tolbert, Sarah H. | Schwartz, Benjamin J. | Rubin, Yves | Halim, Merissa | Wanger, Darcy | Tassone, Christopher J. | Ayzner, Alexander L. | Kennedy, Robert D. | Day, Christopher
Priority Date: 8 Apr 2008
Priority Number: US20090266416A1
Application Date: 7 Apr 2009
Publication Date: 29 Oct 2009
IPC Current: H01L003100
US Class: 136256
Title: PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICES INCLUDING SELF-ASSEMBLING FULLERENE DERIVATIVES FOR IMPROVED EFFICIENCIES
Usefulness: PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICES INCLUDING SELF-ASSEMBLING FULLERENE DERIVATIVES FOR IMPROVED EFFICIENCIES
Summary: As photovoltaic device (claimed), for solar energy conversion.
Novelty: Photovoltaic device comprises active layer including self-assembled fullerene derivative between two electrode layers, which absorbs light to produce two charge carriers that are transported to the two electrode layers, respectively

Industry

Environmental/Green Technology

Sub Group

Solar Cell

Application No.

9231214

Others

State of Development

Solar cells have been manufactured and demonstrate improved performance.

Background

Polymeric solar cells based on fullerene and fullerene derivatives are a clean, renewable, and cheap energy source, however the efficiency does not yet rival that of silicon-based technologies. Previous work to increase the efficiency of these polymeric/organic solar cells focused on increasing the density of active material in the device area. This has previously been accomplished by enhancing the solubility of the fullerene molecules and subjecting the devices to thermal annealing. Both of these techniques lead to improved efficiency by controlling the arrangement of the molecules to provide better packing, yet neither completely solves the problem.

Additional Technologies by these Inventors

Tech ID/UC Case

20219/2008-662-0

Related Cases

2008-662-0

Country/Region

USA

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