Concepts towards the next generation of dye-sensitised solar cells: tandem and plasmonic solar cells. This project aims at exploring the feasibility of novel device concepts to enhance the performance of dye-sensitised solar cells. These concepts include tandem solar cells as well as novel energy relay systems based on the ability of nanoparticles to effectively act as antenna systems that can funnel energy towards a sensitising dye molecule.
Atomic-scale structural characterisation of quantum-dot nanostructures for novel photovoltaic applications. This project aims to design, fabricate and characterise innovative quantum-dot solar cells in order to overcome the atomic-scale defects that limit current approaches. The scientific and engineering understanding acquired through this project will enable the rapidly growing global solar-cell industry to produce higher-efficiency III-V solar cells.
Cadmium telluride/Germanium (CdTe/Ge) tandem-junction solar cells for efficiency enhancement in thin-film photovoltaics. The purpose of this project is to improve the efficiency of large-area, thin-film CdTe solar cells by using them in a tandem arrangement with thin-film Ge cells. An increase of 25 per cent in efficiency appears possible, which would greatly improve the prospects for cost-competitive photovoltaic power generation.
High quality copper-zinc-tin-sulphide absorber by one-stage reactive sputtering technology: a route to high efficiency/low cost thin film solar cells. International studies show that electricity from solar cells is one of the cleanest future energy sources, able to almost completely displace fossil fuels. This project, proposed to fulfil such a key role, targets greatly improved efficiency/cost ratio, by producing high quality CZTS thin film absorbers with a cost-effective fabrication technique.
Nanophotonics for strong absorption in extremely thin solar cells: moving beyond silicon. This project will lead to the development of extremely thin solar cells made of novel low-cost materials, which would likely reduce the cost of photovoltaic technology. If the cost of photovoltaics was sufficiently low then it could have a major impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution in Australia and worldwide.
Transparent metal oxides, a window of opportunity for silicon solar cells. This project aims to develop novel silicon heterojunction solar cells based on transparent conductive metal oxides (TCOs). Thin layers of zinc, gallium and molybdenum oxides present negligible absorption losses, which leads to a high output current. The project will optimise them as surface passivating layers, to achieve a high output voltage. TCOs can also provide good lateral conductivity, to boost the fill factor. The ....Transparent metal oxides, a window of opportunity for silicon solar cells. This project aims to develop novel silicon heterojunction solar cells based on transparent conductive metal oxides (TCOs). Thin layers of zinc, gallium and molybdenum oxides present negligible absorption losses, which leads to a high output current. The project will optimise them as surface passivating layers, to achieve a high output voltage. TCOs can also provide good lateral conductivity, to boost the fill factor. The research proposes to create insight into the physical mechanisms of selective contacts for electrons and holes, paving the way for a range of innovative solar cell concepts. Transparent metal oxides open new windows of opportunity to increase the conversion efficiency of silicon solar cells using simpler fabrication processes.Read moreRead less
A new defect-control approach for mismatched heteroepitaxy semiconductors. This project aims to develop a new defect-control approach for silicon-germanium heteroepitaxial semiconductor systems to provide a route for high-throughput, low-cost, high-efficiency silicon tandem solar cells. Mismatched heteroepitaxy of semiconductors is of considerable interest for fabricating novel devices. However, the use of highly-mismatched heteroepitaxial semiconductors has been limited due to the high densitie ....A new defect-control approach for mismatched heteroepitaxy semiconductors. This project aims to develop a new defect-control approach for silicon-germanium heteroepitaxial semiconductor systems to provide a route for high-throughput, low-cost, high-efficiency silicon tandem solar cells. Mismatched heteroepitaxy of semiconductors is of considerable interest for fabricating novel devices. However, the use of highly-mismatched heteroepitaxial semiconductors has been limited due to the high densities of crystal defects which degrade the performance of both majority and minority carrier devices. This project aims to develop a new defect-control approach for heteroepitaxial semiconductors by continuous wavelength diode laser processing. With heteroepitaxial silicon-germanium as an example, the project will investigate the mechanism underlying defect-cleaning, optimised designs for best performance, and designs for high-efficiency tandem solar cells.Read moreRead less
Photonic crystals at visible wavelengths. Three dimensional sculptured nano-structures made at a very high spatial resolution will open way to control light emission, propagation, and transmission at the visible wavelengths. Optically thin and transparent solar cells will be able to harvest light using structures.
Porphyrin arrays - Light Harvesting in three dimensions. The emulation of photosynthesis, the efficient and sustainable utilization of solar energy using renewable materials represents one of the great scientific challenges. This project will explore one aspect of this by determining the nature and scope of using assemblies of artificial chlorophylls for three dimensional light harvesting in titania solar cells.
Stable Non-toxic Organic-inorganic Halide Perovskite Solar Cells. The project aims to develop next-generation organic-inorganic halide solar cells which are stable and non-toxic. Although rapid progress has been made in the emerging perovskite solar cell technology, it currently relies on lead as a key perovskite component. The elimination of lead from organic-inorganic halide perovskite solar cells would greatly increase their acceptance as an alternative thin film photovoltaic solution because ....Stable Non-toxic Organic-inorganic Halide Perovskite Solar Cells. The project aims to develop next-generation organic-inorganic halide solar cells which are stable and non-toxic. Although rapid progress has been made in the emerging perovskite solar cell technology, it currently relies on lead as a key perovskite component. The elimination of lead from organic-inorganic halide perovskite solar cells would greatly increase their acceptance as an alternative thin film photovoltaic solution because of their low cost and non-toxic nature. The dearth of lead-free perovskite solar cell demonstrations and the relatively low conversion efficiencies demonstrated understate their potential. This project plans to improve understanding of their photovoltaic enabling attributes by characterising and modelling their optical and electrical properties. It then plans to apply new fabrication methods to develop lead-free solar devices.Read moreRead less