Solid-state photoelectric device
Inactive Publication Date: 2008-01-01
THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIV IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK
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Benefits of technology
[0011]An object of the present invention is to provide a solid-state photovoltaic or photoelectric device constructed from relatively low-cost materials which is inexpensive, simple to fabricate and exhibits a high efficiency for converting incident radiation to electric power.
Problems solved by technology
However, widespread terrestrial use of the cells has been impeded by the high peak-watt energy cost compared with that derived from oil, natural gas, and coal.
However, at present the best silicon photovoltaic cells are about seven times more expensive than conventional energy sources.
In practice, such sealing can be difficult to achieve.
If the cells are not properly sealed, the electrolyte can evaporate with a concomitant decrease in efficiency.
However, the efficiencies of these devices tend to be much lower than those of the Graetzel device or silicon devices.
Because of such inefficiencies, such devices are not currently viable candidates for widespread commercialization.
Method used
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Embodiment Construction
[0020]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a photoelectric device formed in accordance with the present invention which is based on a novel channel architecture. As used herein, the term photoelectric device includes devices which produce electrical energy when exposed to light (e.g., photovoltaic) as well as devices which generate light in the presence of applied electrical energy (e.g., photoemissive). The photoelectric device 100 is formed on a substrate 102, such as glass. A transparent conducting oxide (TCO) layer 104 is formed on the substrate 102 and operates as a first electrode for the device 100. A portion of the TCO layer 104 is covered with a photoactive layer 106. A second electrode 108 is formed over at least a portion of the photoactive layer 106. A first electrical contact 110 is formed on the TCO layer 104 and a second electrical contact 112 is formed on the second electrode 108 to facilitate connection of the photoelectric device 100 to external circuitry.
[0021]In the ...
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A solid state photovoltaic device is formed on a substrate and includes a photoactive channel layer interposed between a pair of electrodes. The photoactive channel layer includes a first material which absorbs light and operates as a hole carrier. Within the first material are nanoparticles of a second material which operate as electron carriers. The nanoparticles are distributed within the photoactive channel layer such that, predominantly, the charge path between the two electrodes at any given location includes only a single nanocrystal. Because a majority of electrons are channeled to the electrodes via single nanocrystal conductive paths, the resulting architecture is referred to as a channel architecture.
Description
SPECIFICATION[0001]The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application, Ser. No. 60 / 103,758, entitled Solid-State Photodevice Using a Channel Architecture, which was filed on Oct. 9, 1998.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to photoelectric devices and more particularly relates to solid state photoelectric devices which employ a channel architecture.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Photovoltaic cells were first developed in the 1950's as p-n junctions of inorganic materials. A wide variety of cells since then have been fabricated using homojunction, heterojunction and tandem architectures with inorganic materials, most commonly silicon. As solar cells, the devices convert solar radiation (sunlight) directly into direct-current electrical power. However, widespread terrestrial use of the cells has been impeded by the high peak-watt energy cost compared with that derived from oil, natural gas, and coal.[0004]Amorphous silicon has bee...
Claims
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Patent Timeline
Login to View More IPC IPC(8): H01L31/0352H01L31/04H01L25/04H01L31/0384H01L51/00H01L51/30
CPCH01L25/043H01L31/0384Y02E10/549H01L2224/32145H01L2924/0002Y02E10/50H10K85/114H10K30/151H01L31/02H01L2924/00
InventorSALAFSKY, JOSHUA S.
OwnerTHE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIV IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK