58 results about "Luminescent solar concentrator" patented technology

A first aspect of the invention relates to a luminescent object comprising an aligned polymer that contains an oriented photoluminescent material, said aligned polymer having a pretilt angle of 10-90°. The luminescent object according to the present invention may advantageously be employed in luminescent solar concentrator systems as it enables highly efficient transportation of radiation emitted by the photoluminescent material following exposure to incident solar light. Another aspect of the invention concerns a photovoltaic device comprising an electromagnetic radiation collection medium containing the aforementioned luminescent object and a photovoltaic cell capable of converting optical radiation to electrical energy which is optically coupled to the luminescent object. Further aspects of the invention include a fluorescent light activated display and a room lighting system comprising the aforementioned luminescent object.

A luminescent solar concentrator comprises a primary waveguide and at least one photovoltaic cell. The primary waveguide has a curved surface which concentrates light on a perimeter. The photovoltaic cell is oriented at the perimeter so that it can both receive the concentrated light and receive direct light as well. A back sheet may be provided that provides structural support and protection. The perimeter may have the shape of a polygon where a photovoltaic cell is oriented along each edge. Modules and arrays of such units are also disclosed.

The present invention is directed to luminescent solar concentrators, processes for the production of the same and uses thereof. The luminescent solar concentrators comprise a composite substrate including two or more films containing luminescent compounds and wavelength-selective mirrors, which concentrators may be connected to photovoltaic cells.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a luminescent object comprising: a. a luminescent layer or core containing a photoluminescent material; and b. a wavelength-selective mirror; wherein the luminescent layer or luminescent core is optically coupled to the wavelength-selective mirror, said wavelength-selective mirror being at least 50% transparent to light absorbed by the photoluminescent material and at least 50% reflective to radiation that is emitted by the photoluminescent material. The luminescent object according to the present invention may advantageously be employed in luminescent solar concentrator systems as it enables highly efficient transportation of radiation emitted by the photoluminescent material following exposure to incident solar light. Another aspect of the invention concerns a photovoltaic device comprising an electromagnetic radiation collection medium containing the aforementioned luminescent object and a photovoltaic cell capable of converting optical radiation to electrical energy which is optically coupled to the luminescent object. Further aspects of the invention include a fluorescent light activated display and a room lighting system comprising the aforementioned luminescent object.

An article of manufacture and method for making a luminescent solar concentrator or a wavelength shifting device. The article includes a light guide or optical medium with a luminescent material disposed therein or deposited on the surface. The luminescent material is formulated to absorb incoming radiation and wavelength shift that radiation to a larger wavelength for processing and use, and to minimize reabsorption of the shifted radiation by the luminescent material.

The invention discloses a PbS quantum dot-based luminescent solar concentrator and a preparation method thereof. The luminescent solar concentrator comprises a light wave conversion module and a silicon-based solar cell matched with the edge of the light wave conversion module optically, wherein the light wave conversion module is formed in a manner that two layers of glass plates clamp a PbS quantum dot-doped polymer film. According to the luminescent solar concentrator, the light wave conversion module is used for replacing a large-area silicon-based solar cell panel, and perpendicularly incident and irreflexive sunlight is collected, a high-cost sun tracking system is not needed, and the cost of a solar power system is lowered.

The present invention relates to a photovoltaic cell device with combined energy conversion and lighting option and a method a controlling such a device. It comprises a responsive element, a reflector or a light source for changing light absorption and thus appearance of photovoltaic cells (e.g. solar panel). It is also possible to combine the responsive element or the reflector with light source(s) providing extra illumination. When combined with a sensor and control unit, ambient intelligent solar panels and ambient intelligent lighting systems can be obtained. A combination of a luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) and light-emitting device is also possible, where an energy storage device is charged by a photovoltaic cell upon irradiation. The energy storage powers one or more light sources which are coupled to the sides of the luminescent plate. The light emitted by the light sources is coupled into the plate and (partly) converted by the luminescent plate. This results in a plate that homogeneously emits light.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a luminescent object comprising: a. a luminescent layer or core containing a photoluminescent material; and b. a wavelength-selective mirror; wherein the luminescent layer or luminescent core is optically coupled to the wavelength-selective mirror, said wavelength-selective mirror being at least 50% transparent to light absorbed by the photoluminescent material and at least 50% reflective to radiation that is emitted by the photoluminescent material. The luminescent object according to the present invention may advantageously be employed in luminescent solar concentrator systems as it enables highly efficient transportation of radiation emitted by the photoluminescent material fo llowing exposure to incident solar light. Another aspect of the invention concerns a photovoltaic device comprising an electromagnetic radiation collection medium containing the aforementioned luminescent object and a photovoltaic cell capable of converting optical radiation to electrical energy which is optically coupled to the luminescent object. Further aspects of the invention include a fluorescent light activated display and a room lighting system comprising the aforementioned luminescent object.

Luminescent solar concentrators in accordance with various embodiments of the invention can be designed to minimize photon thermalization losses and incomplete light trapping using various components and techniques. Cadmium selenide core, cadmium sulfide shell (CdSe / CdS) quantum dot (“QD”) technology can be implemented in such devices to allow for near-unity QDs and sufficiently large Stokes shifts. Many embodiments of the invention include a luminescent solar concentrator that incorporates CdSe / CdS quantum dot luminophores. In further embodiments, anisotropic luminophore emission can be implemented through metasurface / plasmonic antenna coupling. In several embodiments, red-shifted luminophores are implemented. Additionally, top and bottom spectrally-selective filters, such as but not limited to selectively-reflective metasurface mirrors and polymeric stack filters, can be implemented to enhance the photon collection efficiency. In some embodiments, luminescent solar concentrator component is optically connected in tandem with a planar Si subcell, forming a micro-optical tandem luminescent solar concentrator.

Luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) comprising at least one disubstituted benzoselenadiazole compound having general formula (I): R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5, equal to or different from each other, represent a hydrogen atom; or they are selected from linear or branched C1-C20, preferably C1-C10, alkyl groups, cycloalkyl groups optionally substituted, aryl groups optionally substituted, linear or branched C1-C20, preferably C1-C10, alkoxyl groups, optionally substituted; or R1 and R2, can be possibly bound to each other so as to form, together with the carbon atoms to which they are bound, a cycle or a polycyclic system containing from 3 to 14 carbon atoms, preferably from 4 to 6 carbon atoms, saturated, unsaturated, or aromatic, possibly containing one or more heteroatoms such as, for example, oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, silicon, phosphorous, selenium; or R3 and R4, can be possibly bound to each other so as to form, together with the carbon atoms to which they are bound, a cycle or a polycyclic system containing from 3 to 14 carbon atoms, preferably from 4 to 6 carbon atoms, saturated, unsaturated, or aromatic, possibly containing one or more heteroatoms such as, for example, oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, silicon, phosphorous, selenium; or R4 and R5, can be possibly bound to each other so as to form, together with the carbon atoms to which they are bound, a cycle or a polycyclic system containing from 3 to 14 carbon atoms, preferably from 4 to 6 carbon atoms, saturated, unsaturated, or aromatic, possibly containing one or more heteroatoms such as, for example, oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, silicon, phosphorous, selenium.(img file=DPA0000183055600000011.tif wi=970 he=408 / ).

The invention provides a lighting device comprising a first luminescent concentrator further using a second luminescent material of another composition alongside the first luminescent concentrator (especially no optical contact and / or optically separated using a dichroic mirror). Especially, this second material has an absorption band overlapping with the emission band of the first material. As a consequence a significant part of the light generated by the first luminescent material will be absorbed by the second material resulting in a high brightness white source with increased efficiency.

Luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) comprising at least one disubstituted benzothiadiazole compound having general formula (I).The present invention also relates to the use of at least one disubstituted benzothiadiazole compound in the construction of luminescent solar concentrators (LSC).

Luminescent solar concentrators having a grid-based PV design can be implemented in many different ways. In several embodiments, the LSC is implemented using infrared luminophore technology combined with a PV design implementing a grid of PV cells. LSCs can incorporate quantum dots that absorb uniformly across the visible spectrum and photoluminesce down-shifted energy light in the infrared wavelength regime. Some embodiments include PV cells utilizing micro-grid structures that can be implemented for scalable and controllably transparent applications, such as but not limited to power windows targeted for building integrated photovoltaic applications. In a number of embodiments, the LSCs can utilize a unique PV cell form factor and spectral filter coatings to increase the thermal insulation of the window and enhance photocurrent capture by a silicon micro-grid.

The invention discloses a solar power generation apparatus and a solar power generation system. The solar power generation apparatus includes a first optical waveguide sheet and a second optical waveguide sheet which is arranged opposite to the first optical waveguide sheet. A side edge of the first optical waveguide sheet is in sealed connection to a side edge of the second optical waveguide sheet via a solar battery piece. The first optical waveguide sheet has a surface which is opposite to the second optical waveguide sheet and is provided with a first luminescent layer. The second optical waveguide sheet has a surface which is opposite to the first optical waveguide sheet and is provided with a second luminescent layer. The solar battery piece is provided with a battery adapter. The solar power generation apparatus addresses the technical problems of current luminescent solar concentrators, such as low utilization rate of solar energy and short service life, further increases utilization rate of solar energy, and prolongs service life of luminescent solar concentrators.

The present disclosure describes luminescent solar concentrators that include photoluminescent nanoparticles. The photoluminescent nanoparticles include a semiconductor nanocrystal that sensitizes the luminescence of a defect. The defect can include, for example, an atom, a cluster of atoms, or a lattice vacancy. The defect can be incorporated into the semiconductor nanocrystal, adsorbed onto, or otherwise associated with the surface of the semiconductor nanocrystal.

A luminescent solar concentrator apparatus includes an optically transparent substrate and a photovoltaic material layer at least partially embedded within an optically transparent encapsulant material layer that contacts the optically transparent substrate. A luminescent material layer also contacts the optically transparent encapsulant material layer. Generally, the luminescent solar concentrator apparatus provides that the luminescent material layer is not located within an incoming optical pathway through at least the optically transparent substrate to the photovoltaic material layer.

The invention discloses a quantum dots based luminescent solar concentrator (QDs-LSC) based on a spectral down-conversion technique, a flat concentrating photovoltaic device and a preparation method thereof. The QDs-LSC comprises a quantum dots based luminescent solar concentrating layer, and is characterized in that the upper surface of the quantum dots based luminescent solar concentrating layer is provided with a solar spectrum down-conversion layer; the lower surface of the quantum dots based luminescent solar concentrating layer and the upper surface of the solar spectrum up-conversion layer are provided with light-trapping layer glass pieces; the upper surface of the upper light-trapping layer glass piece is provided with a top antireflection layer for reducing the reflection of sunlight; and the lower surface of the lower light-trapping layer glass piece is provided with a bottom metal reflective layer. The flat concentrating photovoltaic device comprises solar panels arranged around the QDs-LSC. PCBs plated with conductive metal are fixedly disposed on the outer sides of the solar panels. The QDs-LSC can reduce the incident photon reflection loss and low-energy photon transmittance, thereby significantly improving the photon collection efficiency in the infrared band.

Process for the preparation of a benzohetero [1, 3] diazole compound disubstituted with heteroaryl groups which comprises reacting at least one benzohetero [1, 3] diazole compound disubstituted with at least one heteroaryl compound. Said benzohetero [1, 3] diazole compound disubstituted with heteroaryl groups can be advantageously used in the construction of luminescent solar concentrators (LSC). Furthermore, said benzohetero [1, 3] diazole compound disubstituted with heteroaryl groups can be advantageously used in the construction of photovoltaic devices such as, for example, photovoltaic cells, photovoltaic modules, solar cells, solar modules, on both a rigid and flexible support. Said benzohetero [1, 3] diazole compound disubstituted with heteroaryl groups can also be advantageously used as a precursor of monomeric units in the preparation of semiconductor polymers.

A luminescent solar concentrator, comprising: at least one luminescent device (12) for converting incident light (16) in at least one operating mode, wherein the luminescent device (12) has at least one nanostructured layer (34) and at least one luminescent member (14), and wherein the nanostructured layer (34) is in close proximity to the luminescent member (14); and at least one light guide (18) that is designed to guide light in a direction by total internal reflection.

The invention discloses an inorganic fluorescent powder material co-doped with transition metal Cr<3+> and rare earth Er<3+> ions, and the chemical general formula of the inorganic fluorescent powdermaterial is La<3(1-x)>Er<3x>Ga<5.5(1-y)>Cr<5.5y>Nb<0.5>O<14>, wherein x is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 0.07, and y is equal to 0.005. The invention also provides a preparation method of the fluorescent powder. According to the invention, a high-temperature solid-phase method is used to synthesize a Cr<3+> and Er<3+> co-doped La3Ga5.5Nb0.5O14 inorganic fluorescent powder material; tests are carried out by instruments such as X-ray powder diffraction XRD, transient / steady state fluorescence spectrum FL and the like; and the result shows that the synthesized fluorescent powder has the fluorescent characteristics of almost covering full-wave band of visible light absorption and high-efficiency emission of near-infrared light of 1536 nm. Moreover, the doped matrix La3Ga5.5Nb0.5O14has excellent thermal stability and chemical stability, so that the novel transition metal wide-spectrum sensitized rare earth ion fluorescent powder can be suitable for high-efficiency stable fluorescent dyes in luminescent solar concentrators (LSC).

A solar concentrator device comprising a solar concentrator element comprising a radiation transmissive surface, a radiation absorptive material and a radiation concentrating / collection point and disposed on the incident radiation side thereof a recapture element for recapturing at least a portion of radiation lost from the concentrator element has improved solar radiation collection efficiency by reintroducing recaptured radiation into the concentrator element or by propagating said recaptured radiation through the recapture element to a radiation concentration point associated with the recapture element. It has been found that planar elements having a grooved or corrugated outer surface make for very good recapture elements for planar concentrator elements.

A transparent solar concentrator is provided for converting solar energy into electrical energy. The solar concentrator includes a first light transmissive substrate (2), a plurality of solar cells (3) for receiving solar energy and converting the solar energy into electrical energy, the plurality of solar cells positioned relative to the first substrate, and a plurality of light redirecting elements (4) arranged in the first light transmissive substrate. Each of the plurality of light redirecting elements is configured to direct light incident on a first side of the first light transmissive substrate to a respective one of the plurality of solar cells on an opposite side of the first light transmissive substrate.

A luminescent concentrator for solar light is provided. The luminescent concentrator comprises a wavelength-selective filter, an energy concentrating area, and a luminescent material. The wavelength-selective filter is adapted to pass the solar light and to reflect light emitted by the luminescent material. Further, a method for concentrating solar light is provided. The method comprises the steps of (a) passing incident solar light through a wavelength-selective filter and an energy concentrating area onto a luminescent material, and (b) converting the incident solar light in the luminescent material to light having a wave-length reflectable by the wavelength-selective filter. The method further comprises a step (c) of concentrating the converted light in a pre-determined area arranged between the wavelength-selective filter and the luminescent material.

A solar concentrator device comprising a solar concentrator element comprising a radiation transmissive surface, a radiation absorptive material and a radiation concentrating / collection point and disposed on the incident radiation side thereof a recapture element for recapturing at least a portion of radiation lost from the concentrator element has improved solar radiation collection efficiency by reintroducing recaptured radiation into the concentrator element or by propagating said recaptured radiation through the recapture element to a radiation concentration point associated with the recapture element. It has been found that planar elements having a grooved or corrugated outer surface make for very good recapture elements for planar concentrator elements.

A luminescent solar concentrator (10) is disclosed. The luminescent solar concentrator (10) has a light guide (12) defined at least in part by a reflector (14). It has a plurality of light absorbing centers (24) located in the light guide. The light absorbing centers (24) are configured to absorb sunlight (25) instant on the light guide (12). There are a plurality of light emitting centers (26) located in the light guide (14). Each of the plurality of light emitting centers (26) are capable of emitting light (18) after at least some of the energy of the absorbed sunlight (25) is transferred (28) from a respective one of the light absorbing centers (24). Each of the plurality of light emitting centers (26) are orientated relative to the reflector (14) to enhance the proportion of light emitted by the respective light emitting center (26) that is reflected by the reflector (14) and so guided within the light guide (12).

The invention relates to a luminescent converter (101) that may for example be used as a luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) in a solar power generator (100). The luminescent converter (101) comprises magic-sized clusters (110), MSCs, of a luminescent material. Preferably, said luminescent material comprises a compound of two elements from groups IV and VI, for example PbSe. The MSCs (110) may be embedded in a transparent light guiding element (120) or be embedded in a thin film on a surface thereof.

A luminescent solar concentrator comprises a primary waveguide and at least one photovoltaic cell. The primary waveguide has a curved surface which concentrates light on a perimeter. The photovoltaic cell is oriented at the perimeter so that it can both receive the concentrated light and receive direct light as well. A back sheet may be provided that provides structural support and protection. The perimeter may have the shape of a polygon where a photovoltaic cell is oriented along each edge. Modules and arrays of such units are also disclosed.

Luminescent solar concentrators in accordance with various embodiments of the invention can be designed to minimize photon thermalization losses and incomplete light trapping using various components and techniques. Cadmium selenide core, cadmium sulfide shell (CdSe / CdS) quantum dot (“QD”) technology can be implemented in such devices to allow for near-unity QDs and sufficiently large Stokes shifts. Many embodiments of the invention include a luminescent solar concentrator that incorporates CdSe / CdS quantum dot luminophores. In further embodiments, anisotropic luminophore emission can be implemented through metasurface / plasmonic antenna coupling. In several embodiments, red-shifted luminophores are implemented. Additionally, top and bottom spectrally-selective filters, such as but not limited to selectively-reflective metasurface mirrors and polymeric stack filters, can be implemented to enhance the photon collection efficiency. In some embodiments, luminescent solar concentrator component is optically connected in tandem with a planar Si subcell, forming a micro-optical tandem luminescent solar concentrator.