3D Electrode Organic Photovoltaic Cell Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current silicon-based solar cell modules have energy efficiencies limited to 15% with high production costs, making them economically unfeasible for widespread adoption, and traditional planar electrodes restrict energy conversion efficiency due to limited surface contact areas and increased electrical resistance.
Innovation Solution
The development of novel photovoltaic cells with three-dimensional electrodes made from conductive or semi-conductive materials like carbon or organic polymers, which increase surface contact areas by 3 to 6 times without raising electrical resistance, and the use of multi-layer functional designs to enhance energy conversion efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If traditional planar electrodes are used, then the device structure is simple, but the surface contact area is limited and electrical resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional planar electrodes to three-dimensional vertically-oriented electrodes. This dimensional change increases the surface contact area between electrodes and photoactive material while maintaining low electrical resistance through the vertical architecture that provides direct charge transport pathways to collection contacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different properties to different parts of the electrode structure. The vertically-oriented electrodes provide localized high surface area contact with photoactive material in the active layer, while the base contacts provide low-resistance electrical connection to external circuits. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between surface area and resistance.
2Productivity
If silicon-based solar cell modules are used, then energy conversion efficiency is limited to 15%, but production costs are high at 30-40 cents per kWh
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the photovoltaic device by using organic photoactive materials instead of silicon, and vertically-oriented electrodes instead of planar electrodes. These parameter changes enable higher energy conversion efficiency while using lower-cost manufacturing processes, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and production cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures combining organic photoactive materials with conductive or semi-conductive electrode materials. This composite approach allows optimization of both light absorption (for efficiency) and charge transport (for cost-effectiveness), achieving high efficiency at lower production costs compared to traditional silicon-based modules.
3Quantity of substance
If thick photoactive layers are used, then light absorption increases, but electrical resistance increases with traditional planar electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical orientation of electrodes creates a three-dimensional architecture where photoactive material can be deposited in thick layers throughout the device volume. The vertical electrodes provide direct conductive pathways from the deep interior of thick photoactive layers to collection contacts, maintaining low electrical resistance even with increased photoactive material thickness for enhanced light absorption.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The three-dimensional electrode design significantly improves energy conversion efficiency to at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 40%, or 50% and reduces production costs to below 20 cents per kWh, making solar energy more economically viable.
Implementation Method 1
a photon from the electromagnetic radiation is absorbed by the photoactive material
Implementation Method 2
photovoltaic cells are the main devices to convert solar energy into electricity
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein, in certain instances, is a novel photovoltaic cell that uses unique micro-architectural and multi-layer functional designs. Further disclosed herein, in certain instances, is a 3-dimensional electrode. Disclosed herein, in certain instances, is a novel electroluminescent cell that uses unique micro-architectural and multi-layer functional designs. Further disclosed herein, in certain instances, is a 3-dimensional diode.