Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Collector Design for Active Area Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dye-sensitized solar cells face reduced photo-electric conversion efficiency due to the reduction in active area of the photo electrode when using collectors for photocurrent collection, which limits their large-scale application.
Innovation Solution
The design of the collector cells is varied in length and structure to increase the active area of the photo electrode, with perimeter collector cells potentially being longer than those between the photo electrode cells, and featuring trapezoidal or rounded shapes to minimize dead space and enhance photocurrent collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If collectors are used to collect photocurrent in large-sized dye-sensitized solar cells, then fill factor and photocurrent are increased, but the active area of the photo electrode is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The collector is divided into multiple collector cells arranged in lines, with each collector cell having optimized dimensions. The segmentation allows for efficient photocurrent collection while minimizing the total area occupied by collectors, thus preserving more active area for the photo electrode.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the solar cell are assigned different functions with optimized characteristics: the photo electrode area is maximized for light absorption and charge generation, while the collector cells are strategically positioned and sized to provide adequate photocurrent collection without excessive area consumption. The local optimization of each region's properties resolves the area trade-off.
2Reliability
If the number of collector cells is increased to improve photocurrent collection, then fill factor increases, but the active area of the photo electrode is further reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing excessive collector coverage that would maximize photocurrent collection but reduce active area, the invention uses a partial action approach by optimizing the number and size of collector cells to provide just sufficient collection capability. This balanced approach achieves adequate photocurrent without unnecessarily reducing the photo electrode active area.
Solution Approach 2:
The dimensions, spacing, and arrangement parameters of collector cells are optimized to achieve the best balance between photocurrent collection and active area preservation. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves high fill factor and photocurrent while maintaining maximum photo electrode area.
3Reliability
If collector cells are made larger to improve collection efficiency, then fill factor increases, but dead space increases and active area ratio decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The collector is segmented into multiple smaller collector cells rather than using one large collector. This segmentation improves collection efficiency at each local region while reducing the total dead space compared to a single large collector, thereby maintaining a higher active area ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The collector cells are designed with rounded corners instead of sharp angles, which reduces dead space in the corners and improves the active area ratio while maintaining adequate collection efficiency through the curved geometry that follows the optimal current collection paths.
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
This approach increases the active area of the photo electrode, thereby improving the photo-electric conversion efficiency and fill factor of dye-sensitized solar cells, as demonstrated by increased active and aperture area ratios and measured efficiencies.
Implementation Method 1
photo-electric conversion efficiency
Implementation Method 2
Ru-based dye that can absorb light
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a dye-sensitized solar cell. The dye-sensitized solar cell includes a working electrode and a counter electrode configured to join the working electrode. The working electrode includes a photo electrode having a plurality of photo electrode cells coated on a transparent conductive substrate and arranged in linear rows and a collector having a plurality of collector cells coated on the transparent conductive substrate and arranged along perimeters of the photo electrode and between the photo electrode cells and a collector bottom portion integrally interconnecting the collector cells. The collector cells have a same length or the collector cells arranged along the perimeters have a different length from the collector cells arranged between the photo electrode cells to increase an active area of the photo electrode.