Luminescent Solar Concentrator Using Polyether Polyols

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing luminescent solar concentrators in the liquid state rely on toxic, inflammable, and corrosive solvents, posing environmental and health hazards, and requiring large volumes that increase disposal costs and maintenance needs.

Innovation Solution

Development of luminescent solar concentrators using solutions comprising photoluminescent compounds and polyether polyols, which are non-hazardous, reducing the need for toxic solvents and allowing for easier replacement and lower maintenance, while maintaining or improving photovoltaic device performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If toxic solvents (toluene, dichlorobenzene, chloroform, methanol) are used in luminescent solar concentrators, then the photoluminescent compounds can be dissolved and the device can function, but environmental and health hazards increase and disposal costs rise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional performanceVSAvoidenvironmental and health hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter of the solvent from toxic organic solvents to non-toxic polyether polyols (PEG, PPG). This substitution maintains the dissolving capability for photoluminescent compounds while eliminating toxicity, flammability, and corrosiveness issues. The polyether polyols provide equivalent or superior solubility and photostability without the harmful effects of traditional solvents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the previously harmful characteristic of requiring large solvent volumes into a benefit by using polyether polyols that allow lower operating concentrations. This reduces the total volume needed while maintaining functionality, thereby reducing disposal costs and environmental impact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Stability of the object's composition

If large volumes of solvent are used in luminescent solar concentrators, then the photoluminescent compounds can be adequately dissolved and dispersed, but disposal costs and maintenance needs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedissolution and dispersionVSAvoiddisposal costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the concentration parameter by enabling effective operation at lower photoluminescent compound concentrations (0.01-10 mM) when using polyether polyols as solvents. This reduced concentration requirement directly decreases the total volume of solvent needed, lowering disposal costs and maintenance needs while maintaining adequate dissolution and dispersion of the photoluminescent compounds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If photoluminescent compounds are used to extend absorption spectrum beyond effective range, then external quantum efficiency can be improved, but self-absorption phenomena increase when absorption and emission bands overlap

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexternal quantum efficiencyVSAvoidself-absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the polyether polyol solvent to achieve optimal photoluminescent compound concentrations and molecular distributions that minimize self-absorption. The solvent properties enable better spectral separation between absorption and emission bands, reducing energy loss while maintaining extended spectral response and high external quantum efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 use of polyether polyols with photoluminescent compounds in luminescent solar concentrators avoids hazardous solvents, reduces environmental and health risks, and lowers disposal and maintenance costs, while maintaining or enhancing the efficiency of photovoltaic devices and windows.

Implementation Method 1

the photoluminescence process, comprising the absorption of solar radiation and the subsequent emission of photons having a lower wavelength

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Implementation Method 2

selectively absorb the incident radiations having wavelengths outside the effective spectrum of the photovoltaic device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption of solar radiation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS11380810B2Luminescent solar concentrator

Publication Date: 2022.07.05 ENI SPA

AI summary

Luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) comprising at least one solution including at least one photoluminescent compound and at least one polyether polyol. Said luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) can be advantageously used in photovoltaic devices (or solar devices) such as, for example, photovoltaic cells (or solar cells), photoelectrolytic cells. In addition, said luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) can be advantageously used in photovoltaic windows.