Perovskite Solar Window Adhesion Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

The trend towards all-glass facades in commercial buildings increases energy consumption due to excessive energy loss, necessitating new strategies for solar energy conversion and heat control while maintaining architectural aesthetics.

Innovation Solution

A device incorporating a perovskite layer, charge-transport layers, and an adhesion layer, where the adhesion layer forms bonds with both the charge-transport and perovskite layers, enabling switchable solar windows that generate electricity and control solar heat gain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If all-glass facades are used in commercial buildings to maintain architectural aesthetics and connection to outdoors, then architectural freedom and aesthetics are improved, but energy loss increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearchitectural freedomVSAvoidenergy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines photovoltaic energy conversion functionality with window glass structures, creating a hybrid system that simultaneously generates electricity and provides building envelope coverage. This merging allows the facade to serve dual purposes: maintaining architectural aesthetics while converting solar energy to electrical energy, thereby reducing overall energy loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The window-integrated photovoltaic device performs multiple functions within a single structure: it acts as both a building envelope component (providing architectural freedom and aesthetics) and an energy generation device. The system converts solar radiation into electrical energy while maintaining the visual and structural properties of glass facades, thus addressing both aesthetic and energy efficiency requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If conventional PV modules are deployed on building rooftops, then solar energy conversion is achieved, but building area utilization is limited due to roof area constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy generationVSAvoidroof area

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions photovoltaic deployment from the horizontal rooftop dimension to the vertical facade dimension. By integrating PV cells into window structures that cover building exteriors, the system utilizes vertical surface area that would otherwise be unused for energy generation, dramatically increasing the total area available for solar energy conversion without occupying additional land.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If solar energy conversion is implemented in windows, then electricity generation is improved, but visible light transmittance may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectricity generationVSAvoidvisible light transmittance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies photovoltaic functionality selectively to specific regions within the window structure rather than uniformly across the entire glass surface. This localized approach allows certain areas to maintain high light transmittance for visibility and natural lighting, while other regions incorporate PV cells for energy generation, optimizing both optical and electrical performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The window-integrated photovoltaic system uses composite structures combining transparent conducting oxides, perovskite or organic PV materials, and glass substrates. These composite materials enable simultaneous achievement of electrical conductivity, optical transparency, and photovoltaic functionality, allowing the window to generate electricity while maintaining adequate visible light transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution achieves efficient solar energy conversion and heat management, allowing for net-zero energy classification in buildings by maintaining high visible light transmittance while generating electricity, thus addressing energy efficiency and architectural demands.

Implementation Method 1

the adhesion layer forms a first bond with the charge transport layer, and the adhesion layer forms a second bond with the perovskite layer... both the first bond and the second bond may be either covalent or ionic

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCovalent bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

both the first bond and the second bond may be either covalent or ionic

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

Window-integrated photovoltaic devices... solar energy conversion... generate electricity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11177396B2Window-integrated photovoltaic devices

Publication Date: 2021.11.16 ALLIANCE FOR ENERGY INNOVATION LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a device that includes a perovskite layer, a first charge-transport layer, and an adhesion layer, where the adhesion layer is positioned between the charge transport layer and the perovskite layer, the adhesion layer forms a first bond with the charge transport layer, and the adhesion layer forms a second bond with the perovskite layer.