Photovoltaic Cell Spacers for Flexible Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

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Solution Overview

Problem

Photovoltaic cells, particularly dye-sensitized solar cells, face issues with electrical shorting due to uneven spacing between electrodes, especially when bent or flexed, leading to reduced efficiency and shorter lifetimes.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating electrically insulating spacers or a porous membrane/mesh within the photoactive or charge carrier material to maintain a consistent distance between electrodes, preventing contact and reducing the likelihood of short circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the photovoltaic cell is bent or flexed to increase adaptability, then the cell can be applied to curved surfaces, but the spacing between electrodes becomes uneven leading to electrical shorting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to be bent or flexedVSAvoidelectrical shorting between electrodes

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces spacers as intermediary elements positioned between the electrodes to maintain proper spacing and prevent electrical contact. These spacers act as mediators that allow the cell to be bent while maintaining electrical isolation between electrodes, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the spacing between electrodes is reduced to improve efficiency, then energy conversion efficiency increases, but the likelihood of electrical shorting increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy conversion efficiencyVSAvoidelectrical shorting between electrodes

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spacers serve as intermediary elements that enable close electrode spacing for high efficiency while simultaneously preventing electrical contact. The spacers fill the gap between electrodes, allowing the electrodes to be positioned close together for efficient energy conversion without risking electrical shorting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the photovoltaic cell is repeatedly bent or flexed to increase adaptability, then the cell can conform to various surfaces, but the lifetime of the cell decreases due to electrode contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to conform to surfacesVSAvoidcell lifetime

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The spacers provide beforehand cushioning by pre-establishing physical barriers between electrodes before any bending occurs. This preventive measure ensures that even during repeated flexing and conforming to various surfaces, the electrodes remain separated, thus preserving cell lifetime while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 spacers or membranes enhance the photovoltaic cell's efficiency by preventing short circuits, maintaining consistent performance over time, and extending the cell's useful lifetime by ensuring stable electrode separation even when the cell is bent or flexed.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of spacers that are at least partially disposed in the photoactive material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical separation:

Implementation Method 2

a member in the shape of a porous membrane or mesh that is at least partially disposed in the photoactive material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPorous structure: Porosity

Data Source

PatentUS7586035B2Photovoltaic cell with spacers

Publication Date: 2009.09.08 ASCA GMBH ANGEWANDTE SYNTHESECHEMIE ADLERSHOF

AI summary

Photovoltaic cells with spacers, as well as related compositions, systems, and methods, are disclosed.