Transparent Particle Electrode Assembly for Angle-Independent Light Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar panels face inefficiencies due to varying incident angles and light intensities, particularly when fixedly mounted on roofs or windows, as they struggle to optimize energy harvesting across different sunlight conditions.
Innovation Solution
An electrode assembly featuring a non-close packed monolayer of transparent particles, integrated with electron transport and light-absorbing layers, enhances light-matter interaction by creating a photonic nano-structured heterojunction, allowing for efficient energy harvesting regardless of incident angle and light intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated solar panels are moved along tracks to follow the sun, then light harvesting efficiency is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical tracking system with a photonic nanostructured electrode assembly that passively optimizes light absorption. The nanoscale heterojunction structure with particles creates angle-independent light harvesting through optical effects rather than mechanical movement, eliminating the need for motors, tracks, and control systems while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a planar electrode structure to a three-dimensional nanoscale heterojunction architecture. By creating vertical nanoscale interfaces between electron transport material, hole transport material, and particles, the system achieves enhanced light absorption in the third dimension without requiring mechanical complexity.
2Device complexity
If solar panels are fixed at a non-optimal angle, then device complexity is reduced, but light harvesting efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the electrode assembly through nanoscale structuring. The photonic nanostructured heterojunction with particles of specific sizes and arrangements modifies light interaction at the nanoscale, creating angle-independent absorption characteristics that maintain high efficiency regardless of the panel's macroscopic orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies localized nanoscale heterojunction structures at specific regions of the electrode assembly. The particles and material interfaces are strategically positioned to create local optical fields that enhance absorption throughout the device, allowing the entire panel to perform optimally at fixed angles without requiring global structural complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If close-packed monolayers of particles are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but light-matter interaction efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a non-close-packed monolayer configuration that creates controlled void spaces between particles. This porous-like structure at the particle arrangement level increases the effective interface area and allows broader angular acceptance of light, improving light-matter interaction while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing through self-assembly or deposition techniques.
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 configuration increases light absorption and photogenerated charge production, improving solar energy harvesting efficiency and aesthetic appeal, while being suitable for various photovoltaic technologies, including thin-film and emerging solar cells.
Implementation Method 1
The light paths in the light absorber are enlarged with respect to a planar configuration, hence the electrode assembly, when implemented in a solar cell, is able to absorb light more efficiently
Implementation Method 2
Photovoltaic technologies aim at getting as much energy from photovoltaic devices, like, for example, solar panels
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode assembly is provided, comprising (a) a first electrode (1), (b) a monolayer of particles (2), (c) an electron transport material (ETM) layer (3), (d) a light-absorbing layer (4), (e) a hole transport material (HTM) layer (5), and (f) a second electrode (6), wherein at least one of the first and the second electrode (1, 6) is transparent; wherein said monolayer of particles (2) is a non-close packed monolayer; wherein the monolayer of particles (2) is obtained by depositing a non-close packed monolayer of core-shell particles and subsequently removing the shell from said as-deposited non-close packed monolayer of core-shell particles; and wherein a minimum interparticle distance in the monolayer of particles (2) is equal to or greater than two times the thickness of the shell of said core-shell particles. Furthermore, a process for manufacturing the electrode assembly as well as photovoltaic device, comprising the electrode assembly and the use of a non-close packed monolayer of transparent particles in an electrode assembly are provided.