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Metal-blacks for plasmonic enhancement of solar-cell efficiency

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
Air Force 		Award ID:
95038 		Program Year/Program:
2010 / STTR
Agency Tracking Number:
F09B-T39-0266 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
AF 09TT39 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
Physical Engineering Corporation
5807 Wales Ave. Port Orange, FL 32127
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Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2010
Title: Metal-blacks for plasmonic enhancement of solar-cell efficiency
Agency / Branch: DOD / USAF
Contract: FA9550-10-C-0069
Award Amount: $99,275.00
 

Abstract:

This Phase I STTR proposal will demonstrate nanostructured "metal-black" coatings to enhance absorption by thin film solar cells. The problem is that silicon has low absorption due to its indirect gap. The opportunity is that nano-scale metallic scattering centers increase the effective optical path length and enhance the solar electric-field strength in thin-film solar cells, leading to more efficient harvesting of solar photons. We propose deposition of so-called "metal blacks", a nano-structured conductor that requires no lithographic patterning and gives a broad particle-size distribution. Effects of coverage, particle size distribution, co-deposition of dielectric polymers, and co-deposition of different metal-blacks will be investigated. The role of plasma oscillations will be elucidated and optimized by correlating efficiency improvements with Photo-Electron Emission Microscopy images of resonance hot-spot distributions. BENEFIT: Anticipated benefits of this research are order-of-magnitude increases in light harvesting and photo-voltaic conversion efficiency by means of a simple low-cost coating process. This can substantially decrease the number and weight of solar panels. In addition to usual photo-voltaic power generation, commercial opportunities significantly include space-flight and airborne applications having restricted weight budgets.

Principal Investigator:

Chris Fredricksen
President
3866317319
cfredricksen@gmail.com

Business Contact:

Beth Greene
Administrative Assistant
3863083177
physicalengineeringcorp@gmail.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

Physical Engineering Corporation
5807 Wales Ave. Port Orange, FL 32127

EIN/Tax ID: 223955396
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
Research Institution Information:
University of Central Florida
4000 Central Florida Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32816
Contact: Robert Peale
Contact Phone: 4078235208