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SBIR Phase I: New Fullerene-based Electron Acceptor Materials for High Efficiency Polymer Solar Cells

Award Information
Agency: National Science Foundation
Branch: N/A
Contract: 1046857
Agency Tracking Number: 1046857
Amount: $149,984.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: NM
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2010
Award Year: 2011
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2011-01-01
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2011-06-30
Small Business Information
3445 Fletcher Avenue
El Monte, CA -
United States
DUNS: 787944805
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Yue Wu
 (626) 456-8090
 yuew@solarmer.com
Business Contact
 Yue Wu
Title: PhD
Phone: (626) 456-8090
Email: yuew@solarmer.com
Research Institution
 Stub
Abstract

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to demonstrate 10% energy conversion efficiency for Organic Photovoltaics (OPVs) through the design and synthesis of new acceptor materials. Polymer-based OPV technology is ideal for clean and affordable energy generation because of its low-cost and non-toxic processes. Currently, the best energy conversion efficiency of OPV is about 8%, which is much lower than their inorganic counterparts. Further development of both donor polymers and acceptors is required to continuously improve OPV efficiencies. Acceptor materials with high carrier mobility and appropriate energy levels are needed to achieve higher energy conversion efficiencies. In this project, new electron acceptor materials and environmentally-friendly solvents will be designed and synthesized. The optimization of device structure and polymer film morphology will be conducted. The broader/commercial impact of this project will be the potential to offer high- efficiency OPVs that are low-cost, flexible, and easily deployable. OPVs can be used in portable electronics, building integrated photovoltaics, smart fabrics, sensors and other applications. OPVs also have the potential to challenge the current battery technology as portable power source and limit the use of toxic materials used in batteries.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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