Ultrathin III-V Solar Cells via Crack-Assisted Layer Exfoliation. III-V semiconductors are excellent photovoltaic materials with highest demonstrated solar-to-electricity conversion efficiencies, but find limited usage in terrestrial applications due to high material and fabrication costs. This project aims to improve the cost-effectiveness of III-V solar cells by developing ultrathin III-V semiconductors via crack-assisted layer transfer approach and epitaxy-free fabrication via heterojunction ....Ultrathin III-V Solar Cells via Crack-Assisted Layer Exfoliation. III-V semiconductors are excellent photovoltaic materials with highest demonstrated solar-to-electricity conversion efficiencies, but find limited usage in terrestrial applications due to high material and fabrication costs. This project aims to improve the cost-effectiveness of III-V solar cells by developing ultrathin III-V semiconductors via crack-assisted layer transfer approach and epitaxy-free fabrication via heterojunction architectures, paving the way for cost-effective, high-efficiency, flexible solar cells. The expected outcomes include a disruptive technology for integrated photovoltaics, novel contact and passivation materials, as well as new knowledge generated in materials science and optoelectronics disciplines.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100569
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Ultra-Porous Devices by Synergistic Aerosol and Atomic Layer Depositions. The project aspires to develop a scalable low-cost approach for the synthesis and integration of ultra-porous films in nanodevices. The project intends to deposit atomic layers onto aerogel-like nanoparticle networks, self-assembled by thermophoresis of flame-made aerosols. This would increase the atomically-deposited layer mass by several hundred-fold per cycle and result in ultra-porous films with electrochemically activ ....Ultra-Porous Devices by Synergistic Aerosol and Atomic Layer Depositions. The project aspires to develop a scalable low-cost approach for the synthesis and integration of ultra-porous films in nanodevices. The project intends to deposit atomic layers onto aerogel-like nanoparticle networks, self-assembled by thermophoresis of flame-made aerosols. This would increase the atomically-deposited layer mass by several hundred-fold per cycle and result in ultra-porous films with electrochemically active surface areas. It is intended that the project will demonstrate the fabrication of solid–gas, solid–liquid and solid–solid nanointerfaces, which will be applicable to key emerging technologies such as wearable medical diagnostics.Read moreRead less
Efficient, durable and green chalcopyrite solar powered building steel. This project aims to develop a long-life, stable, high-performance, and green chalcopyrite solar powered building steel, which is expected to offer a shapable truly green building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) product for building deployment. This will be realized by synergising multidiscipline expertise, integrating established technologies of steel surface treatment, steel and solar cell integration and shaping, high-effi ....Efficient, durable and green chalcopyrite solar powered building steel. This project aims to develop a long-life, stable, high-performance, and green chalcopyrite solar powered building steel, which is expected to offer a shapable truly green building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) product for building deployment. This will be realized by synergising multidiscipline expertise, integrating established technologies of steel surface treatment, steel and solar cell integration and shaping, high-efficiency chalcopyrite, identified strategies for tackling its durability and toxicity, and advanced macro-to-micro characterizations. The project completion will accelerate the transition to the zero-emission building, establish Australia's excellence in green steel for BIPV, and access a share in the soaring BIPV market.Read moreRead less
III-V semiconductor nanowire solar cells without p-n junctions. This project proposes a new class of nanowire solar cells that do not rely on conventional electrical (p-n) junction for photo-generated charge carrier separation. Instead the band structure of the semiconductors is engineered to form a misalignment which leads to the spatial separation of carriers. This approach is expected to fundamentally change the design of solar cells, eliminating the technologically challenging need for formi ....III-V semiconductor nanowire solar cells without p-n junctions. This project proposes a new class of nanowire solar cells that do not rely on conventional electrical (p-n) junction for photo-generated charge carrier separation. Instead the band structure of the semiconductors is engineered to form a misalignment which leads to the spatial separation of carriers. This approach is expected to fundamentally change the design of solar cells, eliminating the technologically challenging need for forming good electrical junctions, while retaining all advantages inherent to III-V semiconductor nanowire solar cells. More importantly, the device concept proposed is expected to have implications for a wider class of solar cells based on exotic/novel materials or nanostructures where achieving both n- and p-doping may be challenging.Read moreRead less
Towards high performance compound semiconductor nanowire array solar cells. Semiconductor nanowires have great potential for photovoltaic applications due to their unique structural, electrical and optical properties. This project aims to establish a new research program to integrate highly sophisticated theoretical modelling, material growth and nanofabrication capabilities to develop high performance III-V compound semiconductor nanowire array solar cells. New concepts, strategies and technolo ....Towards high performance compound semiconductor nanowire array solar cells. Semiconductor nanowires have great potential for photovoltaic applications due to their unique structural, electrical and optical properties. This project aims to establish a new research program to integrate highly sophisticated theoretical modelling, material growth and nanofabrication capabilities to develop high performance III-V compound semiconductor nanowire array solar cells. New concepts, strategies and technologies developed by this project will not only advance the fundamental understanding of many intriguing physics in nanowire materials and devices, but also pave the way towards high efficiency photovoltaics to address the world’s energy-related issues. Read moreRead less
Nitride-based Compound Semiconductors for Solar Water Splitting. Global warming warrants urgent investment in clean and sustainable energy generation. This project aims to investigate the use of nitride semiconductors, a commonly used material for LEDs, and solar energy to generate hydrogen by splitting water molecules. These semiconductors have excellent light absorption efficiency and can be designed to better match the solar spectrum. The project will explore the underlying mechanism of light ....Nitride-based Compound Semiconductors for Solar Water Splitting. Global warming warrants urgent investment in clean and sustainable energy generation. This project aims to investigate the use of nitride semiconductors, a commonly used material for LEDs, and solar energy to generate hydrogen by splitting water molecules. These semiconductors have excellent light absorption efficiency and can be designed to better match the solar spectrum. The project will explore the underlying mechanism of light interaction with the semiconductor through band bending and surface engineering, and determine how this interaction affects the dissociation of water molecules. The concepts demonstrated in the project are expected to pave the way for further development of this technology for future applications. Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC180100049
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,380,454.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre for Future Energy Storage Technologies. The ARC Training Centre for Future Energy Storage Technologies aims to equip the next generation of researchers and the energy technology workforce with the skills needed to drive innovation, exploration and investigation so we safeguard our workers and industries. The Centre aims to challenge existing thinking and expand Australia’s capacity in energy storage and production. The Centre expects to create new knowledge and intellectual p ....ARC Training Centre for Future Energy Storage Technologies. The ARC Training Centre for Future Energy Storage Technologies aims to equip the next generation of researchers and the energy technology workforce with the skills needed to drive innovation, exploration and investigation so we safeguard our workers and industries. The Centre aims to challenge existing thinking and expand Australia’s capacity in energy storage and production. The Centre expects to create new knowledge and intellectual property in advanced energy materials, batteries and battery-control systems for integration into end user industries. This Centre will facilitate small to medium-sized enterprises to take a global leadership role in advancing and producing new age storage technologies. By harnessing the expertise of researchers and industry partners the Centre aims to deliver benefit to our economy, the community and the environment.
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