Mathematical modelling of dye-sensitised titania solar cells: a route to improved efficiency in production. Dye-sensitised titania solar cells (DSCs) provide a technically and economically credible alternative to silicon photovotaic devices. Increasing the efficiency of commercially produced DSCs to 12% from the current production cell efficiency of 6%,will result in significantly lower delivered energy costs than the current alternative photovoltaic devices. This project will develop a mathemat ....Mathematical modelling of dye-sensitised titania solar cells: a route to improved efficiency in production. Dye-sensitised titania solar cells (DSCs) provide a technically and economically credible alternative to silicon photovotaic devices. Increasing the efficiency of commercially produced DSCs to 12% from the current production cell efficiency of 6%,will result in significantly lower delivered energy costs than the current alternative photovoltaic devices. This project will develop a mathematical model of a DSC as a first stage in the development of a decision support capability for the manufacture of more efficient DSC's. The model will extend existing models to incorporate full transport modelling and side-reactions in the electrolyte and will be validated by experimental work.Read moreRead less
Modifying Structure and Properties of Carbon Nanotubes for Device Applications (MWN). The focus of this project is to develop new heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube materials for use in conjugated-polymer composite photovoltaic cells. Synthesis of boron and of nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by the US researchers will be complemented by ion-implantation post-synthesis of CNTs by the Australian team, to gain a thorough and detailed understanding of how the CNTs can act effectively as both an ....Modifying Structure and Properties of Carbon Nanotubes for Device Applications (MWN). The focus of this project is to develop new heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube materials for use in conjugated-polymer composite photovoltaic cells. Synthesis of boron and of nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by the US researchers will be complemented by ion-implantation post-synthesis of CNTs by the Australian team, to gain a thorough and detailed understanding of how the CNTs can act effectively as both an electron acceptor and charge transport medium in a conjugated polymer. Outcomes will include fundamental advances in our understanding of charge transport in the composite devices and prototype organic photovoltaic devices of improved efficiency.Read moreRead less
Macromolecular Materials for Organic Solar Cells. The world is in the midst of a climate crisis driven by mankind's insatiable demand for fossil-fuel energy. Renewable technologies such as solar and wind will undoubtedly form part of our future energy mix. Solar cells in particular have great potential- especially in sunny countries like Australia. The uptake of solar cell technology is hampered by their current high cost and long payback time. This project concerns the development of new solar ....Macromolecular Materials for Organic Solar Cells. The world is in the midst of a climate crisis driven by mankind's insatiable demand for fossil-fuel energy. Renewable technologies such as solar and wind will undoubtedly form part of our future energy mix. Solar cells in particular have great potential- especially in sunny countries like Australia. The uptake of solar cell technology is hampered by their current high cost and long payback time. This project concerns the development of new solar cells based upon novel organic materials called dendrimers. These materials can be solution processed and will dramatically reduce cost and payback time in next generation devices.Read moreRead less