US20240178793
Research and development of solar energy is ongoing and increasing. Polymer Bulk Hetero-junction (BHJ) cells represent one area of research. Their lab-scale Power Conversion Efficiency (PCE) is said to reach 17%. However, BHJ systems are said to experience degradation of their PCE during operation.
So-called intrinsic degradation is said to be more ambiguous. Material stability and morphology are of interest here. Photo-induced burn-in loss is said to be the predominant degradation mechanism. It is hypothesized that sub-band gap states may be created from a photo-induced reaction, where disorder at the active layer is increased.
The instant technology applies a large reverse-bias voltage during frequent J-V sweeps, intermittently in operation. The method is said to significantly slow degradation. It is hypothesized that degradation is related to the formation of carrier traps, where there is a decrease in charge carrier mobility. The J-V sweeps are thought to “de-trap” charge carriers. Sweep control circuitry and logic can be integrated in the overall control of the panel. Further, it is believed that the method is applicable to solar cells more generally.
Applicant(s):
National Research Council of Canada
Filing Date:
2022-Nov-24 (US)
Inventor(s):
Salima Alem
Ye Tao
Jianping Lu
Badrou Reda Aich
Neil GraddageE
Zhiyi (Frank) Zhang
Other patents by lead inventor (select):
US10644044: Methods of manufacturing printable photodetector array panels
Independent Claims (Applied for):
Method – 1
Analyst Comments:
At initial reading, applied-for Claim 1 appears straightforward. In terms of the technology one can envision research around J-V conditions to optimize the reduction of degradation. Research might also find different conditions for different cell types. In the end, there appears to be room for future work.
Coming Soon … A patented technology is often directed a solving one problem. However, the technology may be applicable to other fields. There are many examples of a technology jumping fields. So, it never hurts to look. We will look within the IPmart system, leveraging the Framework to tie fields together. There are too many ideas to write here!
Coming Soon … This is where we will look for technology from similar or related fields. We ask what are complimentary & competitive technologies? These might include technologies approaching the same problem or technologies that build on the advances of the instant technology.
Technology Tree
Where am I? The importance of solar energy is hard to minimize. Included in this is the need to maintain or improve conversion efficiency. Application of a reverse-bias voltage is considered here.
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