Organic Photovoltaics--Flexible Light Weight Multi-junction Cells Based on Polymer/fullerene Active Layers

In Phase I, we are examining materials that can be used to make tandem cells, with formulations that can be used on the process development coating machine. The goal is to demonstrate the feasibility of tandem modules with 6% efficiency. Phase II will begin mid-May 2008 with the goal of reproducible, 7% efficiency, tandem-cell module prototypes made on our coater/printer machines. These prototypes will be ready for field testing and integration in initial target applications. To accomplish this goal, we will first optimize laboratory formulations based on Phase I results. This optimization will require iterative experimentation between the laboratory coatings and pilot machine coatings. When optimization is accomplished, the formulations will be scaled-up, and coating machine processes will be developed and optimized. We anticipate new materials for the hole injecting, electron injecting, and active layers will become available in this time frame, and additional formulation development in conjunction with machine coatings will continue. As improvements are made, these new formulations will be incorporated into the process development/optimization program to improve module performance even further. In the final year, the modules will be encapsulated with water vapor barriers, and ready to field testing by the end of Phase II.