Flexible, Light-Weight, and Solid-State Nanocrystalline TiO2-Polymer Solar Cells on Plastics

"EIC laboratories proposes to develop flexible, lightweight, highly efficient and low-cost dye-sensitized nanocrystalline solar cells having an all plastic construction. The proposed all-plastic and flexible versions of Gratzel cells made by continuouscoating and lamination processes will be attractive for Air Expeditionary Force deployable shelters at a projected cost of ~$0.50/Wp. To enhance manufacturability, we propose to employ an all-solid state construction based on laminates of novellow-temperature sintered nanocrystalline TiO2 thin films and ion conductive polymer electrolytes or hole transport polymers between flexible polymer substrates coated with appropriate current collector thin films. In Phase I, we demonstrated cells withthis construction having >5% solar conversion efficiency. Phase II will address efficiency improvements through TiO2, polymer and current collection modifications as well as the manufacturing technology to produce high efficiency, ultralight cell arraysof several square feet adhered to tentage textiles."