Low Temperature Fabrication of Flexible High Efficiency Perovskite Photovoltaic Modules for Energy Harvesting Applications

The objective of this program is to develop flexible, high-efficiency perovskite photovoltaic modules for incorporation onto future fabric-based Army packs, tents and shelters, as well as UAVs, drones and other platforms, to provide portable, renewable electrical power and reduce the need for warfighters to carry multiple heavy batteries. During Phase I, NanoSonic and Penn State analyzed approaches to produce perovskite solar cells (PSCs) entirely using electrospray deposition techniques. During Phase II, we will optimize each of the electrospray PSC materials, scale up the size of the PSC elements, develop a multi-head electrospray manufacturing system and use it to produce PSC arrays, and combine the arrays into modules to provide needed voltages and currents. Professor Shashank Priya at Penn State is a leader in the development of PSCs and electrospray synthesis methods; NanoSonic is a 20 year-old advanced materials company and has equipment for the manufacturing of PSCs by electrospray. Phase II goals are 1) improved perovskite materials for deposition by electrospraying, 2) hole transport and conductive transparent electrode materials that can be deposited by electrospraying, 3) meter-square PSC modules, and 4) processes that demonstrate technology readiness and manufacturing readiness levels to enable Phase III production, technology transfer and product sales.