Title: Solar cells incorporating light harvesting arrays

Abstract

A solar cell incorporates a light harvesting array that comprises: (a) a first substrate comprising a first electrode; and (b) a layer of light harvesting rods electrically coupled to the first electrode, each of the light harvesting rods comprising a polymer of Formula I: ##EQU1## wherein m is at least 1, and may be from two, three or four to 20 or more; X.sup.1 is a charge separation group (and preferably a porphyrinic macrocycle, which may be one ligand of a double-decker sandwich compound) having an excited-state of energy equal to or lower than that of X.sup.2 ; and X.sup.2 through X.sup.m+1 are chromophores (and again are preferably porphyrinic macrocycles).

Inventors:

Lindsey, Jonathan S.; Meyer, Gerald J.

Issue Date:

2003-07-22

Research Org.:

North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1174410

Patent Number(s):

6596935

Application Number:

10/141,654

Assignee:

North Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B82 - NANOTECHNOLOGY B82Y - SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES

C - CHEMISTRY C09 - DYES C09B - ORGANIC DYES OR CLOSELY-RELATED COMPOUNDS FOR PRODUCING DYES {, e.g. PIGMENTS},

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B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B82 - NANOTECHNOLOGY B82Y - SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES

B82Y30/00 - Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites

C - CHEMISTRY C09 - DYES C09B - ORGANIC DYES OR CLOSELY-RELATED COMPOUNDS FOR PRODUCING DYES {, e.g. PIGMENTS},

C09B47/00 - Porphines
C09B69/008 - {Dyes containing a substituent, which contains a silicium atom}
C09B69/108 - {containing a phthalocyanine dye}

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01G - CAPACITORS

H01G9/2031 - {comprising titanium oxide, e.g. TiO2
H01G9/2059 - {comprising an organic dye as the active light absorbing material, e.g. adsorbed on an electrode or dissolved in solution}
H01G9/209 - {Light trapping arrangements}

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E10/542 - Dye sensitized solar cells
Y02E10/549 - organic PV cells

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02T - CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION

Y02T10/70 - Energy storage for electromobility

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DOE Contract Number:  

FG02-96ER14632

Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

14 SOLAR ENERGY