Descripción del proyecto
Hacia una síntesis a gran escala de celdas fotovoltaicas de película delgada eficientes
El proyecto SOLARUP, financiado con fondos europeos, tiene como objetivo demostrar una tecnología fotovoltaica de película ultradelgada que sea escalable, rentable y respetuosa con el medio ambiente. La innovación de SOLARUP se basará en la caracterización a nanoescala del fosfuro de zinc (Zn3P2), un material abundante en la tierra, para su uso como absorbente de semiconductores y el diseño de una novedosa arquitectura de dispositivos. Los investigadores se proponen mejorar la eficiencia de las celdas en hasta un 15 %. La tecnología de conversión de energía solar propuesta reducirá la dependencia de materias primas fundamentales y superará los umbrales de eficiencia para abrir la puerta a la futura implementación masiva de las celdas fotovoltaicas flexibles en edificios inteligentes, robótica blanda, electrónica ponible y otros productos de consumo. El proyecto reúne a seis equipos europeos con conocimientos especializados complementarios en la confluencia de la investigación del Zn3P2, la arquitectura de dispositivos y el análisis del ciclo de vida.
Objetivo
SOLARUP directly addresses the ever louder call for sustainable energy production. The proposed solar energy conversion technology will reduce dependence on critical raw materials and overcome efficiency thresholds to unlock the future of flexible photovoltaic (PV) solar cells for mass deployment in smart buildings, soft robotics, wearable electronics, and other consumer products. Our main innovations lie in nanoengineering zinc phosphide (Zn3P2) for use as an earth-abundant direct bandgap semiconductor absorber, and combined with a novel device architecture we target cell efficiency enhancements of up to 15%. Advanced manufacturing techniques such as nanoimprinting and metal-organic vapour-phase epitaxy will be explored to open industrially scalable routes to synthesise high quality Zn3P2 films. Moreover, our approach will allow reuse of the growth substrate, making sustainability another core element of SOLARUP’s radical vision. Optimisation of both the absorber structure and device architecture will be achieved through a holistic interplay of first-principles calculations and atomic scale structural and electronic characterisation. The main outcome of SOLARUP will be the demonstration of an ultrathin-film PV technology that is scalable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable, complete with a comprehensive life cycle analysis. In this sense our aim is to feed and inspire the development of Zn3P2-based solar cells towards a market ready technology. The project consortium unites six European teams with complementary expertise at the forefront of Zn3P2 research, device architecture, and life cycle analysis, who will approach the ambitious challenges from a flexible and interdisciplinary perspective. SOLARUP has clear potential to make science-based contributions to energy security and high-quality job creation, while also connecting to industry and boosting the trajectories of early-career team members.
Ámbito científico
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energysolar energy
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringmining and mineral processing
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringroboticssoft robotics
- natural sciencesphysical scienceselectromagnetism and electronicssemiconductivity
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsenergy conversion
Palabras clave
Programa(s)
Convocatoria de propuestas
HORIZON-EIC-2021-PATHFINDEROPEN-01
Consulte otros proyectos de esta convocatoriaRégimen de financiación
HORIZON-EIC - HORIZON EIC GrantsCoordinador
08193 Cerdanyola Del Valles
España