Final Report Summary - UPCON (Ultra-Pure nanowire heterostructures and energy CONversion)
In this project we have investigated the use of GaAs nanowires, filamentary crystals with a diameter in the nanoscale, for next generation solar cells. The main finding of the project is that nanowires standing on a substrate are able to capture light in an area around them (absorption cross-section) that is more than one order of magnitude larger. The consequence is that in a solar cell device, one can separate the nanowires much further. Overall, this leads to a reduction in material consumption of 1000. This is an extremely important finding , as elements such as Ga and In are extremely scarce in the earth crust. Solar cells based on nanowires can contribute to sustainability.
This project has also contributed to the progress of the nanotechnology field with the following results:
1. Methodology to correlate optical and structural properties at the atomic scale along and on the same nanoscale object (nanowires)
2. Methodology to correlate electrical and doping incorporation properties at the sub-micron scale along and on the same nanoscale object (nanowires)
3. Methodology to evaluate carrier concentration and mobility on a single nanowire by non-contacting methods (measurement of the phonon-plasmon interaction by Raman specroscopy)
4. Understanding of the key aspects for the integration of III-V materials such as GaAs on silicon by self-assembly or in an organized manner.
5. Role of the photonic properties of nanowires in the design of solar cells both in traditional and non-traditional concepts and how non-traditional concepts can be achieved.
Overall this project shows how nanotechnology can contribute to the sustainability and deployment of solar cell technology in the next decades.
This project has also contributed to the progress of the nanotechnology field with the following results:
1. Methodology to correlate optical and structural properties at the atomic scale along and on the same nanoscale object (nanowires)
2. Methodology to correlate electrical and doping incorporation properties at the sub-micron scale along and on the same nanoscale object (nanowires)
3. Methodology to evaluate carrier concentration and mobility on a single nanowire by non-contacting methods (measurement of the phonon-plasmon interaction by Raman specroscopy)
4. Understanding of the key aspects for the integration of III-V materials such as GaAs on silicon by self-assembly or in an organized manner.
5. Role of the photonic properties of nanowires in the design of solar cells both in traditional and non-traditional concepts and how non-traditional concepts can be achieved.
Overall this project shows how nanotechnology can contribute to the sustainability and deployment of solar cell technology in the next decades.