Electronics
Applications in
Nanotechnology
Copper Oxide Solar Cells
Updated September 2011
Image by HighPoint Learning
Updated September 2011
Image by HighPoint Learning
Updated September 2011
Image by HighPoint Learning
Updated September 2011
Image by HighPoint Learning
Updated September 2011
Image by HighPoint Learning
Updated September 2011
Image by HighPoint Learning
Updated September 2011
Image by HighPoint Learning
Updated September 2011
Image by HighPoint Learning
Updated September 2011
• Calculate and record the Power
Power(Watts) = Voltage(Volts) x Current(Amps)
• Measure the Surface Area of the copper oxide
Area
(meter2)
= Length(meter) x Width(meter)
Updated September 2011
• Power of solar cell =______________ W
• Surface Area of the copper oxide = ______m2
• Sun’s Energy = 1000 W/m2
• Calculate the Efficiency of the cell
%Efficiency =
Power(watts)
Sun’s Energy(Watts/meter2) x Surface Area(meter2)
• Efficiency = _______________%
Updated September 2011
Image courtesy National Renewable Engergy Laboratories
Updated September 2011
• Compare the Surface Areas of these cells
Images by HighPoint Learning
r =1.25
h=1.5
3
3
A= length x width = 9
Updated September 2011
3
3
A= length x width + 2πrh = 20.78
Image by HighPoint Learning
r =.125
h=1.5
3
3
Updated September 2011
• Although the
Efficiency should
stay the same,
increasing the
Surface Area is a
valid strategy to make
an inefficient cell
usable.
A= length x width + 2πrh
x64 = 84.4
%Efficiency = Power(watts) ÷ Sun’s Energy(Watts/meter2) x Surface Area(meter2)
Image by HighPoint Learning
0.9W
Updated September 2011
2.078W
8.44W
cc by Kristian Molhave
Updated September 2011
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells
cc by M.R. Jones
Updated September 2011
cc by Ronald Sastrawan
• How is nanotechnology being used in
solar applications?
• What are some of the new materials in
solar cells?
• What are some new strategies being used
in solar cells?
Updated September 2011
This module is one of a series designed to introduce faculty and high school
students to the basic concepts of nanotechnology. Each module includes a
PowerPoint presentation, discussion questions, and hands-on activities, when
applicable.
The series was funded in part by:
The National Science Foundation
Grant DUE-0702976
and the
Oklahoma Nanotechnology Education Initiative
Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in the
material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the
National Science Foundation or the Oklahoma Nanotechnology Education Initiative.
Updated September 2011
Image Credits
Jones, M.R. (Designer). Dye Sensitized Solar Cell Scheme.png [Digital Diagram]. Wikimedia Commons
(commons.wikimedia.org)
Molhave, Kristian (Professor) and Martinsson, Thomas (Designer), Epitaxial Nanowire Heterostructures SEM
image.jpg [Scanning Electron Microscope image], United Kingdom, Wikimedia Commons
(commons.wikimedia.org)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (Designer). Carbon Nanotubes.jpg [Digital Image]. United States.
Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org)
Sastrawan, Ronald. (Designer). Dye.sensitized.solar.cells.jpg [Digital Image]. Wikimedia Commons
(commons.wikimedia.org)
Updated September 2011
References
Berger, Michael. (2010). Improved design for dye-sensitized solar cells includes quantum dot antennas. NanoWerk.
Retrieved from http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=15000.php
Grätzel, Michael. (2003). Dye-sensitized solar cells. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology C: Photochemistry
Reviews. Issue 4. Pages 145–153.
Williams, Linda and Dr. Wade Adams. (2007). Nanotechnology Demystified. [Kindle Version] doi: 10.1036/0071460233
Wilson, Michael, Kanangara, Kamali, Smith, Geoff, Simmons, Michelle, & Raguse, Burkhard. (2004). Nanotechnology:
Basic Science and Emerging Technologies. [Kindle Edition] Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com
Updated September 2011