| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/F056397/1 |
| Title: |
High-efficiency Block Copolymer Solar Cells: A Scaleable Prototype for Low Cost Energy Generation |
| Principal Investigator: |
Turner, Professor ML |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Chemistry |
| Organisation: |
University of Manchester, The |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research |
| Starts: |
01 May 2008 |
Ends: |
30 April 2011 |
Value (£): |
496,776
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Electronic Devices & Subsys. |
Materials Characterisation |
| Materials Processing |
Materials Synthesis & Growth |
| Solar Technology |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
| Panel Date | Panel Name | Outcome |
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25 Feb 2008
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Nanotechnology Grand Challenges: Energy
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Announced
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Widespread implementation of photovoltaic electricity to meet changing energy demands requires a step-change in the cost of photovoltaic power. This proposal assembles a consortium of chemists, physicists and materials scientists from Imperial College London and the universities of Manchester, Sheffield and Durham to produce new prototype polymer solar cells that have high power conversion efficiencies and could be mass produced cost effectively. We propose new polymer solar cell designs that integrate flexibility with inexpensive materials and solution based processing. In one approach, block copolymers are used to direct formation of nanostructured thin films to provide high efficiency polymer solar cells. In a second approach, block copolymers will be used to direct crystallisation within nanostructured films. Independent optimisation of the optical and electronic properties, together with theoretical modelling input, will provide design rules for maximising power conversion efficiency. The project will establish strategies for scaling up the device designs which have the highest efficiencies. Our objective is to construct affordable and scalable polymer solar cells that have an energy conversion efficiency of at least 7%.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
http://www.omec.org.uk |
| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.man.ac.uk |