Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/T26559/01
Title:	The SUPERGEN Excitonic Solar Cells Consortium
Principal Investigator:	Peter, Professor LM
Other Investigators:	Durrant, Professor J De Mello, Professor JC Friend, Professor Sir R Greenham, Professor N Robertson, Professor N Yellowlees, Professor L Jones, Professor TS Bradley, Professor DD Nelson, Professor J
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:	Cambridge Display Technology Ltd (CDT)
Department:	Chemistry
Organisation:	University of Bath
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 April 2005	Ends:	31 March 2009	Value (£):	1,095,676
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Electrochemical Science & Eng. Materials Synthesis & Growth Solar Technology
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Energy
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
Conventional solar cells are based on light absorption be semiconductors such as silicon. Fabrication of these cells usually involves high temperature routes, which is wasteful in terms of energy. A new class of solar cells based on organic materials is exciting increasing interest because they can be processed by the same low temperature techniques that are used to prepare flexible organic light emitting diodes, for example. The devices are called excitonic solar cells because light absorption creates electronically excited molecular states (excitons) that can break up to form electrons and holes at interfaces. The processes og light absorption and electrical power generatiuon in these cells have much in common with photosynthesis. So far the cells lag behind their older conventional counterparts, but the potential for development and optimisation is enormous since a wide range of organic materials with desired properties can be obtained by targeted chemical synthesis. This proposal brings together four leading research groups in a concerted effort to develop existing organic solar cells and to explore new types. The consortium combines expertise in the key areas of materials synthesis (dyes, organic polymers, quantum dots), cell fabrication and device characterisatioin, and the research programme will explore several promising avenues.
Key Findings
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Potential use in non-academic contexts
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Further Information:
Organisation Website:	http://www.bath.ac.uk