Name: morphology control for fully printable organic&#8211;inorganic bulk-heterojunction solar cells based on a ti-alkoxide and semiconducting polymer
Uploaded: 2017-01-10T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Morphology Control for Fully Printable Organicâ€“Inorganic Bulk-heterojunction Solar Cells Based on a Ti-alkoxide and Semiconducting Polymer at JoVE.com

This work was partially supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number 25871029, the Nippon Sheet Glass Foundation for Materials Science and Engineering, and the Tochigi Industrial Promotion Center. The National Institute of Technology, Oyama College, also assisted with the publication costs of this article.

1. Preparation of Indium-tin-oxide (ITO) Glass for Solar Cell Fabrication
<ol>
	<li>Cut the ITO/glass substrate.
	<ol>
		<li>Using a glass cutter, cut the ITO/glass substrate (10 cm &#215; 10 cm) into pieces measuring approximately 2 cm &#215; 2 cm.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Chemically etch the ITO conductive layer.
	<ol>
		<li>Using a digital multimeter, check that the top of the ITO/glass piece has a conductive side.</li>
		<li>Place masking tape on both sides of the ITO/glass piece, leaving a central area of 2 mm &#21...

<ol>
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In order to utilize the molecule&#39;s bulkiness in this method, it is important to know the conditions for film formation by spin coating. First, the p-type and n-type semiconductors must be able to be dissolved in the solvents. When some material remains, it will become the large core of the domains in the photoactive layer. The use of an adequate commercial filter for individual solvents is recommended to remove the remaining material. Next, the precursor solution in which the molecules dissolve must be uniformly and ...

Organic photovoltaic devices are considered promising renewable energy sources due to their low manufacturing cost and light weight1-7. Because of these advantages, a large number of scientists have been immersed in this promising area. In the past decade, dye-sensitized, organic thin-film, and perovskite-sensitized solar cells have achieved significant progress in power conversion efficiency in this area8.
Specifically, organic thin-film solar cells and BHJ organic thin-film solar-cell technology are efficient and cost-effective solutions for the utilization of solar energy. Furthermore, the energy conversion efficiency has reached over 10% with the use of low-band-gap polymers as the electron donor and fullerene derivatives as the electron acceptor (Phenyl-C61-Butyric-Acid-Methyl Ester: [60]PCBM or Phenyl-C71-Butyric-Acid-Methyl Ester: [70]PCBM)9-11. Moreover, some researchers have already reported the importance of the BHJ structure in the photoactive layer, which is constructed with low-band-gap polymers and fullerene derivatives to obtain a high overall efficiency. However, fullerene derivatives are air-sensitive. Therefore, an air-stable electron-accepting material is required as an alternative. A few reports previously suggested new types of organic photovoltaic cells that used n-type semiconducting polymers or metal oxides as electron acceptors. These reports supported the development of air-stable, fullerene-free, organic thin-film solar cells12-15.
However, in contrast to fullerene systems or n-type semiconducting polymer systems, obtaining a satisfactory performance of the BHJ structure in the photoactive layer, which has charge separation and charge transfer abilities, is difficult in metal oxide systems16-17. Furthermore, fullerene derivatives and n-type semiconducting polymers have high solubility in many solvents. Therefore, it is easy to control the morphology of the photoactive layer by selecting an ink solution as the solvent, which is the precursor of the photoactive layer18-20. In contrast, in the case of metal alkoxide systems used in combination with an electron-donating polymer, both semiconductors are insoluble in almost all solvents. This is because metal alkoxides do not have a high solubility in the solvent. Therefore, the selectivity of solvents for morphology control is extremely low.
In this article, we report a method for controlling the morphology of the photoactive layer by using molecular bulkiness to fabricate printable and highly air-stable BHJ solar cells. We describe the importance of morphology control for the progress of fullerene-free BHJ solar cells.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="625">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Ti(IV) isopropoxide, 97%</td>
			<td style="width:103px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">205273</td>
			<td style="width:187px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Ti(IV) ethoxide</td>
			<td style="width:103px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">244759</td>
			<td>Technical grade</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Ti(IV) butoxide, 97%</td>
			<td style="width:103px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">244112</td>
			<td>Reagent grade</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Ti(IV) butoxide polymer</td>
			<td style="width:103px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">510718</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="63">
			<td height="63" style="height:63px;width:216px;">Poly[2,7-(9,9-dioctylfluorene)-alt-4,7-bis(thiophen-2-yl)benzo-2,1,3-thiadiazole] (PFO-DBT)</td>
			<td style="width:103px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">754013</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">[6,6]-phenyl-C61 butyric acid methyl ester ([60]PCBM) 99.5%</td>
			<td style="width:103px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">684449</td>
			<td>Research grade</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="84">
			<td height="84" style="height:84px;width:216px;">poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT-PSS)</td>
			<td style="width:103px;">Heraeus</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">Clevios S V3</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">1N Hydrochloric acid</td>
			<td style="width:103px;">Wako</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">083-01095</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Chlorobenzene 99.0%</td>
			<td style="width:103px;">Wako</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">032-07986</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Acetone 99.5%</td>
			<td style="width:103px;">Wako</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">016-00346</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Indium-tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass substrate</td>
			<td style="width:103px;">Geomatec</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">0002</td>
			<td>100&#215;100&#215;1.1t (mm)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Glass substrate</td>
			<td style="width:103px;">Matsunami Glass</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">S7213</td>
			<td>76&#215;26&#215;1.2t (mm)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Cotton tail&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:103px;">As one</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">1-8584-16</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Epoxy resin</td>
			<td style="width:103px;">Nichiban</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">AR-R30</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Plastic spatula</td>
			<td style="width:103px;">As one</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">2-3956-02</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Ultrasonic cleaner</td>
			<td style="width:103px;">As one</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">AS482</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Magnetic hot&#160; stirrer</td>
			<td style="width:103px;">As one</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">RHS-1DN</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Ceramic hotplate</td>
			<td style="width:103px;">As one</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">CHP-17DN</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Spin coater</td>
			<td style="width:103px;">Kyowariken</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">K-359 S1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Vacuum pump</td>
			<td style="width:103px;">ULVAC</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">DA-30S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="25">
			<td height="25" style="height:25px;width:216px;">UV-O3 cleaner</td>
			<td style="width:103px;">Filgen</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">UV253E</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Screen printer</td>
			<td style="width:103px;">Mitani Electronics</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">MEC-2400</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Ultrasonic Soldering system</td>
			<td style="width:103px;">Kuroda Techno</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">SUNBONDER USM-5</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="63">
			<td height="63" style="height:63px;width:216px;">Direct-current voltage and current source/monitor integrated system</td>
			<td style="width:103px;">San-Ei Electric</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">XES-40S1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Scanning electron microscope</td>
			<td style="width:103px;">JEOL Ltd.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">JSM-7800</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

morphology control for fully printable organic&#8211;inorganic bulk-heterojunction solar cells based on a ti-alkoxide and semiconducting polymer

The photoactive layer of a typical organic thin-film bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) solar cell commonly uses fullerene derivatives as the electron-accepting material. However, fullerene derivatives are air-sensitive; therefore, air-stable material is needed as an alternative. In the present study, we propose and describe the properties of Ti-alkoxide as an alternative electron-accepting material to fullerene derivatives to create highly air-stable BHJ solar cells. It is well-known that controlling the morphology in the photoactive layer, which is constructed with fullerene derivatives as the electron acceptor, is important for obtaining a high overall efficiency through the solvent method. The conventional solvent method is useful for high-solubility materials, such as fullerene derivatives. However, for Ti-alkoxides, the conventional solvent method is insufficient, because they only dissolve in specific solvents. Here, we demonstrate a new approach to morphology control that uses the molecular bulkiness of Ti-alkoxides without the conventional solvent method. That is, this method is one approach to obtain highly efficient, air-stable, organic-inorganic bulk-heterojunction solar cells.

We have presented a protocol for fabricating fully printable organic-inorganic BHJ solar cells, as well as a method for controlling the phase-separation structure. The solar-cell performance has been extensively investigated27-31 when Ti(IV) isopropoxide and ethoxide were used as electron-accepting materials (Figure 1). These solar cells exhibited a short-circuit current density (Jsc) that is approximately eight times higher than that of devices using the &#34;...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Morphology Control for Fully Printable Organicâ€“Inorganic Bulk-heterojunction Solar Cells Based on a Ti-alkoxide and Semiconducting Polymer at JoVE.com

Morphology Control for Fully Printable Organic&#8211;Inorganic Bulk-heterojunction Solar Cells Based on a Ti-alkoxide and Semiconducting Polymer

A method for fully printable, fullerene-free, highly air-stable, bulk-heterojunction solar cells based on Ti alkoxides as the electron acceptor and the electron-donating polymer fabrication is described here. Moreover, a method for controlling the morphology of the photoactive layer through the molecular bulkiness of the Ti-alkoxide units is reported.

The photoactive layer of a typical organic thin-film bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) solar cell commonly uses fullerene derivatives as the electron-accepting ...

The overall goal of this experiemnt is to fabricate fully-printable, fullerene-free bulk-heterojunction solar cells using bulky titanium alkoxides as morphology-controlling electron acceptors. This method can help answer key questions in the bulk heterojunction solar cell field about controlling the phase-separation structure of the photoactive layer of organic-inorganic hybrid bulk heterojunction solar cells. The main advantage of this technique is that it controls the phase-separation structure by hindering self-organization with bulky molecules without the solubility limitations of the conventional solvent method.The implications of this technique extend to obtaining higher overall solar cell efficiency because charged separations and charged transfer occur always in the active layer. So, this method can provide insight into the PFO-DVT electron donor system. It can also be operated with semiconducting polymers such as P3HT or PTV7.To begin the procedure, using a glass cutter, cut a 1.1-millimeter-thick ITO glass substrate into two-centimeter by two-centimeter squares. Identify the conductive side of each square with a digital multimeter. Cover the conductive side of each square with two strips of masking tape, leaving a two-millimeter by two-centimeter area exposed in the center.Place a few drops of one-molar hydrochloric acid onto the exposed, conductive area of each square. Allow the squares to sit for three minutes to etch a stripe in the conductive layer. Then, wipe off the hydrochloric acid with a cotton swap, and remove the masking tape.Place the squares in a glass container, and fill the container with deionized water. Place the container in an ultrasonic cleaner water bath. Run the ultrasonic cleaner at 42 kilohertz for 15 minutes.Then, clean the squares in acetone and isopropanol for 15 minutes each. Dry the squares under a stream of dry air. Then, clean the dry squares in an ultraviolet ozone cleaner for 30 minutes.To prepare the precursor solutions, dissolve 0.5 milligrams of PFO-DBT and 1.0 milligrams of the chosen titanium alkoxide in one milliliter of chlorobenzene. Wrap the vial in aluminum foil to exclude light. Heat the precursor mixture to 70 degrees Celsius while stirring at 700 RPM.Stir the mixture at that temperature for about 20 minutes. Once the solution appears clear, allow it to cool to room temperature. Dissolve 0.5 milligrams of PFO-DBT and 1.0 milligrams of 60-PCBM in one milliliter of chlorobenzene as a reference standard.Heat, stir, and cool the reference standard under the same conditions as the precursors. To prepare for a spin coating, pre-heat the precursor or reference solution on a hot plate at 70 degrees Celsius while stirring at 700 RPM for 10 minutes. Heat a square of etched ITO glass substrate on a ceramic hot plate at 70 degrees for five minutes.Then, place the warmed ITO glass square on the center of the spin coater vacuum stage. Reheat this square to 70 degrees with a heat gun, and then turn on the vacuum pump to fix the square in place. Draw 0.5 milliliters of warm precursor or reference solution into a one milliliter syringe, and immediately place the solution on the square.Then, run the spin coater at 2, 000 to 6, 000 RPM for 60 seconds in the air to create a 50-nanometer-thick film. Allow the surface to dry for 10 minutes at room temperature in the absence of light. Then, use a cotton swab, wetted with chlorobenzene, to remove excess photoactive material.Dry the surface again under the same conditions. To analyze the phase-separation structure, stop the preparation here, and use an optical or scanning electron microscope to obtain images of the photoactive layer. To print an organic electrode on a photoactive-material-coated ITO glass square, use a screen printer with a 50-micrometer-thick metal mask to print a five-millimeter by 20-millimeter rectangle of PDOT-PSS on the surface of the square.Allow the electrode to dry for 30 minutes in air at room temperature in the absence of light. Then, cut out a 1.5-centimeter by 2.5-centimeter piece of 1.2-millimeter-thick glass substrate with a diamond cutter. Spread epoxy resin on the glass piece with a plastic spatula.Place the glass epoxy-side down on the sample, leaving one side of the sample surface exposed. Clean the supporting electrodes with acetone and a cotton swab. Use a ultrasonic soldering iron to solder the supporting electrodes onto the remaining exposed surface of the square.Measure the current voltage characteristics of the cell with a solar simulator. Repeat this procedure for each titanium alkoxide to be tested and for PFO-DBT as a reference. Organic-inorganic bulk heterojunction solar cells were fabricated using four different titanium alkoxides as electron acceptors.The current voltage characteristics were significantly affected by the alkoxide properties, which was attributed to differences in the phase-separation structure of the photoactive layer. The short-circuit current densities of the cells using titanium four isopropoxide, ethoxide, and butoxide were much higher than that of the cell using a butoxide polymer. Scanning electron microscopy of the photoactive layers showed acceptable phase-separation structures for the titanium four ethoxide and isopropoxide cells.The titanium four butoxide cell showed somewhat worse phase separation, which was attributed to the bulkiness of the butoxide. The even-greater bulk of the titanium four butoxide polymer was prohibitive to optimal phase separation, resulting in poor charge generation in the photoactive layer. After each development, this technique paved the way for researchers in the field of organic-inorganic hybrid solar cells to explore the combinations of various materials for highly-efficient photoactive layers.

morphology-control-for-fully-printable-organicinorganic-bulk

Research

JoVE Journal

Engineering

Micropunching Lithography for Generating Micro- and Submicron-patterns on Polymer Substrates

Conducting polymers have attracted great attention since the discovery of high conductivity in doped polyacetylene in 19771. They offer the advantages of low weight, easy tailoring of properties and a wide spectrum of applications2,3. Due to sensitivity of conducting polymers to environmental conditions (e.g., air, oxygen, moisture, high temperature and chemical solutions), lithographic techniques present significant technical challenges when working with these materials4. For example, current photolithographic methods, such as ultra-violet (UV), are unsuitable for patterning the conducting polymers due to the involvement of wet and/or dry etching processes in these methods. In addition, current micro/nanosystems mainly have a planar form5,6. One layer of structures is built on the top surfaces of another layer of fabricated features. Multiple layers of these structures are stacked together to form numerous devices on a common substrate. The sidewall surfaces of the microstructures have not been used in constructing devices. On the other hand, sidewall patterns could be used, for example, to build 3-D circuits, modify fluidic channels and direct horizontal growth of nanowires and nanotubes.
A macropunching method has been applied in the manufacturing industry to create macropatterns in a sheet metal for over a hundred years. Motivated by this approach, we have developed a micropunching lithography method (MPL) to overcome the obstacles of patterning conducting polymers and generating sidewall patterns. Like the macropunching method, the MPL also includes two operations (Fig. 1): (i) cutting; and (ii) drawing. The "cutting" operation was applied to pattern three conducting polymers4, polypyrrole (PPy), Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophen)-poly(4-styrenesulphonate) (PEDOT) and polyaniline (PANI). It was also employed to create Al microstructures7. The fabricated microstructures of conducting polymers have been used as humidity8, chemical8, and glucose sensors9. Combined microstructures of Al and conducting polymers have been employed to fabricate capacitors and various heterojunctions9,10,11. The "cutting" operation was also applied to generate submicron-patterns, such as 100- and 500-nm-wide PPy lines as well as 100-nm-wide Au wires. The "drawing" operation was employed for two applications: (i) produce Au sidewall patterns on high density polyethylene (HDPE) channels which could be used for building 3D microsystems12,13,14, and (ii) fabricate polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) micropillars on HDPE substrates to increase the contact angle of the channel15.

A micropunching lithography approach is developed to generate micro- and submicron-patterns on top, sidewall and bottom surfaces of polymer substrates. It overcomes the obstacles of patterning conducting polymers and generating sidewall patterns. This method allows rapid fabrication of multiple features and is free of aggressive chemistry.

Conducting polymers have attracted great attention since the discovery of high conductivity in doped polyacetylene in 19771. They offer the advantages of ...

Integrating a Triplet-triplet Annihilation Up-conversion System to Enhance Dye-sensitized Solar Cell Response to Sub-bandgap Light

The poor response of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) to red and infrared light is a significant impediment to the realization of higher photocurrents and hence higher efficiencies. Photon up-conversion by way of triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA-UC) is an attractive technique for using these otherwise wasted low energy photons to produce photocurrent, while not interfering with the photoanodic performance in a deleterious manner. Further to this, TTA-UC has a number of features, distinct from other reported photon up-conversion technologies, which renders it particularly suitable for coupling with DSC technology. In this work, a proven high performance TTA-UC system, comprising a palladium porphyrin sensitizer and rubrene emitter, is combined with a high performance DSC (utilizing the organic dye D149) in an integrated device. The device shows an enhanced response to sub-bandgap light over the absorption range of the TTA-UC sub-unit resulting in the highest figure of merit for up-conversion assisted DSC performance to date.

An integrated device, incorporating a dye-sensitized solar cell and triplet-triplet annihilation up-conversion unit was produced, affording enhanced light harvesting, from a wider section of the solar spectrum. Under modest irradiation levels a significantly enhanced response to low energy photons was demonstrated, yielding a record figure of merit for dye-sensitized solar cells.

The poor response of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) to red and infrared light is a significant impediment to the realization of higher photocurrents ...

Printing Fabrication of Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells and In Situ Morphology Characterization

Polymer-based materials hold promise as low-cost, flexible efficient photovoltaic devices. Most laboratory efforts to achieve high performance devices have used devices prepared by spin coating, a process that is not amenable to large-scale fabrication. This mismatch in device fabrication makes it difficult to translate quantitative results obtained in the laboratory to the commercial level, making optimization difficult. Using a mini-slot die coater, this mismatch can be resolved by translating the commercial process to the laboratory and characterizing the structure formation in the active layer of the device in real time and in situ as films are coated onto a substrate. The evolution of the morphology was characterized under different conditions, allowing us to propose a mechanism by which the structures form and grow. This mini-slot die coater offers a simple, convenient, material efficient route by which the morphology in the active layer can be optimized under industrially relevant conditions. The goal of this protocol is to show experimental details of how a solar cell device is fabricated using a mini-slot die coater and technical details of running in situ structure characterization using the mini-slot die coater.

Printing Fabrication of Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells and In Situ Morphology Characterization

Here, we present a protocol to fabricate organic thin film solar cells using a mini-slot die coater and related in-line structure characterizations using synchrotron scattering techniques.

Polymer-based materials hold promise as low-cost, flexible efficient photovoltaic devices. Most laboratory efforts to achieve high performance devices ...

Monovalent Cation Doping of CH3NH3PbI3 for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells

Here, we demonstrate the incorporation of monovalent cation additives into CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite in order to adjust the optical, excitonic, and electrical properties. The possibility of doping was investigated by adding monovalent cation halides with similar ionic radii to Pb2+, including Cu+, Na+, and Ag+. A shift in the Fermi level and a remarkable decrease of sub-bandgap optical absorption, along with a lower energetic disorder in the perovskite, was achieved. An order-of-magnitude enhancement in the bulk hole mobility and a significant reduction of transport activation energy within an additive-based perovskite device was attained. The confluence of the aforementioned improved properties in the presence of these cations led to an enhancement in the photovoltaic parameters of the perovskite solar cell. An increase of 70 mV in open circuit voltage for AgI and a 2 mA/cm2 improvement in photocurrent density for NaI- and CuBr-based solar cells were achieved compared to the pristine device. Our work paves the way for further improvements in the optoelectronic quality of CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite and subsequent devices. It highlights a new avenue for investigations on the role of dopant impurities in crystallization and controls the electronic defect density in perovskite structures.

Monovalent Cation Doping of CH3NH3PbI3 for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells

Here, we present a protocol to adjust the properties of solution-processed CH3NH3PbI3 through the incorporation of monovalent cation additives in order to achieve highly efficient perovskite solar cells.

Here, we demonstrate the incorporation of monovalent cation additives into CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite in order to adjust the optical, excitonic, and electrical ...

In Situ Monitoring of the Accelerated Performance Degradation of Solar Cells and Modules: A Case Study for Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Solar Cells

The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of photovoltaic (PV) systems is determined by, among other factors, the PV module reliability. Better prediction of degradation mechanisms and prevention of module field failure can consequently decrease investment risks as well as increase the electricity yield. An improved knowledge level can for these reasons significantly decrease the total costs of PV electricity. 
In order to better understand and minimize the degradation of PV modules, the occurring degradation mechanisms and conditions should be identified. This should preferably happen under combined stresses, since modules in the field are also simultaneously exposed to multiple stress factors. Therefore, two 'Combined Stress test with in situ measurement' setups have been designed and constructed. These setups allow the simultaneous use of humidity, temperature, illumination, and electrical biases as independently controlled stress factors on solar cells and minimodules. The setups also allow real-time monitoring of the electrical properties of these samples. This protocol presents these setups and describes the experimental possibilities. Moreover, results obtained with these setups are also presented: various examples about the influence of both deposition and degradation conditions on the stability of thin film Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) as well as Cu2ZnSnSe4 (CZTS) solar cells are described. Results on the temperature dependency of CIGS solar cells are also presented.

In Situ Monitoring of the Accelerated Performance Degradation of Solar Cells and Modules: A Case Study for CuIn,GaSe2 Solar Cells

Two &#39;Combined Stress test with in situ measurement&#39; setups, which allow real-time monitoring of accelerated degradation of solar cells and modules, were designed and constructed. These setups allow the simultaneous use of humidity, temperature, electrical biases, and illumination as independently controlled stress factors. The setups and various experiments executed are presented.

The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of photovoltaic (PV) systems is determined by, among other factors, the PV module reliability. Better prediction ...

Indoor Experimental Assessment of the Efficiency and Irradiance Spot of the Achromatic Doublet on Glass (ADG) Fresnel Lens for Concentrating Photovoltaics

We present a method to characterize achromatic Fresnel lenses for photovoltaic applications. The achromatic doublet on glass (ADG) Fresnel lens is composed of two materials, a plastic and an elastomer, whose dispersion characteristics (refractive index variation with wavelength) are different. We first designed the lens geometry and then used ray-tracing simulation, based on the Monte Carlo method, to analyze its performance from the point of view of both optical efficiency and the maximum attainable concentration. Afterwards, ADG Fresnel lens prototypes were manufactured using a simple and reliable method. It consists of a prior injection of plastic parts and a consecutive lamination, together with the elastomer and a glass substrate to fabricate the parquet of ADG Fresnel lenses. The accuracy of the manufactured lens profile is examined using an optical microscope while its optical performance is evaluated using a solar simulator for concentrator photovoltaic systems. The simulator is composed of a xenon flash lamp whose emitted light is reflected by a parabolic mirror. The collimated light has a spectral distribution and an angular aperture similar to the real Sun. We were able to assess the optical performance of the ADG Fresnel lenses by taking photographs of the irradiance spot cast by the lens using a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera and measuring the photocurrent generated by several types of multi junction (MJ) solar cells, which have been previously characterized at a solar simulator for concentrator solar cells. These measurements have demonstrated the achromatic behavior of ADG Fresnel lenses and, as a consequence, the suitability of the modelling and manufacturing methods.

Indoor Experimental Assessment of the Efficiency and Irradiance Spot of the Achromatic Doublet on Glass ADG Fresnel Lens for Concentrating Photovoltaics

The achromatic doublet on glass (ADG) Fresnel lens makes use of two materials with differing dispersion to reduce chromatic aberration and increase attainable concentration. In this paper, a protocol for the complete characterization of the ADG Fresnel lens is presented.

We present a method to characterize achromatic Fresnel lenses for photovoltaic applications. The achromatic doublet on glass (ADG) Fresnel lens is ...

The Modular Design and Production of an Intelligent Robot Based on a Closed-Loop Control Strategy

Intelligent robots are part of a new generation of robots that are able to sense the surrounding environment, plan their own actions and eventually reach their targets. In recent years, reliance upon robots in both daily life and industry has increased. The protocol proposed in this paper describes the design and production of a handling robot with an intelligent search algorithm and an autonomous identification function.
First, the various working modules are mechanically assembled to complete the construction of the work platform and the installation of the robotic manipulator. Then, we design a closed-loop control system and a four-quadrant motor control strategy, with the aid of debugging software, as well as set steering gear identity (ID), baud rate and other working parameters to ensure that the robot achieves the desired dynamic performance and low energy consumption. Next, we debug the sensor to achieve multi-sensor fusion to accurately acquire environmental information. Finally, we implement the relevant algorithm, which can recognize the success of the robot&#39;s function for a given application.
The advantage of this approach is its reliability and flexibility, as the users can develop a variety of hardware construction programs and utilize the comprehensive debugger to implement an intelligent control strategy. This allows users to set personalized requirements based on their needs with high efficiency and robustness.

We present a protocol on modular design and production of intelligent robots to help scientific and technical workers design intelligent robots with special production tasks based on personal needs and individualized design.

Intelligent robots are part of a new generation of robots that are able to sense the surrounding environment, plan their own actions and eventually reach ...

Installation Method to Enhance Quality Control for Fiber Reinforced Polymer Spike Anchors

Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) anchors are a promising way to enhance the performance of externally-bonded FRPs applied to existing structures, as they can delay or even prevent debonding failure. However, a major concern faced by designers is the premature failure of the anchors due to stress concentration. Poor installation quality and preparation of the clearance holes can result in stress concentration that provokes this premature failure. This paper deals with an installation method that aims to reduce the impact of the stress concentration and to provide a proper quality control of the preparation of the drill hole. The method involves three parts: the drilling and cleaning of the holes, the smoothing of the hole edges with a customized drill bit, and the installation of the anchor itself, including the impregnation of the anchor dowel and its insertion. Anchor fans (the free length of the spikes) are then bonded to the external FRP reinforcement. For the end anchorage, and in the case of reinforcements with multiple plies, it is recommended that the anchor fan be inserted between two plies to assist the stress-transfer mechanism. 
The proposed procedure is complemented with a design approach for spike anchors, based on an extensive database. It is proposed that the design follow a number of steps, namely: selection of the anchor diameter and subsequent tensile strength of the connector (that is to say, the anchor before fanning out the free end), evaluation of the reduction in the tensile strength due to bending, provision of enough embedment to prevent slippage failure, and consideration of the number and spacing of anchors for a given reinforcement. In this sense, it should be noted that further research is needed in order to obtain a general expression for the contribution of spike anchors to overall bond strength of FRP reinforcements.

This manuscript presents a method for controlling the quality of installation for spike anchors designed to delay delamination of externally bonded fiber reinforced polymers. The protocol includes the preparation of the drill hole and the insertion process. The most influential parameters on the efficiency of the anchors are discussed.

Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) anchors are a promising way to enhance the performance of externally-bonded FRPs applied to existing structures, as they ...

O-cresol Concentration Online Measurement Based On Near Infrared Spectroscopy Via Partial Least Square Regression

Unlike macroscopic process variables, near-infrared spectroscopy provides process information at the molecular level and can significantly improve the prediction of the components in industrial processes. The ability to record spectra for solid and liquid samples without any pretreatment is advantageous and the method is widely used. However, the disadvantages of analyzing high-dimensional near-infrared spectral data include information redundancy and multicollinearity of the spectral data. Thus, we propose to use partial least squares regression method, which has traditionally been used to reduce the data dimensionality and eliminate the collinearity between the original features. We implement the method for predicting the o-cresol concentration during the production of polyphenylene ether. The proposed approach offers the following advantages over component regression prediction methods: 1) partial least squares regression solves the multicollinearity problem of the independent variables and effectively avoids overfitting, which occurs in a regression analysis due to the high correlation between the independent variables; 2) the use of the near-infrared spectra results in high accuracy because it is a non-destructive and non-polluting method to obtain information at microscopic and molecular scales.

The protocol describes a method of predicting o-cresol concentration during the production of polyphenylene ether using near-infrared spectroscopy and partial least squares regression. To describe the process more clearly and completely, an example of predicting the o-cresol concentration during the production of polyphenylene is used to clarify the steps.

Unlike macroscopic process variables, near-infrared spectroscopy provides process information at the molecular level and can significantly improve the ...

In Situ Surface Temperature Measurement in a Conveyor Belt Furnace via Inline Infrared Thermography

Measuring the surface temperature of objects that are processed in conveyor belt furnaces is an important tool in process control and quality assurance. Currently, the surface temperature of objects processed in conveyor belt furnaces is typically measured via thermocouples. However, infrared (IR) thermography presents multiple advantages compared to thermocouple measurements, as it is a contactless, real-time, and spatially resolved method. Here, as a representative proof-of-concept example, an inline thermography system is successfully installed into an IR lamp powered solar firing furnace, which is used for the contact firing process of industrial Si solar cells. This protocol describes how to install an IR camera into a conveyor belt furnace, conduct a customer correction of a factory calibrated IR camera, and perform the evaluation of spatial surface temperature distribution on a target object.

This protocol describes how to install an infrared camera into a conveyor belt furnace, conduct a customer correction of a factory calibrated IR camera, and evaluate the spatial surface temperature distribution of an object of interest. The example objects are industrial silicon solar cells.

Measuring the surface temperature of objects that are processed in conveyor belt furnaces is an important tool in process control and quality assurance. ...