Keeling Curve

Project Summary / Description:

Developing novel methods to harness green energy and integrating distributed green energy resources, into the Smart Grid is one of the important ways in which a cleaner and greener environment can be achieved. 

The over-arching goal of our project is to develop transparent thin film polymer-based photovoltaic solar cells that could be applied over windows to generate electricity using outdoor/indoor light while still maintaining their transparency. As less expensive, less hardware-intensive, less complex replacements for silicon-based solar cells, they could significantly increase distributed generation servicing partial loads for individual households, reducing overall energy demand while requiring integration into the grid. 

Various polymer-based solar cell architectures have been explored recently. However, most of the current polymer-based solar cells require active layers with thicknesses of at least 100 nm in order to efficiently absorb light to generate electricity. This makes conventional polymer-based solar cells opaque. 

We will scale-up our recent breakthrough where we used the Breath Figure Technique (BFT) to fabricate thin film honeycomb structures made from polymer-fullerene blends which exhibited high optical transparency and good photovoltaic current generation capability in the laboratory scale. These honeycomb networks of polymer-fullerene blends were made possible by BFT which exploits the property of water droplets to condense onto cold surfaces in hexagonal arrays known as breath figures. As the solvent evaporates, the void space created by water droplets allows formation of a regularly packed honeycomb structure driven by capillary forces. After complete evaporation of the solvent, a highly regular honeycomb structure is formed.

Best Estimate of GHG Avoidance/Reduction of This Project (Tonnes CO2 Equivalent/Year):

Mission Statement:

Overall, Stony Brook University has a five-part mission: 

(i) to provide comprehensive undergraduate, graduate, and professional education of the highest quality; 

(ii) to carry out research and intellectual endeavors of the highest international standards that advance knowledge and have immediate or long-range practical significance; 

(iii) to provide leadership for economic growth, technology, and culture for neighboring communities and the wider geographic region; 

(iv) to provide state-of-the-art innovative health care, while serving as a resource to a regional health care network and to the traditionally underserved; and 

(v) to fulfill these objectives while celebrating diversity and positioning the University in the global community.

The Materials Science and Chemical Engineering (MSCE) Department at Stony Brook University is committed towards applying foundational principles from the fields of Materials Science and Engineering and Chemical and Molecular Engineering in an interdisciplinary setting to advance the frontiers of knowledge and to address contemporary grand challenges in the energy, environment, and healthcare sectors. While drawing upon the traditional strengths of both Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, the MSCE department is committed towards educating and training the next generation of well-rounded, forward-looking cohort of scientists and engineers, with disciplinary strengths and abilities to tackle cross-disciplinary challenges.

Dr. Venkatesh is also affiliated with the Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center (AERTC). The Advanced Energy Center (AERTC) is located in the Research & Development Park at Stony Brook University and is a true partnership of academic institutions, research institutions, energy providers and industrial corporations. The Center's mission is innovative energy research, education and technology deployment with a focus on efficiency, conservation, renewable energy and nanotechnology applications for new and novel sources of energy.

Link: Facebook:

http://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/aertc/research/index.php http://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/aertc//research/AERTC%20Projects%202016.pdf