High-tech research for better solar cells: Does the sun also shine in our labs?

Kontext / Contexte

This workshop will be conducted in English. The workshop will outline different solar cell technologies, their applications and characterization. The following topics will be discussed: renewable and clean energies, semiconductors, photovoltaics, solid state physics (crystals), optics, I-V characteristics, absorption/emission, the concept of a bandgap, photoelectric effect.

Zielsetzung / Objectifs

Knowledge:
Workshop participants will learn about
- operating principles of a solar cell
- optical and electrical properties of a solar cell and measurements thereof
- different solar cell technologies and their applications
- how to apply these notions in a classroom setting
- information on how to visit the Scienteens Lab with your class.

The participants will learn how to present the topic in a classroom setting and conduct a project-oriented class, outlining advantages and disadvantages of certain approaches.

Inhalt / Contenu

- We will answer the questions: What is the importance of photovoltaics for renewable energies? How does a solar cell work? What different kinds of solar cell technologies do we have? What are the applications thereof? What are current research directions and open questions in solar cell research?
- We will create a DIY dye-sensitized solar cell and measure it
- current-voltage (I-V) measurements with a sun-simulator
- common mechanisms of solar cells/LEDs
- discussion about photovoltaics and renewable energies.

Arbeitsformen / Approche méthodologique

1. Short introduction to the topic
2. Hands-on Workshop:
- Current-voltage (I-V) measurements with a sun simulator to determine solar cell efficiency
- create a dye-sensitized solar cell and compare it to a silicon-based solar cell
- analyze the absorption of a LED and draw similarities to operating principles of a solar cell
3. Discussion of results and conclusions.

Referent, Referentin / Formateur, formatrice

Una Karahasanovic, Dr., Education programme specialist, Scienteens Lab, University of Luxembourg