HIGH EFFICIENCY PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS

摘要

Novel structures of photovoltaic cells (also called as solar cells) are provided. The cells are based on nanoparticles or nanometer-scaled wires, tubes, and/or rods, which are made of electrical materials covering semiconductors, insulators, and also metallic in structure. These photovoltaic cells have large power generation capability per unit physical area over the conventional cells. These cells will have enormous applications such as in space, commercial, residential and industrial applications.

主权项

1. A photovoltaic cell comprising:
a substrate with three-dimensional protrusions, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the three-dimensional protrusions include cylindrical, conical, trapezoidal, pyramidal, or a combination thereof; a first electrode disposed on the substrate; an absorption layer disposed on the first electrode; and a second electrode disposed on the absorption layer,
wherein the absorption layer comprises:
a layer of a plurality of nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles are semiconductor of p- or n-type; anda layer of electrical material disposed upon the layer of the plurality of nanoparticles and electrically connected to the second electrode, wherein the layer of electrical material is a semiconductor of the opposite conductivity type as the nanoparticles.