Screen-Printed Solar Cells Based on Nanocrystalline TiO₂ Films--Radiation Monitoring Devices, Inc., 44 Hunt Street, , Watertown, MA 02172-4624; (617) 926-1167
Dr. Micheel R. Squillante, Principal Investigator
Dr. Gerald Entine, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-98ER82649
Amount: $75,000

Photoelectrochemical dye-sensitized nanocrystalline solar cells offer the hope of meeting DOE's goals for 15% efficient photovoltaic electricity generation at less than $1.5 per peak watt. Production techniques applicable to large area, high volume TiO₂ films, polymer and glass frit sealant, together with low vapor pressure gel electrolyte, need to be developed and proven in order to move cells from the laboratory to the outdoor testing environment and commercialization. This project will employ screen-printing techniques to produce large area reproducible films of high surface area TiO₂. Screen-printing will also be applied to a polymer based glass sealant to improve cell reliability. Low cost and large area screen-printing techniques will be employed in a production environment along with a carefully selected TiO₂ and organic dye precursor mixture to allow for consistent dye-sensitized nanocrystalline film deposition. In addition, the screen-printing technique will be developed for the gel electrolyte and the polymer sealant. Finally, glass adhesion promoters and primers will be used in 1-10 cm² area cells for outdoor testing.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The proposed solar cell is simple, environmentally compatible and should find widespread use in commercial exploitation of renewable energy. The cost of power produced will be ~$0.6/watt, close to that of conventional fossil fuels.