Development of Light-Harvesting Structures for Photovoltaic Applications

This project aims to develop new light-harvesting materials for improving solar energy collection, particularly for indoor photovoltaic applications such as improving the energy and crop efficiencies of greenhouses. The research focuses on fabricating thin polymer films containing dye mixtures and attaching dyes to functionalized microspheres to enhance exciton energy transfer. Achieving efficient exciton energy transfer is important to overcome current limitations in LSC efficiencies, as it enables better light absorption and redirection of the emitted light towards photovoltaic cells. These structures will be integrated into Luminescent Solar Concentrators (LSCs), which capture and direct light onto solar panels to improve efficiency. The project will involve spin coating to create thin films, 3D printing for device fabrication, and advanced optical and electrical characterization techniques to evaluate performance. By the end of the internship, the student will have designed, fabricated, and tested light-harvesting structures, contributing to the development of more efficient photovoltaic modules.