Creating a coating to allow single-paned windows to act as efficient, expensive double-paned windows will save energy and increase buildings’ comfort levels at lower cost.
Faculty Mentor: Zachary Holman
Monolithic silicon module manufacturing
Developing a new low-cost, high-efficiency solar cell module configuration will transform the way power is generated on a terawatt scale.
Failure Analysis of Electrically Conductive Adhesive Interconnects in Photovoltaic Modules
Investigating the lifespan of electrical conductive adhesives in solar power module design could lead to more efficient and viable solar modules.
Silicon Nanoparticle Layers for Use as Glass Insulation
This project seeks to develop layers of silicon nano-particles for deposition onto glass to produce thermal insulation for residential and commercial buildings. Porous silicon nano-particles have been shown to refract ultraviolet wavelengths of sunlight at their front face and interface with glass. Currently, these layers lack durability, and spectrophotometry analysis shows excessive haze, issues which
Sunc-Voc Measurements of Semi-Transparent Perovskite Solar Cells
Understanding solar cell technology allows researchers to develop more efficient devices to collect the sun’s energy. This project focuses on quantifying the parasitic series resistance in perovskite solar cells as a function of the thickness of certain layers in the cell. Further knowledge of the properties of perovskite solar cells could lead to a more
Perovskite Surface Analysis
The primary objective of this research is to eliminate optical loses in perovskite silicon tandem solar cells. To understand the characteristics of the solar cell, the research required an accurate surface analysis of the thin films used. To do such, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was conducted using a scanning probe microscope. AFM uses a probe
Porous Silica Films as Thermally Insulating Coatings on Windows
The deposition of transparent, porous silica films as thermally insulating coatings on windows will help reduce energy costs in buildings and homes. 90% porous silica has been characterized for its thermal and optical properties showing surprisingly low conductivities compared to estimates. Film adhesion, stress, and transparency have shown to be major hurdles during the development
