Nano-Inspired Broadband Photovoltaics Sheets

One of the major challenges currently facing the US defense forces is the requirement to meet the electricity demands of individual soldiers in a highly mobile forward operating base. In this Phase I program, we propose to develop and deliver a lightweight, high efficiency, flexible solar sheet for mobile solar applications for Army unmounted soldiers. Based on highly efficient GaAs III-V materials, the flexible solar cells will be fabricated using MicroLinks proprietary epitaxial lift-off (ELO) technology. The performance of ELO solar cells will be further improved through the integration of innovative nano-technology-based optically functional textures within the cell structure. Nano-texturing will be incorporated within thin-film material layers typically employed as anti-reflection (AR) coatings to ensure compatibility with existing fabrication processes. This work will be performed in collaboration with TelAztec LLC. During the Phase I program, detailed theoretical modeling of the nano-patterned absorber will be performed for various nano-pattern types and material choices, and the resultant solar cell performance will be analyzed. The Phase I program will result in the demonstration of a scalable, lightweight (25%, AM1.5G), flexible solar sheet of dimensions 13 cm x 13 cm for Army unmounted soldier mobile power generation.