Dinesh_TS(1)

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING
Subject: Technical seminar-21PC0EE20
Title: Infrared Plastic Solar Cell

Presented By:
G. Dinesh 22WJ5A0225
Internal Guide Co-Ordinator Head Of The Department

Dr. P. Parthasaradhy Mr. CH. Srisailam Dr. Y. V. Balarama
Joint Director, GNITC Assistant Professor, GNITC Krishna Rao, HOD, GNITC
INFRARED PLASTIC
SOLAR CELL
Guided By: Presented By:

DR. P. PARTHSARADHY G. DINESH
Joint Director, GNITC
22WJ5A0225
Contents:
1. Introduction
2. Comparison
3. Nano Technology
4. Infrared Plastic Solar Cell
5. Working Of Plastic Solar Cell
6. Improvements
7. Applications
8. Case Studies
9. Advantages
10. Limitations
11. Conclusion
INTRODUCTION:
• Designed to capture light in the infrared spectrum, complementing traditional
solar cells that focus on visible light.
• Their construction allows for flexibility and lightweight properties, enabling
integration into various applications.
• Offers a promising alternative in the growing demand for sustainable energy
solutions.
• Suitable for use in textiles, portable devices, and building materials, expanding
the potential for solar energy capture.
Comparison:
Conventional Solar Cells Infrared Plastic Solar Cells
Typically made from silicon (c-Si) or Made from organic materials like
other inorganic materials like CdTe or polymers or small molecules
CIGS
Visible light (300-800 nm) Infrared radiation (700-1400 nm)
Higher production costs due to material Lower production costs due to cheaper
and manufacturing expenses materials and simpler manufacturing
Heavier due to rigid structure Lighter due to flexible structure
Limited flexibility Highly flexible

NANOTECHNOLOGY:
• Nanotechnology is about building things atom by atom, molecule by
molecule.
• Nanotechnology is billionth of a matter.
• It is defined as the study of functional structures with dimensions in the range
of 1-100 nanometer.
Why Nanotechnology in solar cell
• Their efficiency is very poor in cloudy days.

• To overcome above problems, A new type of solar cell embedded with
NANOTECHNOLOGY is developed, which is INFRARED PLASTIC
SOLAR CELL.
Division of sunlight
INFRARED PLASTIC SOLAR
CELL:
• A plastic solar cell can turn

the suns power into electric
energy even on a cloudy day.
• It uses specially designed nano particles
called quantum dots.
QUANTUM DOT
• The quantum dots with a polymer will be
Blended to make the plastic that can detect
energy in the infrared.
QUANTUM DOT LAYER

INFRARED PLASTIC SOLAR CELL
• This plastic material can harness

the sun’s invisible infrared rays.
• These plastic solar cells can be

taken everywhere.
• It reduces the need to PLUG IN

for power.
WORKING OF PLASTIC SOLAR CELL
• The solar cell created is
actually a hybrid, comprised
of tiny nanorods dispersed in
an organic polymer or plastic.
• It requires semiconductor
nanorods (7 nm by 60nm).
• The heart of a solar cell is

a 200-nm-thick film.
• It consists of cadmium selenide (CdSe) nanorods and blended with

P3HT(poly-3hexylthiophene).
• A layer of 200 nanometers thick is
sandwiched between electrodes.
• It can produce 0.7V at present
• An aluminium coating acting as the back electrode completes

the device.
• The nanorods act like wires.
• When they absorb light of a specific wavelength, they generate an electron and
an electron hole vacancy in the crystal, which moves around just like an
electron.
• The electron travels the length of the rod until it is collected by aluminium
electrode.
• The hole is transferred to the plastic, which is known as a hole-carrier, and
conveyed to the electrode, creating a current.
IMPROVEMENTS:
• Better light collection and concentration employed in the solar cells.

• In plastic cells nano rods are closely packed and transfer their
electrons more directly to the electrolyte.
• They also hope to tune the nanorods to absorb different colors to span
the spectrum of sunlight. An eventual solar cell has three layers each
made of nanorods that absorb at different wavelength
APPLICATIONS:
 Telecommunication systems:
 Radio transceivers on mountain tops, or telephone boxes in the country

can often be solar powered.
 Hydrogen powered car:
 Hydrogen car painted with the film that could convert solar energy into
electricity to continuously recharge the car’s battery
Case Studies:
1. University of Michigan – Organic Photovoltaics
Researchers at the University of Michigan developed a type of organic
photovoltaic (OPV) that specifically targets infrared light. The project aimed to
create materials that enhance the absorption of infrared wavelengths, which
traditional silicon-based solar cells often miss.
• Key Findings: The team used novel organic semiconductors that exhibit
strong absorption in the infrared spectrum. By optimizing the molecular
structure of these materials, they improved energy conversion efficiency
while maintaining flexibility.
• Impact: This research opens the door for new applications in solar energy
harvesting, particularly in areas where traditional solar panels are less
effective. The results suggest that integrating these materials could
significantly increase the overall energy capture of hybrid solar systems.
2. Solar Fabrics Project – Wearable Technology
This project focused on integrating infrared plastic solar cells into textiles
for use in wearable technology. The aim was to create fabrics that could generate
electricity to power small devices, such as sensors or LED lights.
• Implementation: Researchers embedded flexible infrared solar cells into
fabrics, testing different configurations for comfort, durability, and efficiency.
They explored various organic materials to ensure the solar cells could
withstand washing and regular wear.
• Outcome: The project demonstrated that textiles can be functional as energy
sources without sacrificing comfort or aesthetics. This advancement could
revolutionize wearable tech by providing an on-the-go energy solution for
devices like smartphones, fitness trackers, and more.
3. ETH Zurich – Transparent Solar Cells
At ETH Zurich, researchers developed a transparent organic solar cell that
can efficiently convert both visible and infrared light into electricity. This project
aimed to create a solar cell that could be integrated into windows and other
transparent surfaces.
• Design Innovations: The team focused on engineering materials that
maintain high transparency while still capturing solar energy. They achieved
this by adjusting the thickness and composition of the active layer of the
solar cell.
• Significance: This technology enables buildings to generate energy without
compromising natural light, potentially transforming urban architecture. If
widely adopted, transparent solar cells could contribute significantly to
energy-efficient buildings and help reduce reliance on conventional energy
sources.
ADVANTAGES:
1. Flexibility: Can be integrated into a variety of surfaces, including textiles and
curved structures.
2. Lightweight: Significantly lighter than traditional solar panels, making them
easier to install and transport.
3. Cost-Effective Production: Potential for lower manufacturing costs due to
simpler processes and materials.
4. Broad Applications: Suitable for unconventional uses, such as wearable
technology, portable devices, and building-integrated photovoltaics.
5. Lower Environmental Impact: Often made from organic materials that can be
more environmentally friendly than conventional materials.
6. Ability to Capture Infrared Light: Designed to utilize wavelengths of light
that traditional silicon cells may not effectively absorb.
LIMITATIONS:
1. Lower Efficiency: Generally less efficient than conventional solar cells, limiting
energy conversion rates.
2. Shorter Lifespan: May have a reduced lifespan and durability compared to
traditional solar technologies.
3. Limited Commercial Availability: Still in the early stages of development and not
as widely available or accepted in the market.
4. Temperature Sensitivity: Performance can be affected by temperature changes,
which may impact efficiency.
5. Degradation Over Time: Organic materials may degrade faster under certain
environmental conditions, reducing long-term performance.
COMPANIES FOCUSSED:
• Several companies are exploring infrared plastic solar cells, a cutting-edge
technology leveraging nanotechnology and polymers to harness infrared light.
Notable players include:
1. UCLA and UC Riverside are leading research in developing transparent,
infrared-absorbing polymer cells.
2. Solarmer Energy is a company dedicated to commercializing plastic solar
cells, focusing on lightweight, flexible solar panels.
3. Heliatek is innovating organic solar cells, which can work in low-light
conditions like infrared-based technology
CONCLUSION:
• Infrared plastic solar cells represent an exciting advancement in solar technology,
leveraging organic materials to capture energy from the infrared spectrum.
• While they currently exhibit lower efficiency compared to conventional solar
cells, their flexibility, lightweight nature, and potential for diverse applications
make them a promising solution for integrating solar power into everyday items
and surfaces.
• As research continues to enhance their efficiency and durability, infrared plastic
solar cells could play a vital role in expanding solar energy's accessibility and
versatility, paving the way for innovative, eco-friendly energy solutions in the
future.

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DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

Subject: Technical seminar-21PC0EE20

Title: Infrared Plastic Solar Cell

Internal Guide Co-Ordinator Head Of The Department

Guided By: Presented By:

Limited flexibility Highly flexible

• Their efficiency is very poor in cloudy days.

• A plastic solar cell can turn

QUANTUM DOT LAYER

• This plastic material can harness

• These plastic solar cells can be

• It reduces the need to PLUG IN

• The heart of a solar cell is

• It consists of cadmium selenide (CdSe) nanorods and blended with

• It can produce 0.7V at present

• An aluminium coating acting as the back electrode completes

• Better light collection and concentration employed in the solar cells.

 Radio transceivers on mountain tops, or telephone boxes in the country

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