• Energy Research
• OA Publications Mandate: No close

Low-cost atmospheric deposition of semiconductor absorbance layers for application in photovoltaic solar cells that do not require expensive instrumentation continue to attract interest of researchers and engineers alike. This project is based on our recent discovery of combinations of solvents capable of dissolving various inorganic salts, which were successfully applied in the fabrication of CIGS PV devices. However, the nature of solutes remains unclear. Therefore this project is dedicated to fill this gap and to carry out investigation of the solutions of metal chalcogenides relevant to the formation of semiconductor thin films. Apart from chalcogenides, pure metals and metal oxides will be also investigated. We aim to establish exact chemical composition of the dominating species of metal complexes in the solutions that will enable better understanding of the underlying chemical processes and will facilitate development of conditions for thermal decomposition of the complexes to form semiconductor films with given stoichiometry and composition. The main focus will be on, but not limited to, the complexes of Cu, Zn and Sn comprising the CZTS thin films. The results will be used in fabrication of efficient solution processed solar cells.

This project studentship involves close collaboration with a team of researchers working on the development of perovskite solar-cell devices by spray-coating. Our research vision is to develop solar cells that are inherently non-planar and are continuously coated over 3-dimensional surfaces. As an exemplar, we will use composite materials such as carbon-fibre and other thermo-plastic polymers as the device substrate, as such materials can be easily formed into non-planar structures and can have very high strength-to-weight ratios. The systems we will develop will find potential applications as decentralized, mobile power sources for use in low-energy vehicles and aerospace-technology. Key to this integration is the development of spray-based techniques that permit PV to be coated over 3D surfaces in a seamless and unobtrusive fashion. The student will be charged with the development of techniques that will allow non-planar (curved) surfaces to be coated with various semiconductor materials by spray-coating. This will require a careful control of spray-based deposition techniques and control over drying rates. The student will explore techniques to control film drying-rates, and will also control the properties of the material solutions (inks) to be spray-cast using various viscosity modifiers. The student will then characterise the spray-cast films using a variety of microscopy and analytical techniques. Finally, the student will help fabricate and test the performance of the 3D photovoltaic devices created.

This project will evaluate the feasibility of transferring existing successful helicopter condition monitoring (CM) technology into the offshore wind turbine industry, in order to improve reliability, enable predictive maintenance, increase operations efficiency, reduce emissions, minimise risk for investors and insurers, and ultimately reduce the Levelised Cost of Energy (LCoE). We will evaluate the feasibility of combining Helitune’s helicopter Health & Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) technology, Narec’s offshore wind turbine testing capability, and University of Bristol’s aerospace prognostics expertise, to provide a new holistic CM solution for the offshore wind industry.