TECHNOLOGY SUMMARY

Most nanowire-based photovoltaic cells and photodetectors are based on vertical arrays, which can only be integrated in parallel (not in series), limiting their open-circuit voltage to less than 1V, whereas the voltage necessary to power certain devices can be several volts or more. Current nanowire technologies also lack compatibility with existing platforms, primarily with silicon technology. This new nanowire technology achieved through a novel method for guided planar nanowire growth enables fabrication of high voltage photovoltaic cells necessary to power a variety of microsystems by in-series nanowire integration. Moreover, such cells can be integrated with other systems on the same chip. To date, a voltage of 2.5V was already obtained by integrating four CdS-Cu2S core-shell, one-dimensional nanostructure cells connected in series. This technology enables photovoltaic integration into autonomous microsystems, higher solar energy utilization, and expansion of photovoltaic cell applications. Additionally, this technology is silicon-compatible and can, therefore, be easily integrated into existing silicon-based platforms. With the growing need for systems allowing renewable energy harvesting, and ever-increasing performance demands – such as speed, efficiency, size, and lower cost, an efficient nanowire-based photovoltaic technology can be of high value and is applicable in a variety of market sectors.

AREA/MATURITY/AWARDS

Primary Application Area: Electronics, Sensors, Communications

Technology Development Status: Prototype

Technology Readiness Level: TRL 3

SHOWCASE SUMMARY

Organization Type: Academic/Gov Lab

Showcase Booth #: 123

Website: http://www.yedarnd.com/

GOVT/EXTERNAL FUNDING SOURCES