Polymer and Dye Characterization for Optimization of Luminescent Solar Concentrators
Physical and Biological Sciences
UCSC Carter Lab, Physics Department
With the decline of fossil fuel resources, we must turn our attention toward alternative forms of energy. Solar technology has been on the rise with decreasing costs and increasing availability, however, the large-scale application is limited by demands for an environmentally friendly approach and by land used for other necessities. Luminescent Solar Concentrators (LSCs) off er a great compromise between power production and agricultural space when implemented in greenhouses. Our design employs front facing cells that receive both direct and guided light from a fluorescent dye. This dye targets wavelengths optimal for photosynthesis and silicon solar cells. In order to increase the power output of the LSC panels and lower costs to make this technology widely available, we investigate alternative plastics for the LSC film and dyes that operate in the near-infrared portion of the spectrum. In this project we will address a new technique for film development and characterization of these materials by recording absorption and emission spectra of dyes deposited into these plastics along with relative efficiencies of the dyes.
