Polymer-based organic solar cells developed in UAE

Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies announced its researchers have fabricated the very first bulk-hetero-junction solar cell in the UAE, marking another technological breakthrough for the country in clean energy.

This also reflects another key milestone – these are also the very first solar cells fabricated at the Masdar Institute cleanroom.

Ms. Mejd Alsari, a UAE national student, and Dr. Samuele Lilliu, a post-doctoral fellow working at the Nano-Optics and Optoelectronics Research (NOOR) Laboratory under Dr. Marcus Dahlem, Assistant Professor, Microsystems Engineering, have fabricated the first polymer-based organic photovoltaic solar cell (OPV), which can also be conveniently printed on flexible substrates. This has been achieved using Masdar Institute’s cleanroom facilities internally without any assistance from external fabrication facilities or expertise.

The OPVs with advanced aesthetic characteristics such as colors and design will be developed with inkjet-printing deposition techniques. These prototypes could be highly interesting for Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) applications and designers globally and in the region. Further to the OPVs research, large area organic photo-detectors based on the same technology, with potential applications in the medical, security and entertainment industry could also be prepared. A start-up venture based in Masdar City to transfer prototypes into final products may also be set up at a later stage.

Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said: “The outstanding feat of our researchers and faculty consolidates the status of Masdar Institute as a research-driven institution, continuously striving to contribute to the Abu Dhabi’s long-term objectives in advanced technology. The support of the country’s leadership has strengthened us to achieve this breakthrough. Our students and faculty will remain focused in their research on clean energy innovations that will ensure the creation of a sustainable knowledge economy in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.”

The first bulk-heterojunction OPV solar cells fabricated at Masdar Institute are part of a new major research project on organic photo-detectors undertaken by Dr. Lilliu and Dr. Dahlem from the NOOR Laboratory. Other faculty members involved in the project include Dr. Amal Al Ghaferi and Dr. Marco Stefancich, Assistant Professors in the Materials Science and Engineering program, as well as Dr. Ammar Nayfeh, Dr. Jerald Yoo and Dr. Jaime Viegas, Assistant Professors in the Microsystems Engineering program, Dr. Matteo Chiesa, Associate Professor in the Materials Science and Engineering program, Dr. Simo Pehkonen, Professor in the Chemical Engineering program, and Dr. Bruce Ferguson, Director of Masdar Institute’s Center on Innovation Systems and Entrepreneurship.

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