Chung-How Poh

FDTD modeling to enhance the performance of an organic solar cell embedded with gold nanoparticles

Optical enhancement is demonstrated in a bilayer P3HT-C60 solar cell by embedding gold nanoparticles directly into the P3HT layer of the photovoltaic device. FDTD simulations are used to model the observed performance gain. A qualitative agreement between the experimental and numerical results is achieved. This validates the numerical model and the simulation is subsequently extended to predict the performance gain of the bilayer device constructed with thinner P3HT layer. The numerical results reveal that the plasmonic structure has even larger effect on such thinner bilayer device. The enhancement is expected to be most significant when the p-n interface is allowed to assume the conformal hemispherical profile of the metal particles.

Organic solar cells: evaluation of the stability of P3HT using time- delayed degradation

Despite the fact that the performance of organic solar cells is generally susceptible to degradation by moisture exposure, there has been suggestion that the photoactive layer (P3HT) is surprisingly resilient. This work attempts to confirm the stability of P3HT as an organic solar cell material by deliberately introducing water into the photoactive layer. A dramatic step drop in device performance during cell characterization is observed approximately one day after the device has been fabricated. The time-delayed step drop in output efficiency strongly suggests that moisture has little effect on the P3HT conducting polymer.

UAV with VTOL and Endurance Capability Inspired by Unlimited-Class Aerobatic Aircraft

High-aspect ratio sailplanes are well known for their endurance while the unlimited aerobatic aircrafts are specially designed to perform maneuvers under stall conditions such as hovering and the Lomcovák. We propose and simulate an UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) design based on the hybridization of sailplane and aerobatic aircraft. The aim is to design and develop an endurance UAV with VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) and payload capabilities.

Plasmonic nanostructure embedded within photoactive layer for enhanced power conversion efficiency of organic solar cells

Gold quantum dots have been successfully embedded into the photoactive layer of a P3HT:C60 bilayer solar cell. I–V and EQE measurements confirm that the demonstrated bilayer device shows a 67% increase in conversion efficiency.