Organic Solar Cells
Solar Energy Research in the Marder Group
Our research focuses on developing innovative materials that can improve solar cell technology. We specialize in creating new materials that can capture and transport solar energy more efficiently, with the ultimate goal of making solar power a more effective and accessible renewable energy source.
We work primarily on two types of solar cell technologies:
- Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs): We develop special dyes with highly light-absorbing cores that can capture more solar energy.
- Bulk Heterojunction (BHJ) Solar Cells: These are advanced solar cells made by mixing two types of materials; Donor materials that help capture light and move positive electrical charges and Acceptor materials that help move negative electrical charges
Our current research is particularly exciting. We're focusing on a new type of acceptor material called "non-fullerene acceptors" (NFAs). These innovative materials are a significant breakthrough in solar cell design, dramatically improving how much light can be converted into electricity.
Our team is actively investigating how we can:
- Improve light absorption
- Enhance material stability
- Make materials more environmentally friendly
- Optimize how different materials interact within the solar cell
By carefully studying how material structure and processing conditions affect solar cell performance, we're working to develop more efficient and sustainable solar energy technologies.
