Are you fascinated by photovoltaic solar energy conversions and design engineering? Then this PhD project could be something for you! Its goal is to optimize Luminescent Solar Concentrator Photovoltaics with stimulated emission, which will increase efficiency and its design features considerably. You will conduct experiments and model devices.
InformationThis PhD project focuses on the development of highly efficient luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) photovoltaic (PV) devices with stimulated emission using a seed laser, further called SE-LSC. This can enhance the irradiance received by PV cells in these devices. This research project will comprise theoretical modelling for the optimization of the optical, electrical and thermal characteristics of SE-LSC PV devices in combination with experimental activities for the characterization of outdoor spectra, luminescent materials, components and devices.
You will be working on this topic which is highly relevant for the sustainable energy transition and UN Sustainable Development Goals, using the lab facilities of the Energy Technology and Fluid Dynamics Group of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of TU/e and those of the Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials and Devices Group of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry of TU/e. Utrecht University will also be a partner in this project and offer an outdoor test location. For applications of SE-LSC PV devices in the built environment, the ongoing 4TU Heritage program with University of Twente, WUR and TU Delft will provide a context as well as outdoor monitoring facilities.
More specifically the objectives of this PhD project are:
- theoretically understand and predict the functioning of SE-LSCs using laser processes and under outdoor irradiance,
- simulate various SE-LSC PV device configurations under diverse operational modes,
- demonstrate SE-LSC PV devices in the lab and under outdoor conditions, and
- make an inventory of luminescent species suitable for this application.
This approach will result in a new PV technology with properties with a lot of design freedom – such as color, transparency, low costs and form-giving - which is essential for integration of PV in buildings, vehicles and other products. It is assumed that the efficiency of an LSC PV device can surpass 20% by means of a seed laser. In this project it is evaluated how this high efficiency can be achieved.