Initiatives for Global Security and Energy Transition

Research and development of next-generation photovoltaic devices

Research and development of high-efficiency solar cells working under various light conditions

Solar energy is one of the most representative renewable energy sources. Therefore efficient utilization of solar energy plays an important role in considering global energy and environmental issues. Under these circumstances, there have been growing requirements for development of high-efficiency and highly functional solar cells to generate electricity in a cost-effective way.

Toward the realization of low-cost solar cells, our research focus is directed to 1) syntheses of photovoltaic materials based on organic chemistry, and 2) development of solution processed-solar cells. Development of solar cells structures to utilize solar energy spanning in a wider solar spectral range and ultra-high efficiency solar cells based on colloidal quantum dots are another important aspects of our research activities.

Understanding of photovoltaic properties is also deepened with the aid of computational chemistry using super-computers. There are a variety of light energy sources except sunlight. Utilization of light energy sources available in our daily life then has been becoming increasingly important from the viewpoints of energy savings and so on. Research on self-driven energy harvesting devices including solar cells is also carried out by focusing organic solar cells because the solar cells can yield relatively high power conversion efficiency.

Collaboration between industry and academia is crucial to promote practical applications of our research results. Establishing good partnership between industry and academia is one of the important aspects of our research activities.

Member

• 
• • Project Professor
    Takaya KUBO
  Specialized field: Solar power generation, Ultra-high efficiency solar cells, Modulation spectroscopy

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