Solar Energy Materials Research Group
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory | Materials Sciences Division

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The Solar Energy Materials Research Group is led by Senior Scientist Wladek Walukiewicz (PI) with Staff Scientists Joel Ager (co-PI) and Kin Man Yu (co-PI). Senior Staff Scientist Zuzanna Liliental-Weber is also associated with the program. The group is developing novel materials that address the immediate need for sustainable, clean energy sources. We are currently investigating both Group III-Nitride semiconductors as well as highly-mismatched alloys for a number of energy-generating applications. The following are a few examples:

Full-spectrum Solar Cell

The newly discovered narrow bandgap of InN Eg~0.7 has extended the spectral range of the InGaN alloy system into the infrared region. That makes InGaN an excellent material for high-efficiency multi-junction (tandem) solar cells. As shown in the picture on the left, the bandgap of the InGaN alloy matches the solar spectrum (Air Mass 1.5) almost perfectly [1].
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"Multiband" Solar Cell

The intermediate band acts as a “stepping stone,” allowing absorption of photons at three different energy levels, corresponding to the three different band gaps.  In particular, low-energy photons are captured that would pass through a conventional solar cell.
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WHAT'S NEW

Last update 05/22/09

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