The Carroll Research Group has multiple ongoing projects in Solar Power technology development.  Our program, while applied, aims at the development of new principles for solar collection.

Development of new polymers for use in OPV

Our group continues to explore the design of new macromolecular nanocomposites for use in photon absorption.  Using rational design methods based on simulations, we have focused on families of benzo-dithiophene containing polymers.  Our goal is to better understand the origins of polymer electronic and optical properties and how to tune them to our needs in OPV.

3D optical architectures for very high efficiency solar collection

Three dimensional architectures do more than capture light like a black body; they provide avenues into nonlinear behavior.  Our group first introduced FiberCell in 2007 after several years of development.  From this simple device, of an OPV wrapped around an optical fiber, we have found that a large amount of new physics can arise.  Currently we are engaged in understanding how the mode structure and confined fields of the 3D architecture can result in spectral overlap broadening, and exciplex enhancement for OPV. 

Novel nonlinear optical elements for high efficiency solar

Typically, nonlinear optical processes such as frequency shifters and multiple exciton generation (MEGs) have such as low cross section that they are of little use in the low flux conditions of solar collection.  However, in confined optical architectures they may make sense.  In fact, we hope to show that they can mimic the role of spectral splitting seen in multiple heterostructure, inorganic devices which are the current high performers.  Our focus has been on lead based quantum dots: PdS/PbSe, and frequency shifting phosphors.

New Inorganic Absorbers with earth abundant elements

Along with more traditional absorbers such as micro/nano crystalline, thin film Si, the Carroll group is explore grain control and bandgap engineering in earth abundant quaternary compounds of Copper, Zinc, Tin, Sulfur - CZTS.  We are particularly interested in grain growth, interface formation and stoichiometric stability.

Photovoltaic - thermal hybrids

As everyone knows, the big problem with photovoltaics is that they do not work at night (or on very cloudy days).  The Carroll group has developed a number of hybrid systems that create electrical energy from BOTH the sun and ambient heat.  But what are the limitations of these approaches?  This program hopes to show that thermodynamic considerations lead naturally to avenues of efficient and cost effective PV-T.