Quantum Dots for Novel Solar Solutions

Project funded by Swedish Research Council (Project grant), grant 2014-04032_VR. Participating organisations named by the source: Lund University. Funded amount: SEK 3,740,000, as stated by the source. Runs 2015-01-01 to 2018-12-31. Keywords: Naturvetenskap, Natural Sciences, Fysik, Physical Sciences, Atom- och molekylfysik och optik, Atom and Molecular Physics and Optics. Source: OpenAIRE Graph, from the funder's project data (collected by OpenAIRE on 2025-12-05); national funding data, not CORDIS. Abstract given by the source: In nanoscale the physical size and shape become important. By decreasing size of a semiconductor crystal to a few nanometers, properties of the crystal start to change. Continuum of states in conduction and valence bands transforms into sets of discrete energy levels due to quantum confinement in a tiny volume of a "dot". In this way the absorption of the dots can be tuned by changing their size making them attractive as light harvesting materials. The term "Rainbow Solar Cell" was coined to visualize the ease and beauty of covering the whole solar spectrum by simple means. Even more attractive for solar applications is the multiple exciton generation (MEG) and collection in such nanomaterials, quantum dots (QD). This effect could drastically increase the Shockley-Queisser thermodynamic efficiency limit (~32%) of the conventional solar cells. MEG is ultrafast and involves an initial coherent stage which is not fully understood. Current QD-solar cells (QDSC) are inefficient. We hereby propose to develop a set of well-functioning QD-based solar solutions. Via detailed characterization of materials and dynamic processes in solar cell components, we will identify the loss channels and find proper optimization strategies for QDSC. The longer term aim is to demonstrate multiple electron and/or hole collection in a prototype functioning solar cell. In this way we take a serious step towards drastically improving the efficiency of such solar technology.

Original source.

Source: OpenAIRE Graph: projects of national funders, OpenAIRE, from the project data of Swedish Research Council. Retrieved 2026-10-28. Licence: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (OpenAIRE Graph). Selected metadata, adapted presentation; the publisher's record is authoritative. No endorsement by the source is implied. Licence: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0).

AI-assisted summary: The project "Quantum Dots for Novel Solar Solutions" was funded by the Swedish Research Council with a grant of SEK 3,740,000, running from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2018, involving Lund University. It explores the properties of nanoscale semiconductor crystals for solar energy applications. Suggested technology pillar: enabling. Generated by AI from the public source text; it may contain errors and the original source is authoritative.