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Xu Z, Michalska M, Papakonstantinou I. Optimizing Horticulture Luminescent Solar Concentrators via Enhanced Diffuse Emission Enabled by Micro-Cone Arrays. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:27587-27595. [PMID: 38748924 PMCID: PMC11145591 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c01707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Optimizing the photon spectrum for photosynthesis concurrently with improving crop yields presents an efficient and sustainable pathway to alleviate global food shortages. Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs), consisting of transparent host matrices doped with fluorophores, show excellent promise to achieve the desired spectral tailoring. However, conventional LSCs are predominantly engineered for photon concentration, which results in a limited outcoupling efficiency of converted photons. Here, we introduce a scheme to implement LSCs into horticulture (HLSC) by enhancing light extraction. The symmetry of the device is disrupted by incorporating microcone arrays on the bottom surface to mitigate total internal reflection. Both Monte Carlo ray tracing simulations and experimental results have verified that the greatest enhancements in converted light extraction, relative to planar LSCs, are achieved using microcone arrays (base width 50 μm, aspect ratio 1.2) with extruded and protruded profiles (85.15 and 66.55% improvement, respectively). Angularly resolved transmission measurements show that the HLSC device exhibits a broad angular radiation distribution. This characteristic indicates that the HLSC device emits diffuse light, which is conducive to optimal plant growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijie Xu
- Photonic
Innovations Lab, Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University College London, London WC1E 7JE, U.K.
| | - Martyna Michalska
- Manufacturing
Futures Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London E20 3BS, U.K.
| | - Ioannis Papakonstantinou
- Photonic
Innovations Lab, Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University College London, London WC1E 7JE, U.K.
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2
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Ferreira RAS, Correia SFH, Georgieva P, Fu L, Antunes M, André PS. A comprehensive dataset of photonic features on spectral converters for energy harvesting. Sci Data 2024; 11:50. [PMID: 38191564 PMCID: PMC10774306 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02827-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Building integrated photovoltaics is a promising strategy for solar technology, in which luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) stand out. Challenges include the development of materials for sunlight harvesting and conversion, which is an iterative optimization process with several steps: synthesis, processing, and structural and optical characterizations before considering the energy generation figures of merit that requires a prototype fabrication. Thus, simulation models provide a valuable, cost-effective, and time-efficient alternative to experimental implementations, enabling researchers to gain valuable insights for informed decisions. We conducted a literature review on LSCs over the past 47 years from the Web of ScienceTM Core Collection, including published research conducted by our research group, to gather the optical features and identify the material classes that contribute to the performance. The dataset can be further expanded systematically offering a valuable resource for decision-making tools for device design without extensive experimental measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rute A S Ferreira
- Department of Physics and CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Sandra F H Correia
- Instituto de Telecomunicações, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Petia Georgieva
- Instituto de Telecomunicações, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
- Departament of Electronics, Telecommunications and Informatics, Institute of Electronics and Informatics Engineering of Aveiro (IEETA), University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Lianshe Fu
- Department of Physics and CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Mário Antunes
- Instituto de Telecomunicações, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
- Departament of Electronics, Telecommunications and Informatics, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Paulo S André
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Instituto de Telecomunicações, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal.
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Verma S, Farrell DJ, Evans RC. Ray-Trace Modeling to Characterize Efficiency of Unconventional Luminescent Solar Concentrator Geometries. ACS APPLIED OPTICAL MATERIALS 2023; 1:1012-1025. [PMID: 37255505 PMCID: PMC10226161 DOI: 10.1021/acsaom.3c00074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) are a promising technology to help integrate solar cells into the built environment, as they are colorful, semitransparent, and can collect diffuse light. While LSCs have traditionally been cuboidal, in recent years, a variety of unconventional geometries have arisen, for example, circular, curved, polygonal, wedged, and leaf-shaped designs. These new designs can help reduce optical losses, facilitate incorporation into the built environment, or unlock new applications. However, as fabrication of complex geometries can be time- and resource-intensive, the ability to simulate the expected LSC performance prior to production would be highly advantageous. While a variety of software exists to model LSCs, it either cannot be applied to unconventional geometries, is not open-source, or is not tractable for most users. Therefore, here we introduce a significant upgrade of the widely used Monte Carlo ray-trace software pvtrace to include: (i) the capability to characterize unconventional geometries and improved relevance to standard measurement configurations; (ii) increased computational efficiency; and (iii) a graphical user interface (GUI) for ease-of-use. We first test these new features against data from the literature as well as experimental results from in-house fabricated LSCs, with agreement within 1% obtained for the simulated versus measured external photon efficiency. We then demonstrate the broad applicability of pvtrace by simulating 20 different unconventional geometries, including a variety of different shapes and manufacturing techniques. We show that pvtrace can be used to predict the optical efficiency of 3D-printed devices. The more versatile and accessible computational workflow afforded by our new features, coupled with 3D-printed prototypes, will enable rapid screening of more intricate LSC architectures, while reducing experimental waste. Our goal is that this accelerates sustainability-driven design in the LSC field, leading to higher optical efficiency or increased utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shomik Verma
- Department
of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University
of Cambridge, 27 Charles Babbage Rd, Cambridge CB3 0FS, U.K.
| | - Daniel J Farrell
- Exciton
Labs, Copley Hill Business
Park, Cambridge Road, Babraham, Cambridge CB22 3GN, U.K.
| | - Rachel C. Evans
- Department
of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University
of Cambridge, 27 Charles Babbage Rd, Cambridge CB3 0FS, U.K.
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Xu Z, Portnoi M, Papakonstantinou I. Micro-cone arrays enhance outcoupling efficiency in horticulture luminescent solar concentrators. OPTICS LETTERS 2023; 48:183-186. [PMID: 36563401 DOI: 10.1364/ol.478206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) have shown the ability to realize spectral conversion, which could tailor the solar spectrum to better match photosynthesis requirements. However, conventional LSCs are designed to trap, rather than extract, spectrally converted light. Here, we propose an effective method for improving outcoupling efficiency based on protruded and extruded micro-cone arrays patterned on the bottom surface of LSCs. Using Monte Carlo ray tracing, we estimate a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 37.73% for our horticulture LSC (HLSC), corresponding to 53.78% improvement relative to conventional, planar LSCs. Additionally, structured HLSCs provide diffuse light, which is beneficial for plant growth. Our micro-patterned surfaces provide a solution to light trapping in LSCs and a foundation for the practical application of HLSCs.
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Kim A, Hosseinmardi A, Annamalai PK, Kumar P, Patel R. Review on Colloidal Quantum Dots Luminescent Solar Concentrators. ChemistrySelect 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202100674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art New York City, NY 10003 USA
| | - Alireza Hosseinmardi
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) The University of Queensland St Lucia QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Pratheep K. Annamalai
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) The University of Queensland St Lucia QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Pawan Kumar
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Énergie Materiaux Télecommunications (INRS-EMT) Varennes QC Canada
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Oklahoma 101 Stephenson Parkway Norman OK 73019 USA
| | - Rajkumar Patel
- Energy & Environmental Science and Engineering (EESE) Integrated Science and Engineering Division (ISED) Underwood International College Yonsei University 85 Songdogwahak-ro, Yeonsugu Incheon 21938 South Korea
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6
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Portnoi M, Haigh PA, Macdonald TJ, Ambroz F, Parkin IP, Darwazeh I, Papakonstantinou I. Bandwidth limits of luminescent solar concentrators as detectors in free-space optical communication systems. LIGHT, SCIENCE & APPLICATIONS 2021; 10:3. [PMID: 33386386 PMCID: PMC7775919 DOI: 10.1038/s41377-020-00444-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) have recently emerged as a promising receiver technology in free-space optical communications due to their inherent ability to collect light from a wide field-of-view and concentrate it into small areas, thus leading to high optical gains. Several high-speed communication systems integrating LSCs in their detector blocks have already been demonstrated, with the majority of efforts so far being devoted to maximising the received optical power and the system's field-of-view. However, LSCs may pose a severe bottleneck on the bandwidth of such communication channels due to the comparably slow timescale of the fluorescence events involved, a situation further aggravated by the inherent reabsorption in these systems, and yet, an in-depth study into such dynamic effects remains absent in the field. To fill this gap, we have developed a comprehensive analytical solution that delineates the fundamental bandwidth limits of LSCs as optical detectors in arbitrary free-space optical links, and establishes their equivalence with simple RC low-pass electrical circuits. Furthermore, we demonstrate a time-domain Monte Carlo simulation platform, an indispensable tool in the multiparameter optimisation of LSC-based receiver systems. Our work offers vital insight into LSC system dynamic behaviour and paves the way to evaluate the technology for a wide range of applications, including visible light communications, high-speed video recording, and real-time biological imaging, to name a few.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Portnoi
- Photonic Innovations Lab, Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University College London, London, WC1E 7JE, UK
| | | | - Thomas J Macdonald
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London, W12 0BZ, UK
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London, WC1H 0AJ, UK
| | - Filip Ambroz
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London, WC1H 0AJ, UK
| | - Ivan P Parkin
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London, WC1H 0AJ, UK
| | - Izzat Darwazeh
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University College London, London, WC1E 7JE, UK
| | - Ioannis Papakonstantinou
- Photonic Innovations Lab, Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University College London, London, WC1E 7JE, UK.
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Li Y, Zhang X, Zhang Y, Dong R, Luscombe CK. Review on the Role of Polymers in Luminescent Solar Concentrators. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/pola.29192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yilin Li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering University of Washington Seattle Washington 98195
- Molecular Engineering Materials Center University of Washington Seattle Washington 98195
| | - Xueqiao Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering University of Washington Seattle Washington 98195
| | - Yongcao Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering University of Washington Seattle Washington 98195
| | - Richard Dong
- Interlake Senior High School Bellevue Washington 98008
| | - Christine K. Luscombe
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering University of Washington Seattle Washington 98195
- Molecular Engineering Materials Center University of Washington Seattle Washington 98195
- Department of Chemistry University of Washington Seattle Washington 98195
- Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute University of Washington Seattle Washington 98195
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