Photoluminescence of combinatorically sputtered Al₂O₃–Y₂O₃ thin films with a Cr³⁺ and Nd³⁺ co-doping concentration gradient

The characterization of a wide range of luminescent thin films can be a long and tedious endeavor. With reactive combinatorial sputtering of multiple metal targets, it possible to fabricate thin films with a gradient in composition simply by not rotating the substrate. In this work, combinatorically sputtered thin films of Cr³⁺ and...

Unfolding the Excited States Dynamics of Tm²⁺-doped Halides: In Prospect of Novel Luminescence Solar Concentrators

Tm²⁺-doped halides exhibit excellent properties for use in Luminescence Solar Concentrator (LSC) applications. Such LSCs consist of a glass waveguide with small Copper-Indium- Selenide (CIS) solar cells attached to its edges. The waveguide contains a luminescent coating based on a Tm²⁺-doped halide, whose 4f125d1 absorption...

Design and characterisation of a bi-modal solar thermal propulsion and power system for small satellites

Small satellites with increased capabilities in terms of power and propulsion are being demanded for future missions. This paper addresses an alternative bi-modal solution which consists of a solar thermal propulsion system coupled with a micro-Organic Rankine Cycle system, to co-generate thrust and electrical power. Current literature on bi...

The potential of transparent sputtered NaI:Tm²⁺, CaBr₂:Tm²⁺, and CaI₂:Tm²⁺ thin films as luminescent solar concentrators

The parameters governing the performance of a luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) are determined for sputtered thin-films of NaI:Tm²⁺, CaBr₂:Tm²⁺, and CaI₂:Tm²⁺. These parameters are determined by using six gradient thin film material libraries, combinatorially sputtered from metallic...

Luminous Glass: A Study on the Optics Governing Luminescent Solar Concentrators and Optimization of Luminescent Materials through Combinatorial Gradient Sputter Deposition

A luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) is a concept from the 1970s that can find novel application as an electricity-generating window. An LSC converts sunlight to light of a different color by a process called luminescence. This light is transported to the edges of the LSC, where photovoltaic cells convert this incoming light to electricity....

Solar energy harvesting on-board small satellites

Small satellites are receiving increased recognition in the space domain due to their reduced associated launch costs and shorter lead time when compared to larger satellites. However, this advantage is often at the expense of mission capabilities, such as available electrical power and propulsion. A possible solution is to shift from the...

Fabrication of polymer nanocomposites for application in luminescent solar concentrators

The integration of luminescent nanoparticles into transparent polymer matrices opens the way to affordable, scalable and efficient luminescent solar concentrators. A key challenge in the fabrication is to prevent agglomeration of the nanoparticles as this will drastically reduce the performance due to scattering effects. The incompatibility of...

Modelling and optimization of UV absorbing photovoltaic windows using a thin film AlN:Eu³⁺ luminescence library

Building-integrated photovoltaics are drawing much attention to make the built environment self-sufficient in terms of electricity. Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) can provide this electricity generation when used as photovoltaic windows. Paramount to an efficient LSC are non-overlapping absorption and emission spectra, to avoid self...

Optimization of a Luminescent Solar Concentrator: Simulation and application in PowerWindow design

PowerWindow, a built-in Luminescent Solar Concentrator (LSC), is composed of a window glass with thulium doped coating and a CIGS PV-cell strip attached to one glass edge. LSCs can absorb part of the incoming sunlight and re-direct it to the edges, where PV-cells can produce electricity. Light transport efficiency is then determined by several...

Smart Window Integration into the Building Envelope: Implementation of a smart window integrated by luminescent solar concentrators into the building envelope– large-scale application: main facade of Civil Engineering building of TU Delft

In the present research the building performance by the incorporation of a Smart Window integrated by LSC components into the building envelope is investigated in terms of daylight and energy consumption. From energy point of view, the main objective of the Smart Window was to provide ''usable'' daylight to the interior of the offices, allowing...

Design of a Solar Thermal Power-Propulsion System for a Small Satellite

Lanthanide doped spectral conversion materials for solar cells

System engineering and design of LSC-PV for outdoor lighting applications

Solar photovoltaic outdoor lighting applications usually comprise flat plate PV modules mounted on top of a light pole. In our paper instead, it is thought of to design the light pole as a luminescent solar concentrator photovoltaic (LSC-PV) module with solar cell strips and hence reduce costs of silicon solar cells because concentration effects...

Detailed efficiency characterisation of Lu2O3:Eu3+ thin film luminescent solar concentrators: An analytic and experimental light transport study

The worldwide struggle to renew the human energy supply to high environmental friendly standards has led to creative and innovative solutions for the supply of `green' energy. The financial benefits of conventional energy sources restrain the widespread use of renewable energy sources, like wind or solar energy. This competition requires...