ENGR 103 - Spring 2013 Freshman Engineering Design Lab Modifying Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells to Increase Efficiency Project

Design Proposal
Date Submitted: April 18, 2013

Submitted to: Group Members:

Christopher Weyant, chrisweyant@drexel.edu Jasmine George, jmg429@drexel.edu Michelle Lanshe, mal384@drexel.edu Tessa Speicher, tls348@drexel.edu

Abstract: This project will ultimately redesign the current standard model for dye-sensitized solar cells. Green energy struggles to compete with more traditional and less environmentally-friendly forms of energy particularly with regards to cost. This project hopes to make renewable energy more competitive through four design aspects that could potentially increase the efficiency and viability of the current model. The projects main deliverable will be the redesigned solar model along with experimental data and documentation to prove its new efficiency. The four major tasks of the project include exploring organic dyes, glass material, catalyst efficiency, and the alligator clip design to lower costs and increase efficiency. These four tasks will be completed through experimentation to measure results against the controlled standard model. The experiments, along with all research and a final presentation, will take place within a ten week time frame and a $75 budget. The budget will consist of organic dyes and mechanical hardware, mostly for the experimental procedures. The low budget is due in part because many of the materials can be borrowed or procured through Drexel facilities. This experiment requires an additional background of scientific procedure, circuitry, chemistry, and the engineering design process which all group members must possess to meet the projects deadlines and deliverables.

ENGR-103 Freshman Design Proposal

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Introduction The projects objective will involve exploring the design process while creating a dye -

sensitized solar cell. Tests will aim to highlight the mechanisms involved in absorbing and converting solar energy into a viable energy source. To achieve this goal, the project will modify multiple aspects of the dye-sensitized solar cell, such as the dyes involved, the glass, and the design of the alligator clips. Catalysts will also be explored in an attempt to change the solar cells performance. Major challenges in the design project include the analysis of the dyes chemical compositions and pinpointing which properties will produce more efficient solar cells. Similarly, implementing a cheap yet efficient secondary catalyst will require an in-depth analysis of reactions involving dyes. In the end, the desired outcome of this project is to procure a physical prototype that will produce more efficient energy at a lower cost. Therefore, the hope is to produce a solar cell that can be considered viable in the market.

Deliverables This project will produce numerous deliverables, namely the physical prototype of the newly

designed solar cell. As the proposal focuses on four design changes on the basic dye-sensitized solar cell model, final deliverables will also include three lab test results with respect to the change in the dye, glass material, and catalyst. The lab test results will demonstrate how the changes increased efficiency. The final design change, based on the alligator clip connection, will be documented through a design study, and possibly a 3D computer model as well, to also improve efficiency.

3 3.1

Technical Activities Dye Efficiency As the name suggests, dye will play a pivotal role in any dye-sensitized solar cell. This

project will explore the efficiency of only natural dyes such as those from raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, pomegranate, and cherries. Natural dyes were chosen for their easy access and their low cost. Each dye will be used to create a solar cell which will be tested against the original model. The efficiency will be measured using a voltmeter which will measure electrical potential difference. The dye with the highest voltmeter reading will be used 1

ENGR-103 Freshman Design Proposal

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in the final design. Obtaining greater efficiency from a low cost, easily accessible material will meet the greater goal of this project in sustainable energy, competitive in todays markets. 3.2 Glass Material The glass used in the solar cell model must be transparent and conductive on one side. This project will explore the effect of different types of glass in a method similar to the one described above for dye efficiency. Fluorine-doped Tin Oxide, FTO, and Indium Tin Oxide, ITO, will be tested in this project. If the efficiency appears to be unrelated to the type of glass used, the cheapest material will be used in order to meet the dual goal of cheap and clean energy. 3.3 Catalyst Efficiency As the energy from a dye-sensitized solar cell is based on a chemical equation, this project will explore how a catalyst might alter the reaction rate for improved efficiency. This task will require the most research to find candidates for viable catalysts. These catalysts will be tested in the same fashion as the dye and glass experiments. Though repetitive, this process is simple, straightforward, and relatively cheap to perform multiple times. Ideally the experiment will yield a measurable difference allowing for us to further improve the dye-sensitized solar cell model. 3.4 Alligator Clip Alternatives This task will differ considerably from the other three in approach. The alligator clip design appears flimsy and inefficient. This project hopes to address both concerns for a more reliable and streamlined design. Based on the model design, alternatives will be tested accordingly throughout the design process as seen fit. If the changes develop into a drastically different design, the new design will be modeled using a 3D modeling software. In the case of time or budget constraints, this task will be dropped without drastically affecting the final outcome .

ENGR-103 Freshman Design Proposal 4 Project Timeline

Section 069, Group 05

Week Task Research and Literature Study Standard Cell Testing Dye Testing Glass Composition Testing Catalyst Analysis Alligator Clip Design Final Prototype Final Report Preparation Table 1: Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Project Timeline. 1 x 2 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Milestones The major milestones of this project include testing the standard cell, the four technical

activities, and testing the final prototype. The standard cell will be tested by April 25 th, or Week 4 of lab. The first technical task, testing the dye, will be complete by May 2 nd. The glass material will be chosen by May 9th or Week 6 while the catalyst analysis will be finalized in Week 7, the 16th of May. The alligator clip alternatives will be decided upon the 23rd of May. The testing of the final prototype will be finished by Week 9 or May 30th.

Facilities and Resources Although many resources will already be acquired, there will be considerable usage of

faculty research space and equipment. Faculty research space will be used to provide a safe environment to carry out modifications to the cells and to have a location containing necessary laboratory resources and equipment. Various chemical solutions, types of glass, heat sources, and a fume hood will be the main laboratory equipment provided by faculty research space.

Expertise Handling and modifying solar cells will require knowledge in both chemical engineering and

material engineering. An understanding of how different substances interact on a molecular level will be pertinent in the upcoming research and development. Considering the practical use of a 3

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solar cell, that being converting solar energy into usable electrical energy, familiarity with basic circuitry will also be handy. In terms of procuring variables, especially with regards to the alligator clips design, experience with 3D modeling will be needed.

Budget

Category Nanocrystalline Solar Cell Kit [1] Organic Dyes [2] Mechanical Hardware [3] TOTAL

Projected Cost $50.00 $21.95 $9.82 $81.77

Table 2: Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Project Budget.

8.1

Nanocrystalline Solar Cell Kit A nanocrystalline solar cell kit will be purchased to provide the basic supplies necessary to

build the standard dye-sensitized solar cell. The kit will come with a potentiometer, graphite pencil, copper tape, binder clips, dropper bottle, transparent slides, titanium dioxide powder, and iodine electrolyte solution. There are enough materials to make five solar cells, which will be used to measure the new designs against. 8.2 Organic Dyes Organic dyes refer to the natural dyes that will replace the current dye used in production of dye-sensitized solar cells. Different organic dyes will be tested in the solar cells. The most efficient dye will be used in production of creating more effective dye-sensitized solar cells. 8.3 Mechanical Hardware Mechanical hardware refers to the tools that will be utilized for the alligator clip alternatives. The tools will be used to modify the current alligator clips in order to produce a more effective design for the clips that allow for the creation of more efficient dye-sensitized solar cells. 4

ENGR-103 Freshman Design Proposal 9 References

Section 069, Group 05

[1] Institute for Chemical Education. Internet: http://ice.chem.wisc.edu/REU.html. [April 7, 2013] [2] ShopRite. Internet: http://shop.mywebgrocer.com/Shop.aspx?strid=D6243355. [April 7, 2013]. [3] Amazon. Internet: http://www.amazon.com/Allied-49032-25-Piece-Tri-Fold`Mini/dp/B000EMBHHE/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1366242672&sr=11&keywords=mini+tool+kit. [April 7, 2013].