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2019 - Senior Year
2019 - Senior Year
Research Title: Photoluminescent Downshifting of Cadmium Selenide Quantum Dots to Maximize Solar Cell Efficiency
Research Title: Photoluminescent Downshifting of Cadmium Selenide Quantum Dots to Maximize Solar Cell Efficiency
This project utilizes ideas from the previous year. This year, I utilized the same property of certain wavelengths exciting silicon electrons, but getting those wavelengths is a different process altogether. Quantum dots are molecular nanostructures that exhibit certain characteristics that the chemical structure in bulk does not. Specifically, the idea of photoluminescent downshifting: no matter what range of wavelengths are absorbed by the quantum dot, the same set wavelengths are always emitted. This allows quantum dots to have different glows even though temperature and volume of the chemical remains the same. Using this idea, the entire solar spectrum can be used to power up a solar panel, even though only a small range of wavelengths is really affecting energy generation.
The figure above shows the entireity of the testing setup to gain voltage, current, and surface temperature data of the solar panel effectively.
The figure above shows the organic flask containing the cadmium and selenium stock solutions necessary for synthesis.
The figure above depicts how the quantum dot solution was tested. The area of the solar panel was constrained so that not much quantum dot solution would be needed for testing.
2018 - Junior Year
2018 - Junior Year
Research Title: Optimizing Solar Cell Performance with a Diffracting Prismatic Lens
Research Title: Optimizing Solar Cell Performance with a Diffracting Prismatic Lens
This project is a continuation from the one I did the previous year. However, in order to optimize solar cell performance, a prismatic lens of a certain shape, size, angle, and material must be used. The main objective of this research was to create a theoretical model that can predict the outcome of using a certain prismatic lens design. By using the theoretical model, different prismatic lens designs were created and tested to see their effectiveness in increasing solar cell efficiency. Once the theoretical model is accurately able to predict the effectiveness of a prismatic lens, a certain design can be made for each solar panel in a different situation.
The figure above demonstrates the positioning of the lamp, alligator clips, and the surface temperature sensor in the experimental setup, which is inside the fridge in a specific fashion so the fridge door closes completely.
The figure above shows the circuit to measure the open-circuit voltage and the short-circuit current at relatively the same moment of time.
The figure above shows the graphical model of the prismatic lens design. Only one prism is shown, which the ability to change rotation and shape of the prism using the sliders on the top left.
2017 - Sophomore Year
2017 - Sophomore Year
Research Title: Testing Solar Cell Efficiency with Angle Deviations of a Prismatic Lens
Research Title: Testing Solar Cell Efficiency with Angle Deviations of a Prismatic Lens
The problem I am facing with is global climate change. In order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, I am focusing on using solar panels at their maximum efficiency. However, as of now, solar panels are inefficient, therefore, something must be added in order to maximize efficiency. Lens will maximize the amount of light interacting with solar cells, but since the Sun emits most energy in the visible part of the EM spectrum, a lens made up of prisms will be more appropriate. The prism disperses incident light and refracts it a certain degree. Figuring out the angle of deviation in order for multiple prisms to have maximum dispersion area on the surface of the solar panel is the goal of my research and experiment.
The figure above shows the setup necessary to test the prisms and the solar panel. The light comes from the left side, strikes the prisms in the center, and hits the solar panel on the right.
The figure above shows the Multi-meter used to measure voltage of the solar panel.
The figure above shows the surface temperature sensor attached on the bottom right of the solar panel.
Lab Skills Learned Over All Years
Lab Skills Learned Over All Years
- Create serial dilutions
- Use LoggerPro3 software
- Use Multi-meter and Vernier Surface Temperature Sensor
- Create a circuit
- Use spectrometer, microscope, and centrifuge
- Handle solar cells and panel
- Keeping on schedule and tracking data
- Different analyses of data
- Using Geogebra and Desmos Graphing Calculator
- Coding Theoretical Model with Eclipse Oxygen (Java 8 SE)
- Handle Glassware and keep aware of temperature change and phase change of chemicals (hazardous)
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