The light conversion efficiency of a solar cell is enhanced by using an optical downshifting layer in cooperation with a photovoltaic material. The optical downshifting layer converts photons having wavelengths in a supplemental light absorption spectrum into photons having a wavelength in the primary light absorption spectrum of the photovoltaic materiaL The cost effectiveness and efficiency of solar cells platforms can be increased by relaxing the range of the primary light absorption spectrum of the photovoltaic materiaL The optical downshifting layer can be applied as a low cost solution processed film composed of highly absorbing and emissive quantum dot heterostructure nanomaterial embedded in an inert matrix to improve the short wavelength response to the photovoltaic materiaL The enhanced efficiency provided by the optical downshifting layer permits advantageous modifications to the solar cell platform that enhances its efficiency as well.

The light conversion efficiency of a solar cell is enhanced by using an optical downshifting layer in cooperation with a photovoltaic material. The optical downshifting layer converts photons having wavelengths in a supplemental light absorption spectrum into photons having a wavelength in the primary light absorption spectrum of the photovoltaic materiaL The cost effectiveness and efficiency of solar cells platforms can be increased by relaxing the range of the primary light absorption spectrum of the photovoltaic materiaL The optical downshifting layer can be applied as a low cost solution processed film composed of highly absorbing and emissive quantum dot heterostructure nanomaterial embedded in an inert matrix to improve the short wavelength response to the photovoltaic materiaL The enhanced efficiency provided by the optical downshifting layer permits advantageous modifications to the solar cell platform that enhances its efficiency as well.

A structure composed of multiple layers that consist of 7 stages of photon and electron management, enhancement, and conversion for the purposes of photovoltaic applications is described. The invention consists of one or more layers comprised of: 1) an energy dependent up and down conversion layer optimized for a particular wavelength such as infrared; 2) a layer for multiple implementations of light capturing and trapping; 3) a layer for photonic and plasmonic enhancement of captured and trapped light; 4) a layer for converting photons to electrons; 5) a layer for multiplying electrons; 6) a layer for storing generated electrons; and 7) a layer for using electrons for power. One or more layers may serve simultaneous purposes.

A structure composed of multiple layers that consist of 7 stages of photon and electron management, enhancement, and conversion for the purposes of photovoltaic applications is described. The invention consists of one or more layers comprised of: 1) an energy dependent up and down conversion layer optimized for a particular wavelength such as infrared; 2) a layer for multiple implementations of light capturing and trapping; 3) a layer for photonic and plasmonic enhancement of captured and trapped light; 4) a layer for converting photons to electrons; 5) a layer for multiplying electrons; 6) a layer for storing generated electrons; and 7) a layer for using electrons for power. One or more layers may serve simultaneous purposes.

The present disclosure relates to a transparent luminescent solar concentrator (LSC). The LSC according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a polymer resin panel uniformly doped with phosphors. Accordingly, it is possible to greatly improve the transmittance and optical haze compared to the existing LSC manufactured by physically mixing or coating phosphors on the front side of the panel. In addition, it is possible to greatly improve the light collection efficiency of the LSC through the arrangement structure of the solar cells embedded in the polymer resin panel. The polymer resin panel according to an embodiment may be manufactured with flexibility or rigidity according to the purpose of use, and thus can be widely applied to curved structures, for example, building windows, automobile glasses and greenhouse roofs.

A transparent luminescent solar concentrator (TLSC) is provided. The TLSC includes a luminophore and a waveguide that guides light emitted from the luminophore. The TLSC has a light utilization efficiency (LUE) of greater than or equal to about 1.

A transparent luminescent solar concentrator (TLSC) is provided. The TLSC includes a luminophore and a waveguide that guides light emitted from the luminophore. The TLSC has a light utilization efficiency (LUE) of greater than or equal to about 1.

Methods are described that include contacting an alkyl ammonium metal halide film with an alkyl ammonium halide, where the alkyl ammonium metal halide film includes a first halogen and a metal, the alkyl ammonium halide includes a second halogen, such that the contacting forms an alkyl ammonium metal mixed-halide film that interfaces with the alkyl ammonium metal halide film, where the alkyl ammonium metal mixed-halide film includes the first halogen, the second halogen, and the metal.

Methods are described that include contacting an alkyl ammonium metal halide film with an alkyl ammonium halide, where the alkyl ammonium metal halide film includes a first halogen and a metal, the alkyl ammonium halide includes a second halogen, such that the contacting forms an alkyl ammonium metal mixed-halide film that interfaces with the alkyl ammonium metal halide film, where the alkyl ammonium metal mixed-halide film includes the first halogen, the second halogen, and the metal.

A quantum dot-polymer composite film includes: a plurality of quantum dots, wherein a quantum dot of the plurality of quantum dots includes an organic ligand on a surface of a the quantum dot; a cured product of a photopolymerizable monomer including a carbon-carbon unsaturated bond; and a residue including a residue of a high-boiling point solvent, a residue of a polyvalent metal compound, or a combination thereof.