Daniel Corzo
Ph.D. Candidate supervised by Prof. Derya Baran

 

Event Location: Al-Kindi Building (Bldg. 5), Room 5220
Zoom Link: https://kaust.zoom.us/j/98102980641

 

ABSTRACT: As the interest in Internet-of-everything applications continue diversifying, wireless nods including sensors, wearables, smart-objects, and health and environmental monitors will require mature technologies which can harvest energy from the environment in which they are installed. Out of the many energy forms, solar and artificial light are constantly present and the utilization of third generation solar technologies including  organic photovoltaics can provide tremendous advantages, flexibility, semitransparency, and lightweight. Additionally, the incredibly low environmental footprint and reduced manufacturing costs associated with solution processing  can provide an edge for entry into the industrial and consumer markets.

While the utilization of conjugated polymers and nonfullerene has elevated the efficiencies of organic photovoltaic for commercialization, increasing the technological readiness level requires the development of protocols to translate lab performance of state-the-art-materials to scalable manufacturing techniques that can be adapted for roll-to-roll processing.

This dissertation demonstrates the full fabrication of high-performance OPV devices through techniques such as inkjet printing and slot-die coating. The development of ink formulation frameworks based on solvent engineering, rheological and interface properties, and solubility parameters sets the base for standardized high-yield processes with reduced environmental footprint in line with circular carbon initiatives. Moreover, the utilization of engineering strategies involving intrinsic properties of materials, device architectures, and integration enables the development of complex energy harvesting and sensing devices for potential utilization in agrivoltaics and biosensing.