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SOLARPAINT: Understanding the durability of light sensitive materials: transferring insights between solar cell physics and the chemistry of paintings. University of Antwerp

Condensed Matter Theory, AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation), Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)

When light interacts with matter, it responds to this external stimulus in ways that depend on macroscopic properties but also on the microscopic details of the material. Pigments for instance, have a wavelength dependent reflection and absorption that causes the appearance of color in e.g. oil paintings. The absorption of light can also be used to capture the energy stored in solar light for use in photovoltaic solar cells. Perhaps ...

Identification of electrically active defects in materials for solar cells Ghent University

Henk Vrielinck

Department of Solid State Sciences

The purpose of this project is to identify defects in the absorber layer of solar cells, which limit the efficiency of the cells. The research focuses on thin film solar cells, mainly with CuIn(1-x)Ga(x)Se(2) absorber. Defects in solar cells and absorber bulk materials are characterized electrically, optically and structurally. The results of this reseach help directing the optimization of solar cells of this type.

BUKS2009 Workshop on MHD waves and seismology of the solar atmosphere. KU Leuven

Marcel Goossens

Plasma-astrophysics

6 research groups from Belgium, UK, and Spain (hence BUKS):The Solar Physics Group, Universitat de les Illes Balears, SpainThe Solar Physics and Space Plasma Research Centre, University of Sheffield, UKThe Solar and Magnetospheric Theory Group, University of St Andrews, UKThe Centre for Fusion, Space and Astrophysics, University of Warwick, UKThe Solar Physics department (SIDC) of the Royal Observatory of BelgiumThe Centre for Plasma ...

The solar wind and its transients through observations and modeling KU Leuven

Jasmina Magdalenić Zhukov

Plasma-astrophysics

Properties of the solar wind and its transients, i.e. coronal mass ejections (CMEs), are changing on the way from the Sun to Earth. This process was, up to now poorly constrained by observations, with the in-situ measurements routinely taken only at 1 AU. This project focuses on the estimation of coronal plasma characteristics (e.g. density, magnetic field) and mapping of the solar wind and the CME propagation with the aim of the accurate ...

Characterization and modelling of tandem solar cells and modules Hasselt University

Bart VERMANG

Materials Physics, Engineering Materials and Applications

The heart of this PhD thesis is two-fold: (1) detailed optical, electrical and material characterization of the absorbers and fully fabricated devices, and (2) modelling of the device physics of tandem solar cells in different electrical configurations (i.e., 2, 3 and 4-terminal). Characterization techniques such as ellipsometry, X-ray diffraction, UV photoelectron spectroscopy, time-resolved photoluminescence (PL), PL quantum yield, and ...

Genetic Algorithms for modelling, simulation and optimization of 3D-photovoltaic networks for next generation solar cells Hasselt University

Jean MANCA

Materials Physics, Applied Computer Science Lab

The introduction and development of genetic algorithms as optimization method can play an important role in the interdisciplinary domain of 'bulk heterojunction solar cells', a key concept for next generation solar cells, based on 3D interpenetrating photovoltaic networks of donor and acceptor nano-materials. These solar cells form an active interdisciplinary research domain, including materials chemistry, materials physics and engineering, but ...

Crystalline organic thin films with large exciton diffusion lengths for high efficiency organic solar cells. KU Leuven

Andre Stesmans

Semiconductor Physics, Informatics Section, ESAT - ELECTA, Electrical Energy and Computer Architectures, ESAT - MICAS, Microelectronics and Sensors

In this project we want to establish a basis for a new generation of low-cost organic solar cells. Organic solar cells are made by deposition of organic semiconducting films, which in turn consist of several layers of organic (i.e. carbon-based) molecules. Usually, this deposition leads to the formation of amorphous or polycrystalline films. However, measurements on individually hand-picked organic single crystals show greatly improved charge ...

Improving hybrid solar cells by controlled energy level alignment at donor-acceptor interfaces Hasselt University

Hans-Gerd BOYEN

Materials Physics

Organic/inorganic (hybrid) solar cells pose a very eligible alternative for classical silicon based photovoltaics, both with respect to ease of production and cost. The most fundamental difference between these newer device types and silicon-based ones is that upon absorption of light, bound electron-hole pairs (or excitons) are created rather than free charge carriers. Hence, in order to extract charges from such a solar cell, the excitons have ...

Preparation & Characterisation of Polymer:Fullerene Solar Cells Hasselt University

Jean MANCA

X-Lab, Materials Physics

So-called organic solar cells, based on mixtures of conjugated polymers and fullerenes are promising next generation solar cells due to a multitude of specific advantages : they can be processed using traditional printing techniques, they can be prepared in different colours, shapes and on various (flexible) substrates (glass, plastic, paper,..),.. The general scope of this project is the preparation and characterization of polymer:fullerene ...

How do students experience the universe? An investigation into students' conceptions about the universe beyond the solar system. KU Leuven

Jan Sermeus

Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Astronomy, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Instructional Psychology and Technology

Astronomy is a 'gateway science'. It is attractive because of the many beautiful images, it is accessible because everyone can look at the night sky and it is wonderful because of the extreme phenomena, enormous distances and times. Children do come into contact with astronomy several times throughout their childhood, both inside and outside school. Despite all that contact, the literature shows that children (as well as adults) have various ...

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