Elias Siores
University of Bolton, UK
Title: Hybrid photovoltaic-piezoelectric flexible device for energy harvesting from nature
Biography
Biography: Elias Siores
Abstract
Statement of the Problem: Photovoltaic materials have unique conversion characteristic that they can convert sun light to electrical energy. However, photovoltaic energy can be expensive if the solar radiation in a particular region is not abundant. When the solar radiation is scarce in a region, there is presence of wind and rainfall. If flexible solar cells are coupled with flexible piezoelectric films then the hybrid structure can generate energy from solar radiation, wind and rainfall. This work focuses on nontransparent hybrid structure which contains copper and aluminum electrodes and eliminates the use of costly indium tin oxide (ITO).
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Hybrid film has been developed by depositing organic photovoltaic cell based on P3HT and PCBM on a piezoelectric film under ambient room conditions and tested. Findings: The hybrid film produced an open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.45 V and a short circuit current density (Jsc) of 0.43 mA/cm2 under solar simulator and a peak power of 85 μW when subjected to a turbulent wind speed up to 10 m/sec (36 km/ hour) in a custom built wind tunnel.
Conclusion & Significance: HPP film has been developed by depositing organic photovoltaic cell based on P3HT: PCBM on a piezoelectric film under the ambient room conditions. HPP film produced was ITO free and cost effective since the usage of expensive clean room procedure has been eliminated. Experimental results proved that the HPP film produced was able to convert both wind energy and solar energy into electrical energy.
Recent Publications
- Vatansever D, Hadimani RL, Shah T, Siores E (2013) Hybrid Photovoltaic-Piezoelectric Flexible Device for Energy Harvesting from Nature. Advances in Science and Technology 77: 297-301
- Hadimani RL, Bayramol DV, Soin N, Shah T, Qian L, Shi S, Siores E (2013) Continuous production of piezoelectric PVDF fibre for e-textile applications. Smart Materials and Structures, 22(7): 075017.
- Hadimani MLR, Siores E, Vatansever D, Prekas K (2011) U.S. Patent Application No. 13/876,162.
- Soin N, Shah TH, Anand SC, Geng J, Pornwannachai W, Mandal P, Siores E (2014) Novel “3-D spacer” all fibre piezoelectric textiles for energy harvesting applications. Energy & Environmental Science, 7(5): 1670-1679.
- Matsouka D, Vassiliadis S, Prekas K, Bayramol DV, Soin N, Siores E (2016) On the Measurement of the Electrical Power Produced by Melt Spun Piezoelectric Textile Fibres. Journal of Electronic Materials, 45(10): 5112-5126.