Diffusion Current

Michelle Acosta and Michael Pascual

Overview
Diffusion
Diffusion current
Example
Diffusion
Diffusion - Particles flow from high concentration to low
concentration
No external forces necessary
Particles move using thermal motion
Movement of charged particles result in a current
Diffusion Current
Occurs with or with out applied Electric Field
Independent of permittivity
Direction of the current depends on the change in carrier
concentrations
Examples
Organic Solar Cells
Michelle Acosta
Andrew Lee
Michael Pascual
What is an Organic Solar Cell?
Relatively new technology
Third generation solar cell
Made of polymer/plastic
Large molecule that are electrically neutral
Held together by chemical bonds
Dye-sensitized solar cell
The electrode is put into a dye bath containing dye molecules
Left in dye for 24 hours
Band Diagram
LUMO Lowest unoccupied
molecular orbital
HOMO Highest occupied
molecular orbital
Advantages
Cheap
Mechanically flexible thin film substrates 1000 times
thinner than silicon cells
Low environmental effect
Easily customizable arbitrary colors
Disadvantages
Low stability
Degradation in both light and dark conditions
Low energy conversion efficiency
5% as opposed to 15% for silicon based cells
Short life-span
Standard PV ~ 25 years
Organic ~ 5 years
Possible Applications
Cars
Remote Controls
Mobile devices
Cell Phones
Laptops
Tablets
Military
Electricity for tents
Night vision scopes
GPS
Drones

Questions?
References
http://www.brighthub.com/environment/renewable-
energy/articles/95572.aspx
http://goodcleantech.pcmag.com/solar-energy/280271-new-
organic-solar-cell-technology-increases-its-lifespan
http://optics.org/news/4/1/36

http://ww w.youtube .com/watc
h?v=3KRHJ SOgzcw