Tuned solar concentrators and devices and methods using them
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsJonathan K. Mapel, Marc Alexander Baldo, Carlijn L. Mulder, Carmel Rotschild, Michael James Currie, Phillip D. Reusswig
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Abstract
Solar concentrators are disclosed that improve the efficiency of PV cells and systems using them. The solar concentrators may be designed such that they include one or more tuned chromophores that emit light substantially in a single direction to a PV cell. Various materials and components of the solar concentrators are also described.
Claims32
A solar concentrator comprising a substrate and at least first and second closely spaced chromophores disposed on or in the substrate in a manner to receive at least some optical radiation, the first chromophore effective to absorb at least one wavelength of at least some of the optical radiation and further effective to transfer at least some energy by Förster energy transfer to the second chromophore, the second chromophore effective to emit at least some of the transferred energy at a wavelength that is red-shifted from the wavelength absorbed by the first chromophore, in which second chromophore is tuned to provide light emission in substantially one direction.
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A solar concentrator comprising:
- a substrate;
- and
- a composition disposed on or in the substrate in a manner to absorb at least some optical radiation, the composition comprising at least one tuned chromophore assembly effective to provide emission in substantially one direction.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.