Energy-Efficient Transparent Solar Film
AssigneeSharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
InventorsAkinori Hashimura, Douglas Tweet, Gary Hinch, Alexey Koposov
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Abstract
An energy-efficient transparent solar film is presented. The solar film has a first film layer with metal nanostructures. The metal nanostructures have plasmon resonances in wavelength bands greater than, or both less than and greater than visible wavelengths, depending on size and shape. The metal nanostructures have no plasmon resonance at visible wavelengths. In another aspect, metal oxide nanocrystals are formed with the first film layer. The metal oxide nanocrystals have absorption in a band of wavelengths less than visible wavelengths, and absorption in a band of wavelengths greater than visible wavelengths. Also provided is a solar film window and fabricating method.
Claims26
An energy-efficient transparent solar film comprising:
- a first film layer including metal nanostructures having plasmon resonances in wavelength bands selected from a first group consisting of wavelengths greater than visible wavelengths, and wavelengths both less than and greater than visible wavelengths, the metal nanostructures having no plasmon resonance at visible wavelengths;
- and,
- wherein the first film layer transmits incident light more efficiently in the visible wavelengths than in the second group of wavelengths.
A method for fabricating a solar film optical absorption material, the method comprising:
- preparing a precursor mixture including zinc, aluminum, and a material selected from a group consisting of oleylamine, and a mono alcohol with a high boiling point;
- and,
- purifying the precursor;
- forming aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) nanocrystals;
- and,
- configuring the AZO nanocrystals with a substrate transparent in the visible wavelengths of light.
An energy-efficient window comprising:
- a first substrate with a first surface and a second surface, transparent in visible wavelengths of light;
- metal nanostructures overlying the first substrate first surface having plasmon resonances at wavelength bands selected from a first group consisting of wavelengths greater than visible wavelengths, and wavelengths both less than and greater than visible wavelengths, the metal nanostructures having no plasmon resonance at visible wavelengths;
- and,
- wherein the window transmits light incident to the substrate second surface more efficiently in the visible wavelengths than in the wavelengths selected from the group.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.