Method of manufacturing inverted organic solar microarray for applications in microelectromechanical systems

#This invention relates to spray-manufactured organic solar photovoltaic cell. Specifically, the invention provides a novel method of manufacturing organic solar photovoltaic cells using spray-deposition and the organic solar photovoltaic cell resulting therefrom.

#In recent years, energy consumption has drastically increased, due in part to increased industrial development throughout the world. The increased energy consumption has strained natural resources, such as fossil fuels, as well as global capacity to handle the byproducts of consuming these resources. Moreover, future demands for energy are expected in greatly increase, as populations increase and developing nations demand more energy. These factors necessitate the development of new and clean energy sources that are economical, efficient, and have minimal impact on the global environment.

#Photovoltaic cells have been used since the 1970s as an alternative to traditional energy sources. Because photovoltaic cells use existing energy from sunlight, the environmental impact from photovoltaic energy generation is significantly less than traditional energy generation. Most of the commercialized photovoltaic cells are inorganic solar cells using single crystal silicon, polycrystal silicon or amorphous silicon. Traditionally, solar modules made from silicon are installed on rooftops of buildings. However, these inorganic silicon-based photovoltaic cells are produced in complicated processes and at high costs, limiting the use of photovoltaic cells. These silicon wafer-based cells are brittle, opaque substances that limit their use. To solve such drawbacks, photovoltaics cell using organic materials have been actively researched.

#For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a perspective view of the novel inverted OPV cells containing sprayed-on layers.

#FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the novel organic photovoltaic cell as it receives photons having energy hv.

#The present invention for the fabrication of a see-through organic solar array via layer-by-layer (LBL) spray which is designed for integration with microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). The MEMS-OPV may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and the Examples included herein. However, before the present compounds, compositions, and methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to specific compounds, specific conditions, or specific methods, etc., unless stated as such. Thus, the invention may vary, and the numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

#As used herein, “about” means approximately or nearly and in the context of a numerical value or range set forth means±15% of the numerical.

#As used herein, “substantially” means largely if not wholly that which is specified but so close that the difference is insignificant.