NASA STTR 2003 Solicitation

SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN (SBC):		RESEARCH INSTITUTION (RI):
NAME:	EIC Laboratories, Inc.	NAME:	University of Florida
ADDRESS:	111 Downey Street	ADDRESS:	223 Grinter Hall, PO Box 115500
CITY:	Norwood	CITY:	Gainesville
STATE/ZIP:	MA  02062-2612	STATE/ZIP:	FL  32611-5500
PHONE:	(781) 769-9450	PHONE:	(352) 392-1582

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR/PROJECT MANAGER (Name,Email)
Krishna C. Mandal
kmandal@eiclabs.com
U.S. Citizen or Legal Resident: Yes

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
There is a continuing need within NASA for solar cells and arrays with very high specific power densities (1000-5000 kW/kg) for generating power in a new generation of ultralight space payloads. An emerging technology with promise to meet these ambitious goals are solar cells based on very thin films of discrete layers or interpenetrating networks (IPNs) of organic donors and acceptors. It is also recognized in the field of thin film inorganic solar cells, that it is possible to stack cells tuned to the blue, green and red portions of the solar spectrum, thus harvesting photons with less degradation of their energy. Theoretical efficiencies for multijunction solar cells are ~70% compared to ~30% for single junction devices. Indeed, these multijunction solar cells hold the current record for solar conversion efficiency. In this proposed joint STTR program between EIC Laboratories and the University of Florida, we will develop multijunction organic donor-acceptor solar cells as a means to achieve higher efficiencies than can be realized with single junction devices. Phase II will continue with development of high mobility, bandgap engineered organic donors and acceptors, as well as develop three junction devices and scaled up devices on lightweight flexible polymer substrates.

POTENTIAL NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (LIMIT 100 WORDS)
NASA applications include power for microsatellites and planetary landers, and for powering adaptive optical flexible mirrors and antennas. Future needs include longterm power for deployed planetary exploration.

POTENTIAL NON-NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (LIMIT 100 WORDS)
Commercially, the solar cells promise to be a lightweight and economical alternative to traditional photovoltaics, with projected cost of <$1/peak watt. The global energy photovoltaic market is growing rapidly, and is projected to be >$1 billion by 2010.