Lyndsey McMillon-Brown (NASA Glenn)
Date: Mon. November 15th, 2021, 12:45 pm-1:45 pmLocation: at Zoom (Meeting ID: 948 4886 6824 Passcode: 616859)
Website: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ihX64hMAAAAJ&hl=en
Perovskite-Based Photovoltaics for Applications in Space
Lyndsey McMillon-Brown
NASA Glenn Research Center
Abstract. — In support of a sustainable human-lunar presence there is a need for very large (>100 kW) and high-voltage-capable solar arrays, estimated to cost over $150M. Perovskite-based thin film photovoltaics offer substantial advantages over state-of-the-art solar arrays from the perspective of manufacturing of large arrays. Many of the challenges perovskite solar cells experience in terrestrial operations (e.g., degradation caused by moisture and oxygen exposure) are not applicable in long-term space applications, making them well suited for the space environment. To become the next generation space photovoltaic technology, these solar cells must present thermal and vacuum stability and achieve relatively high power conversion efficiencies. Here, I will provide an overview of NASA Glenn Research Center’s Space Technology Mission Directorate funded research program to develop perovskite photovoltaic devices for long-duration operation in space. I will review recent materials advances in the development of space compatible interlayers. Data suggest that judicious choice of material interlayers plays a strong role in performance under thermal and vacuum stress conditions. I will share methodology used to test perovskite cells in preparation for space qualification, and I will present recent results from a long duration flight of a perovskite MAPbI3 film, which survived 10 months in orbit with little to no chemical degradation.
Host: Harsh Mathur.