Project Team
Students
Shane Kephart
Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology
Penn State Altoona
Faculty Mentors
Kofi Adu
Penn State Altoona
Physics
Gary Weisel
Penn State Altoona
Physics
Nestor Lopez
Penn State University Park
Engineering
Project
https://sites.psu.edu/mcreu/files/formidable/2/Adu-Presentation.pdf
Project Video
Project Abstract
Single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have recently gained interest for their optical properties. SWCNTs could be the next step in increasing solar cell efficiency through their ability to absorb a much broader band of wavelengths than traditional solar cells. By vertically aligning the SWCNTs rather than horizontally aligning them, the interactions between the tubes will be reduced resulting in a higher efficiency. The optical properties of SWCNTs are directly related to the efficiency of the solar cell. We review the relationship between reflectance, absorbance, and refractive index of vertically aligned SWCNTs between 2-20 microns. We plan to perform similar investigations in the ultraviolet and visible regions.
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