Methodology of the first combined in-flight and ex situ stability assessment of organic-based solar cells for space appl
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stitute for Materials Research, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek 3590, Belgium; and IMEC vzw – Division IMOMEC, Diepenbeek 3590, Belgium
Rob Cornelissen and Jelle Vodnik X-LAB, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek 3590, Belgium
Jaroslav Hruby and Wim Deferme
Institute for Materials Research, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek 3590, Belgium; and IMEC vzw – Division IMOMEC, Diepenbeek 3590, Belgium
Jean V. Manca X-LAB, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek 3590, Belgium (Received 1 December 2017; accepted 7 May 2018)
One of the key aims of the OSCAR project (Optical Sensors based on CARbon-materials)—in the framework of the REXUS/BEXUS program—was to explore the use of organic-based solar cells for (aero)space applications through the in-flight investigation of devices’ performance during a stratospheric balloon flight. Next to the in-flight experiments, complementary lab stability assessment tests were performed. In this contribution, both the in-flight and lab experimental methodology and the corresponding technical aspects will be discussed in detail. Furthermore, attention will be paid to the issues of packaging and radiation. The importance of the OSCAR-balloon experiment is not only that it has demonstrated for the first time the use of organic-based solar cells in (aero)space conditions but also that it can be considered as the pioneering start of specific stability assessment methodologies for organic-based solar cells for (aero)space applications.
I. INTRODUCTION—THE OSCAR-MISSION
The emerging class of organic-based photovoltaics— ranging from fully organic solar cells to hybrid organic– inorganic perovskite solar cells—are presented here as a potentially disruptive technology for solar energy generation in space applications, predominantly due to their champion power-to-mass ratio.1 Furthermore, the inherent flexibility of the thin organic layers provides a way of transporting solar cells more densely packed as cargo. Lastly, a concluding asset can be found in their printability. Printing technology could therefore provide a safe, fast pathway for local organic solar cell production, eliminating the immediate need of new shipments from Earth. All these benefits are in contrast with the rigid inorganic solar cell technology (e.g., Si, GaAs, etc.), which has been the main aerospace technology to date. The very recent OSCAR project (Optical Sensors based on CARbon-materials) aimed to explore the use of novel generation carbon-based (i.e., polymer:fullerene, small molecule:fullerene, perovskite, diamond) solar a)
Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: [email protected] b) These authors contributed equally to this work. DOI: 10.1557/jmr.2018.156
cells/optical sensors for (aero)space applications. This has been achieved through the in situ investigation of devices’ performance during a stratospheric balloon flight in October 2016 (Fig. 1) in combination with ex situ lab experiments. OSCAR flew on a 30,000 m3 Helium propelled stratospheric balloon in the 23rd cycle of the REXUS/ BEXUS program, launched from the Es
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