A project from Oklahoma State University was selected to receive a $750,000 grant from NASA.
The grant will go toward efforts in exploring a fully Vacuum Thermal Evaporation (VTE)-processed halide perovskite solar cell using only solid precursors for developing a simple solar panel manufacturing process suitable for space.
Dr. Do Young Kim’s research group has investigated the possibility of halide perovskite solar cells in the space power markets for their low cost, low weight, adaptability to flexible architecture and tolerance to high energy particle irradiation.
“The significant radiation tolerance of halide perovskites is attributed to the details of defect formation in the material,” Kim said. “This leads to interfacial or energy mismatches in the transport layers within the structure rather than mid-gap defect centers that arise in more traditional systems. Based on these perovskite solar cell research experiences for space application, we could prepare this new NASA project for perovskite solar cells for in-space assembly.”
Silicon and traditional III-V solar cells are less radiation tolerant to proton fluences, whereas halide perovskites appear to be the opposite. The absorber layer of these cells seems to be relatively unaffected by proton irradiation at energies and fluences that are prohibitive for traditional space solar power systems.
A major challenge in halide perovskites is the vulnerability of perovskite solar cells to oxygen and moisture. However, that issue is quite irrelevant in space.
“The environmental conditions limiting the implementation of perovskites terrestrially are less problematic in space,” Kim said. “This coupled with their lightweight, the potential for low specific power and packing volume, and the potential for deployable implementation; along with the ease of processing, outstanding performance, and remarkable radiation tolerance all suggest perovskite thin film solar cells are excellent candidates for space applications.”
According to NASA, they based the project selection on merit and alignment with the organization's missions. Each grantee will focus on a variety of research needs, including deep space exploration, sustainable manufacturing in space, and advancements in technology and science that will also benefit humanity.
“While research in this area is in its infancy, the proposed technology in this program has significant potential for practical space power systems on the moon and for establishing a sustainable long-term exploration of the moon’s surface,” Kim said. “Therefore, this NASA project is of strong interest to the Science Mission Directorate, the Space Technology Mission Directorate and the Human Explorations and Operations Directive at NASA.”
Kim said he is excited to further his research over the next three years, and is thankful for many of his peers that have supported him along the way.
“I am so happy and very honored to be selected to receive such a great research grant,” Kim said. “I would like to give special thanks to our NASA Oklahoma EPSCoR program for their very dedicated and thorough support in securing this NASA grant. It would not have been easy to be selected as this grant recipient without the support of not only the other NASA project team members at the University of Oklahoma and the University of Tulsa, but also OSU peers, especially in materials science and engineering.”
