| AVS 56th International Symposium & Exhibition | |
| Thin Film | Monday Sessions |
| Session TF3-MoA |
| Session: | Energy Applications and Scaling |
| Presenter: | F.B. Prinz, Stanford University |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
Selective mass and charge transfer drive energy conversion in any living system. Not unlike nature, man-made energy conversion systems such as fuel cells depend on membranes with selective ionic conduction.
Our experiments have shown that we can fabricate freestanding oxide membranes with a thickness of tens of nanometers using Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD). In particular, we used Yttria stabilized Zirconia and Gadolinia doped Ceria as electrolyte membranes for thecreation of a new class Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) which are capable of operating several hundred degrees centigrade below the temperature of traditional SOFCs. First principles calculations help in understanding oxide ion incorporation and ion conductivity as a function of dopant concentration.
ALD promises improved thin films for photovoltaics. Precise depth control of photon absorbing layers allows engineering of bandgaps over a wide range of energy levels. However, high grain boundary density in ALD films may increase exciton recombination rates, thereby reducing conversion efficiency.