Session
Session VI: Advanced Techonologies—Section 1
Abstract
The provision of sufficient power for smallsats is hindered by the lack of collection area and the relatively high cost of efficient photovoltaic conversion. This paper describes the use of quantum dot nanotechnology being developed to improve both performance and cost of space power generation. The development is oriented towards the use of commercially available components and manufacturing technology to satisfy future smallsat space power needs. In the past 20 years, space power generation has evolved from low cost silicon cells to much higher cost gallium arsenide and multi-bandgap cells in order to better overcome the mismatch between the intrinsic bandgaps of photovoltaic converters to the available solar spectrum. The efficiency of conventional photovoltaic converters is also limited by the one-quantum-per-electron conversion process. Quantum Dots can be used to overcome both of these limitations by converting the solar spectrum to a more useful illumination spectrum in order to achieve higher performance from lower cost cells. A Quantum Dot Spectrum Converter can be implemented in a solar cell cover or a luminescent concentrator. Both of these implementations were analyzed for their potential to improve performance, cost and durability.
Presentation Slides
Quantum Dot Technology for Low-Cost Space Power Generation for Smallsats
The provision of sufficient power for smallsats is hindered by the lack of collection area and the relatively high cost of efficient photovoltaic conversion. This paper describes the use of quantum dot nanotechnology being developed to improve both performance and cost of space power generation. The development is oriented towards the use of commercially available components and manufacturing technology to satisfy future smallsat space power needs. In the past 20 years, space power generation has evolved from low cost silicon cells to much higher cost gallium arsenide and multi-bandgap cells in order to better overcome the mismatch between the intrinsic bandgaps of photovoltaic converters to the available solar spectrum. The efficiency of conventional photovoltaic converters is also limited by the one-quantum-per-electron conversion process. Quantum Dots can be used to overcome both of these limitations by converting the solar spectrum to a more useful illumination spectrum in order to achieve higher performance from lower cost cells. A Quantum Dot Spectrum Converter can be implemented in a solar cell cover or a luminescent concentrator. Both of these implementations were analyzed for their potential to improve performance, cost and durability.
