Photovoltaics, Solid State Lighting and Information Display

In this project, we are investigating new ways to use old materials in photovoltaics, solid state lighting and display. Here, we create ultrathin, micro-scale single or multijunction solar cells and high performance inorganic light emitting diodes from wafer-based sources of material, using epitaxial liftoff, controlled fracture, anisotropic etching and other techniques. Distributing large scale arrays of such devices on unconventional substrates (e.g. plastic, rubber) and coupling them with unusual micro-optics for light capture yield engineering opportunities that lie beyond the capabilities of established technologies. We are studying the basic aspects of thermal and optical management in these systems, and we are developing new means for integration based on multilayer stacking and other approaches.