Knowledge Transfer Involving HQP

Optimization of Nanoscale Interfaces in Organic PV Active Layers

Journal  Publications

  • A.L. Beaudry, J.M. LaForge, R.T Tucker, J.B. Sorge, N.L. Adamski, P. Li, M.T. Taschuk and M.J. Brett, “Directed Branch Growth in Aligned Nanowire Arrays”, Nano Letters 14, p 1797-1803, April 9, 2014
  • M.T. Taschuk, R.T. Tucker, J.M. LaForge, A.L. Beaudry, M.R. Kupsta and M.J. Brett, “Towards engineered branch placement: Unreal™ match between vapour-liquid-solid glancing angle deposition nanowire growth and simulation”, Journal of Applied Physics, 114, 244304/1-10 (2013). DOI: 10.1063/1.4854535.
  • J.M. LaForge, T.L. Cocker, A.L. Beaudry, K. Cui, R.T. Tucker, M.T. Taschuk, F.A. Hegmann and M.J. Brett, “Conductivity control of as-grown branched indium tin oxide nanowire networks”, Nanotechnology, 23, 035701/1- 9 (Dec 2013). DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/25/3/035701.
  • J.M. LaForge, B. Gyenes, S. Xu, L.K. Haynes, L.V. Titova, F.A. Hegmann and M.J. Brett, “Tuning iron pyrite thin film microstructure by sulfurization of columnar iron precursors”, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 117, 306-314 (Oct 2013). DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2013.06.028.
  • A. Lalany, R. Tucker, M. Taschuk, M. Fleischauer, and M. Brett, “Axial resistivity measurement of a nanopillar ensemble using a cross-bridge Kelvin architecture”, Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology A. 31(3), 031502/1-6 (Mar 2013)
  • A. Lalany, R. Tucker, M. Taschuk, M. Fleischauer, and M. Brett, “Axial resistivity measurement of a nanopillar ensemble using a cross-bridge Kelvin architecture”, accepted (Feb 19, 2013) by Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology A.
  • A.L. Beaudry, J.M. LaForge, R.T. Tucker, P. Li, M.T. Taschuk and M.J. Brett, “Flux engineering for indium tin oxide nanotree crystal alignment and height-dependent branch orientation”, Crystal Growth and Design, 13(1), 212-219 (Jan 2013). DOI: 10.1021/cg3013798.
  • R.T. Tucker, N.A. Beckers, M.D. Fleischauer and M.J. Brett, “Electron beam deposited Nb-doped TiO2 toward nanostructured transparent conductive thin films”, Thin Solid Films, 525, 28-34 (Dec 2012). DOI:10.1016/j.tsf.2012.10.075.
  • R.T. Tucker, A.L. Beaudry, J.M. LaForge, M.T. Taschuk and M.J. Brett, “A little ribbing: flux starvation engineering for rippled ITO nanotree branches”, Applied Physics Letters 101(19), 193101/1-4 (Nov 2012). DOI:10.1063/1.4764508. Journal Cover.
  • M. Thomas, W. Li, Z.S. Bo and M.J. Brett, “Inverted photovoltaic cells of nanocolumnar C60 filled with solution processed small molecule 3-Q”, Organic Electronics 13(11), 2647–2652 (Nov 2012). DOI:10.1016/j.orgel.2012.07.039.
  • J.G. Van Dijken and M.J. Brett, “Dry etching of copper phthalocyanine thin films: effects on morphology and surface stoichiometry”, Molecules 17(9), 10119-10130 (Aug 2012). DOI:10.3390/molecules170910119.
  • J.G. Van Dijken and M.J. Brett, “Nanopillar ITO electrodes via argon plasma etching”, J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A 30 (4), 040606/1-5 (June 2012). DOI:10.1116/1.4729592.
  • J.G. Van Dijken, M.D. Fleischauer and M.J. Brett, “Controlled nanostructuring of CuPc thin films via glancing angle deposition for idealized organic photovoltaic architectures”, Journal of Materials Chemistry, 21, 1013-1019 ( Jan 2011). DOI: 10.1039/C0JM03026K.
  • N.J. Gerein, M.D. Fleischauer and M.J. Brett, “Effect of TiO2 film porosity and thermal processing on TiO2-P3HT hybrid materials and photovoltaic device performance”, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 94(12), 2343-2350 (Dec 2010).
  • D.A. Rider, B.J. Worfolk, K.D. Harris, A. Lalany, K. Shahbazi, M.D. Fleischauer, M.J. Brett and J.M. Buriak, “Stable inverted polymer/fullerene solar cells using a cationic polythiophene-modified PEDOT:PSS cathodic interface”, Advanced Functional Materials, 20(15), 2404–2415 (Aug 2010). DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201000304.

Journal Publications (Submitted)

  • M. Thomas, B. Worfolk, D.A. Rider, M.T. Taschuk, J.M. Buriak, M.J. Brett, “C60 Fullerene Nanocolumns – Polythiophene Heterojunctions for Inverted Organic Photovoltaic Cells”, under revisions after referee’s comments for ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces (reviews received March 20, 2011).

Conference Proceedings

  • J.G. Van Dijken, N.L.-Y. Wu, M.D. Fleischauer, J.M. Buriak and M.J. Brett, “Morphology control and nanoscale patterning of small molecule organic thin films”, Proc. SPIE 8435, 84350R/1-8 (Jun 2012). DOI:10.1117/12.922659
  • J.G. Van Dijken, M.D. Fleischauer, M.J. Brett. “Advanced nanostructuring of metal phthalocyanines for organic photovoltaic devices,” Proc. 37th IEEE Photov. Spec. Conf. (2011).

Manuscripts (In Preparation)

  • S. Demtchenko: Modelling of PEDOT/nSi diode heterojunctions
  • S. Fergusson: Vacuum deposition of conductive polymers
  • G. Bacic: Junction formation on black silicon with conductive polymers

Presentations (Oral)

  • A.L. Beaudry, J.M. LaForge, T.L. Cocker, R.T. Tucker, M.T. Taschuk, F.A. Hegmann, and M.J. Brett, (2013) “Flux engineering for 3D ITO nanowire network transparent electrodes” (oral). Society of Vacuum Coaters TechCon 2014, Chicago, IL, May 3 – 8, 2014.
  • R.T. Tucker, S. Elmallah, M.T. Taschuk, A.L. Beaudry, J.M. LaForge, S. Garner, P. Cimo, and M.J. Brett, (2013) ” Robust indium tin oxide nanowire networks on flexible Corning® WillowTM Glass” (oral). FlexTech 2014, Phoenix, AZ, Feb 3 – 6, 2014.
  • R.T. Tucker, A.L. Beaudry, J.M. LaForge, M.T. Taschuk, and M.J. Brett, (2013) ” Nanowires via flux engineering: encoding rippled branches” (poster). Nanowires 2013, Rehovot, Israel, Nov 12 – 15, 2013.
  • S. Demtchenko, S. McGarry and N.G. Tarr, “Effects of non-Idealities of the organic conductor on the electrical characteristics of PEDOT: PSS/SiO2/Si Schottky junctions, presentation at MRS Fall meeting, Boston, MA, October 2013.
  • A.L. Beaudry, J.M. LaForge, R.T. Tucker, P. Li, M.T. Taschuk, and M.J. Brett, (2013) “Branch placement and competitive crystal alignment in nanotree arrays” (oral). 5th International Conference on One Dimensional Nanomaterials, Annecy, France, Sept 23 – 26, 2013.
  • A.L. Beaudry, J.M. LaForge, R.T. Tucker, P. Li, M.T. Taschuk, and M.J. Brett, (2013) “Engineered three-dimensional indium tin oxide nanotree transparent electrodes” (poster). 28th European PV Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, Paris, France, Sept 30 – Oct 4, 2013.
  • M. Kupsta, P. Li, A. Beaudry, J. LaForge, R.Tucker, M. Taschuk, and M. Brett, (2013) “Combining focused ion beam microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for quantitative analysis of indium tin oxide nanotrees using tomography” (oral). 40th Microscopical Society of Canada Annual Meeting, Victoria, BC Canada, June 19 – 21, 2013.
  • R.T. Tucker, “Nanostructured electrodes: a platform technology for energy conversion”, invited talk at the ACAMP Cleantech Seminar, Edmonton, AB, Canada. Mar 13, 2013.
  • B. Gyenes, J.M. LaForge and M.J. Brett, “Nanostructured iron pyrite films for solar applications”, oral presentation at the University of Alberta Undergraduate Research Symposium, Edmonton, AB. Nov 15, 2012.
  • A.L. Beaudry, R.T. Tucker, J.M. LaForge, M. T. Taschuk and M.J. Brett. “Engineered indium tin oxide nanowhiskers via Vapour-Liquid-Solid Glancing Angle Deposition”, oral presentation at AVS 59th International Symposium & Exhibition, Tampa, FL, USA. Oct 28- Nov 2, 2012.
  • J.M. LaForge, G. L. Ingram, M. T. Taschuk and M.J. Brett. “Flux engineering to control in-plane crystal and morphological orientation” oral presentation at AVS 59th International Symposium & Exhibition, Tampa, FL, USA. Oct 28- Nov 2, 2012.
  • A. Lalany, R.T. Tucker, M.T. Taschuk, M.D. Fleischauer and M.J. Brett, “Through-post electrical characterization of GLAD thin film”, oral presentation at AVS 59th International Symposium & Exhibition, Tampa, FL, USA. Oct 28- Nov 2, 2012.
  • R.T. Tucker, A.L. Beaudry, J.M. LaForge, M.T. Taschuk and M.J. Brett. “Advanced indium tin oxide nanowhisker control by Vapour-Liquid-Solid Glancing Angle Deposition”, oral presentation at European Materials Research Society Fall Meeting 2012, Warsaw, Poland. Sept 17-21, 2012.
  • P. Li, M. Kupsta, K, Cui, M. Malac, H. Hosseinkhannazer, Y. Ning, J. LaForge, A. Beaudry and M. Brett. “Electron tomography applied to an indium tin oxide nanowhisker”, Microscopy and Microanalysis, Phoenix, AR, USA. July 29- Aug 2, 2012.
  • B.J. Worfolk, R.T. Tucker, M. Thomas, D.A. Rider, A. Lalany, M.T. Taschuk, K.D. Harris, M.J. Brett and J.M. Buriak, “Glancing angle deposition as a fabrication technique for organic photovoltaics”, poster presentation at the 95th Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition, Calgary, AB, Canada, May 26-30, 2012.
  • B.J. Worfolk, J.M. LaForge, M.J. Brett and J.M. Buriak, “Nanostructure and surface energy control of iron pyrite thin films for photovoltaics”, poster presentation at the 95th Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition, Calgary, AB, Canada, May 26-30, 2012.
  • R.T. Tucker, D.A. Rider, J.G. Van Dijken, M. Thomas, B.J. Worfolk, A. Lalany, M.D. Fleischauer, M.T. Taschuk, K.D. Harris, J.M. Buriak and M.J. Brett, “Nanostructured organic photovoltaic architectures via glancing angle deposition”, oral presentation at Next Generation Solar (Photovoltaics Canada), Montreal, QC, Canada, May 14-15, 2012.
  • A.L. Beaudry, R.T. Tucker, J.M. LaForge, M.T. Taschuk and M.J. Brett, “Vapour liquid solid glancing angle deposition of indium tin oxide nanowhiskers”, poster presentation at Next Generation Solar (Photovoltaics Canada), Montreal, QC, Canada, May 14-15, 2012. Award winning poster: Public Choice Award and Second Place Award.
  • C. Soza-Cansines, N. Cranston, M. Rahman, M. Turnbull and N.G. Tarr, “Staebler-Wronski Degradation of RF Sputtered Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon”, Next Generation Solar (Photovoltaics Canada), Montreal, QC, Canada, May 14-15, 2012.
  • J.G. Van Dijken, N.L.-Y. Wu, M.D. Fleischauer, J.M. Buriak and M.J. Brett, “Morphology control and nanoscale patterning of small molecule organic thin films”, SPIE Photonics Europe 2012, Brussels, Belgium, April 16-19, 2012.
  • J.M. LaForge, B.J. Worfolk, J.M. Buriak, and M.J. Brett, “Sulfurized iron pyrite nanostructured films for photovoltaics”, poster presentation at MRS Spring 2012, San Francisco, CA, USA, Apr 9-13, 2012.
  • J.G. Van Dijken, M.D. Fleischauer, M.J. Brett. “Advanced Nanostructuring of MetalPhthalocyanines for Organic Photovoltaic Devices,” Proc. 37th IEEE Photov. Spec. Conf.(2011).  Oral presentation at Seattle, June 20, 2011.
  • A. Amos-Binks, B. Nemeth, S. Demtchenko, S.P. McGarry and N.G. Tarr, “RF Sputtered aSi:H Solar Cells with Conductive Polymer Emitters”, oral presentation at Photonics North 2011, Ottawa, ON, Canada, May 16-18, 2011.
  • M. Thomas, B.J. Worfolk, D.A. Rider, M.T. Taschuk, J.M. Buriak, M.J. Brett, “Engineered morphologies for inverted organic photovoltaic cells: Glancing Angle Deposited C60 fullerene nanocolumns”, oral presentation at Photonics North 2011, Ottawa, ON, Canada, May 16-18, 2011.
  • J.G. Van Dijken, M.D. Fleischauer, M.J. Brett, “Nanostructured metal phthalocyanines for organic solar cells”, oral presentation at Photonics North 2011, Ottawa, ON, Canada, May 16-18, 2011.
  • B.J. Worfolk, D.A. Rider, R.T. Tucker, J.A.M. Fordyce, M.D. Fleischauer, K.D. Harris, M.J. Brett and J.M. Buriak, “Assembly of semiconductor nanorod/polymer nanocomposite multilayer films for photovoltaics”, 93rd Canadian Society for Chemistry Conference and Exhibition, Toronto, ON, Canada, May 29 – June 2 , 2010.
  • S. Demtchenko, S. McGarry, N.G. Tarr, “Characterization and Assessment of a Novel Hybrid Organic/Inorganic Metal-Insulator-Semiconductor Structure for Photovoltaic Applications”, SPIE Photonics North, Niagara Falls, June 2010.
  • S. Demtchenko, S. McGarry, P. Gordon, S. Barry, and N.G. Tarr, “Characterization and assessment of a novel hybrid organic/inorganic metal-insulator-semiconductor structure for photovoltaic applications”, Proc. SPIE v. 7750, p. 77502Y (May 2010).
  • S. Demtchenko, P. Gordon, S. McGarry, S. Barry, “Hybrid Organic/Inorganic Metal-Insulator-Semiconductor (MIS) Photovoltaic Device”, MRS Spring Meeting, April 2010.

Presentations (Poster)

  • A.L. Beaudry, J.M. Laforge, R.T. Tucker, P. Li, M.T. Taschuk and M.J. Brett, “Flux engineering for height dependent nanotree morphological control”, poster presentation at Materials Research Society Spring Meeting, San Francisco ,CA, USA, April 1 – April 5, 2013.
  • R.T. Tucker, A.L. Beaudry, J.M. Laforge, B.J. Worfolk, M.T. Taschuk, J.M. Buriak and M.J. Brett, “Engineered branched ITO nanowires for 3D OPV electrodes”, poster presentation at Materials Research Society Spring Meeting, San Francisco, CA, USA, April 1 – April 5, 2013.
  • B.J. Worfolk, R.T. Tucker, M. Thomas, D.A. Rider, A. Lalany, M.T. Taschuk, K.D. Harris, M.J. Brett and J.M. Buriak, “Glancing angle deposition as a fabrication technique for organic photovoltaics”, poster presentation at the 95th Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition, Calgary, AB, Canada, May 26-30, 2012.
  • B.J. Worfolk, J.M. LaForge, M.J. Brett and J.M. Buriak, “Nanostructure and surface energy control of iron pyrite thin films for photovoltaics”, poster presentation at the 95th Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition, Calgary, AB, Canada, May 26-30, 2012.
  • A.L. Beaudry R.T. Tucker, J.M. LaForge, M.T. Taschuk and M.J. Brett, “Vapour liquid solid glancing angle deposition of indium tin oxide nanowhiskers”, poster presentation at Next Generation Solar (Photovoltaics Canada), Montreal, QC, Canada, May 14-15, 2012.
  • J.M. LaForge, B.J. Worfolk, J.M. Buriak and M.J. Brett, “Morphological control of sulfurized iron pyrite with nanostructured iron precursors”, poster presentation at Next Generation Solar (Photovoltaics Canada), Montreal, QC, Canada, May 14-15, 2012.
  • M. Thomas, B.J. Worfolk, D.A. Rider, M.T. Taschuk, J.M. Buriak, and M.J. Brett, “Inverted organic photovoltaic cellsbased on Glancing Angle Deposited C60 fullerene nanocolumns”, poster presentation at the 37th IEEE Photovoltaics Specialists Conference, Seattle, WA, USA, June 19-24, 2011. Best Poster Award.
  • J.G. Van Dijken, A. Lalany, M.D. Fleischauer and M.J. Brett, “Tailoring CuPc nanostructures via Glancing Angle Deposition”, poster presentation at the 35th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, Honolulu, HI, June 20-25, 2010. (Best poster award winner)

Education And Outreach

  • N.G. Tarr provided lecture notes and materials for a short course on photovoltaics offered to Ottawa-area high school students by Carleton PhD student E. Ghias-Begloo in May 2015
  • N.G. Tarr provided lecture notes and materials for a short course on photovoltaics offered to Ottawa-area high school students by Carleton PhD student E. Ghias-Begloo in May 2014
  • N.G. Tarr provided lecture notes and materials for a short course on photovoltaics offered to Ottawa-area high school students by Carleton PhD student E. Ghias-Begloo in May 2013.
  • N.G. Tarr has continued to support the laboratory component of a “hands on” fourth year course in photovoltaic devices at Carleton in which students design, fabricate and test a cSi cell.

Network In The Media

  • Two PhD students from the Brett group (van Dijken, Thomas) and one from the Buriak group (Worfolk) entered a business planning competition based on long-lived organic solar cells.  They were awarded “runners-up” in the final TEC Edmonton Venture Prize Competition on April 27, 2011.

Patents Filed

  • GLAD ITO nanotrees (USA)
  • R.T. Tucker, A.L. Beaudry, J.M. LaForge, M.T. Taschuk, and M.J. Brett. “Branched Nanowires”, United States Patent Application, USSN 14-092720, Nov 27, 2013. Patent Pending.
  • M. Brett, J. Buriak, M. Fleischauer, N. Gerein, K. Harris, S. McClure, D. Rider, “Photovoltaic Device Based on Conformal Coating of Columnar Structures”: U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/370,429, International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/CA2009/000132, Canadian Patent Application Serial No. 2,713,910, European Patent Application Serial No. 09709521.0

Intellectual Property Disclosure

  • R.T.Tucker, M.T. Taschuk, M.J. Brett, “High performance, transparent conductor free organic solar cells”, Report of Invention submitted March 15, 2011

Technology Transfer

  • April 27, 2100: Two of M. Brett’s graduate students (J. van Dijken and M. Thomas) together with B. Worfolk from J. Buriak’s group were runner’s up in the TEC Edmonton Venture Prize competition for technology start-ups.  Their business proposal was based on long-lived organic solar cells.  This is a high-profile competition in Alberta.