Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal Photovoltaic Device and Method for Making

Abstract

A novel photovoltaic device including a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material that is capable of converting solar energy to electrical energy and method for making. The device may optionally include a conductive container for holding the PDLC material. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention is directed to a self assembled PDLC material, a holographically synthesized PDLC material or a block co-polymer dispersed liquid crystal material. It is envisioned that the invention may be used a power source for any device, system or application. In particular, the invention may be used for any application involving the conversion of solar energy to electrical energy.

1 . A photovoltaic device comprising:
 a polymer dispersed liquid crystal material comprising:
 a conductive polymer; 
 conductive elements dispersed on said conductive polymer; and 
 conductive elements dispersed on a surface of said conductive polymer and within said conductive polymer in a manner whereby said polymer dispersed liquid crystal material comprise at least a central region which does not contain said conductive elements. 
 light absorbing liquid crystals dispersed in said conductive polymer, 
   wherein said polymer dispersed liquid crystal material is capable of generating electrical energy when exposed to radiation; and   at least one electric lead operatively associated with at least one of said conductive elements of said polymer dispersed liquid crystal material for conducting generated electrical energy.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said conductive polymer is selected from the group consisting of: PEDOT:PSS, polyaniline and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said conductive elements comprise at least one of metallic nanoparticles and water-complexed metallic nanoparticles. 
     
     
         4 . The device of claim  43 , wherein said metallic nanoparticles comprise at least one of silver, indium, tin, tin oxide, zinc, zinc oxide, silicon, lead and copper. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said liquid crystals comprise discotic liquid crystals. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said liquid crystals further comprise nematic liquid crystals, chiral nematic liquid crystals and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said polymer dispersed liquid crystal material is flexible. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said radiation is selected from the group consisting of near infrared radiation, ultraviolet radiation, visible radiation and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said polymer dispersed liquid  1  crystal material has a solar energy conversion efficiency of greater than 3%. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a container for retaining said polymer dispersed liquid crystal material, and wherein said container comprises electrically conductive elements. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said liquid crystals are randomly dispersed throughout said conductive polymer. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said liquid crystals are dispersed in said conductive polymer according to a holographic pattern. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said conductive polymer further comprises block co-polymers. 
     
     
         14 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A photovoltaic device comprising:
 a photo-curable polymer dispersed liquid crystal material comprising:
 a conductive polymer; 
 light absorbing liquid crystals dispersed in said conductive polymer, and 
 conductive elements dispersed on a surface of said conductive polymer and within said conductive polymer in a manner whereby said polymer dispersed liquid crystal material comprise at least a central region which does not contain said conductive elements. 
   
       wherein said polymer dispersed liquid crystal material is capable of generating electrical energy when exposed to radiation; and
 a container for retaining said polymer dispersed liquid crystal material, 
 
       wherein said container comprises electrically conductive elements; and
 an electric lead for conducting electrical energy operatively associated with said conductive elements of said polymer dispersed liquid crystal material and said electrically conductive elements of said container. 
 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein said polymer dispersed liquid crystal material is transparent and flexible. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said conductive elements form both an anode and a cathode of said device. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein said conductive elements form both an anode and a cathode of said device.