Air Force Awards UToledo Up To $15M to Develop New Materials for Space-Based Solar Energy Technologies

Air Force Awards UToledo Up To $15M to Develop New Materials for Space-Based Solar Energy Technologies

The University of Toledo is set to receive up to $15 million from the Air Force Research Laboratory in support of a team of physicists exploring new ways to harvest solar energy in outer space.

Dr. Randall Ellingson is leading the project that builds on decades of pioneering research into thin-film solar technology at UToledo, which established its Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization in 2007. It also builds on a long-standing relationship between UToledo's Wright Center and the Air Force Research Laboratory, which have been collaborating on the development of thin-film solar technology for the challenging environment of space since 2006.

"Harnessing the power of the sun from space has the potential to advance our nation's path towards energy independence," said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. "With this substantial award furthering development of thin-film photovoltaics for space applications, The University of Toledo and the Air Force Research Laboratory build on their long-standing partnership and continue Ohio's long tradition of discovery in the fields of aviation, space exploration and solar energy technology."

The new project tasks the physicists with developing new materials for use in space-based solar technology, including materials to absorb and convert electromagnetic radiation from the sun, efficiently generating electricity for critical power needs. The scientists will also put these new materials to the test, evaluating how they behave in conditions designed to mimic those of outer space.

"We're accelerating our efforts to develop thin-film photovoltaics for space applications," said Ellingson, a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization Endowed Chair. "While researchers continue to advance known pathways to harvest solar energy in outer space, including the adaptation of perovskite and chalcogenide solar cells, a next challenge is to develop and discover new materials that will lead to new pathways to achieve this goal."

While space-based and ground-based solar cells operate very similarly, the harsh environment of outer space presents unique challenges and opportunities. Space-based cells are positioned to harvest significantly more energy, for example, but in turn must withstand significantly higher levels of potentially damaging particle radiation and greater fluctuations in temperature as a cell moves in relation to the sun. Cells also must be extremely lightweight so that agencies can reasonably afford to launch them into orbit.

Ellingson and his collaborators will consider these factors as they explore and evaluate materials for possible use in numerous components of a solar cell, including absorbers, contacts, tunnel junctions and substrates and superstrates. They expect that they and their colleagues at the Wright Center, as well as at research laboratories across the United States, will build on their findings to ultimately develop space-based solar cells that could either support satellites and other orbital equipment or transmit power wirelessly to Earth.

The researchers will use a heavy ion accelerator in the basement of UToledo's McMaster Hall, among other resources, to mimic space conditions and evaluate materials.

"Getting more efficient and lower cost photovoltaics deployed in space is a huge challenge. Accomplishing the goals of this new award with the Air Force Research Laboratory will help advance the nation toward its energy security goals," said Dr. Michael Heben, Distinguished University Professor and McMaster Chair and Director of the Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization. "The Wright Center, built on the legacy of Harold McMaster, the investments made by the state of Ohio and the strong, steady long-term support of Rep. Kaptur, is uniquely positioned to carry out this work."

The Air Force Research Laboratory funded the project with an initial allocation of $2.6 million, with a cost-reimbursement contract capped at nearly $15 million through 2029. The funding is expected to support 12 graduate and 10 undergraduate researchers, in addition to postdoctoral and faculty researchers at UToledo's Wright Center including co-principal investigators Heben, Dr. Adam Phillips, a research professor; Dr. Zhaoning Song, an assistant professor; Dr. Yanfa Yan, a Distinguished University Professor of physics and Ohio Research Scholar Chair; and Dr. Nikolas Podraza, a professor and chair of the Department of Astronomy and Physics and Nippon Electric Glass Endowed Chair for Silicate Science.

"UToledo is proud to be a leader in thin-film photovoltaic technology, including our innovative research for applications in space that can benefit humankind on Earth," said Dr. Constance Schall, interim vice president for research at UToledo. "The Air Force Research Laboratory has been a valuable partner, supporting the research of Dr. Ellingson and his colleagues at the Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization with nearly $35 million since 2019. We're pleased to work with them again on this ambitious project to explore new possibilities in the development of space-based solar technology."