Organic Solar Cells - Theory and Practice from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Solar Cells and Life Cycle Analysis

By the end of the module we have set the following goals for you: -You should have gained knowledge on solar cells, and their place as a renewable energy -Be able to distinguish between different solar cell technologies -Describe the difference between the three generations of solar cells -Identify the four steps of life cycle analysis -Determine differences between embedded energy, energy return factor, and energy payback time.

Organic and Polymer Solar Cells

By the end of this module you should: -Be able to identify the different steps in the theory behind the solar cells -Be able to measure the efficiency of a solar cell -Be able to describe the different layers in the solar cell and understand their function -Be ready to argue for different applications of the solar cells.

Materials in Solar Cells

By the end of this module you should: -Know why we need conjugated polymers and side chains -Know about low band gap polymers -Be able to identify the most common polymerization methods -Be familiar with common characterization techniques used with the materials -Know about acceptor materials used in the active layer of organic solar cells.

Stability and Degradation

By the end of this module you should: -Be able to identify different kinds of degradation behaviours -Know about decay curves, including concepts such as burn-in and T80 -Distinguish between different ISOS standards.

Solar Cell Fabrication

By the end of this module you will be able to: -Describe the lab scale techniques and the pros and cons -Describe the difference between coating and printing -Identify the different coating and printing techniques.

Wrapping Up

This is the final module of the course and it is almost time to sit back and congratulate yourself! You just have two more videos and an exam to complete.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Helps learners understand organic and polymer solar cells

Suitable for learners who want to expand their knowledge in solar cells

Students are expected to have basic knowledge in solar cell technology

Reviews summary

Organic solar cells - insightful course

Students say this course offers a well-structured introduction to organic solar cells with clear video lectures. Tough quizzes in the beginning are balanced by easy assignments later on. Some students would like to see a more detailed approach to modeling mechanisms and physics explanations.

Course features clear video lectures.

"The course videos were clear and too the point."

"I could understand the explanations..."

Exercises help maintain focus and test understanding.

"The exercises were a very good idea to maintain the focus and test the students."

Initial quizzes are tough, later assignments are easy.

"initially the quizzes for first 2 weeks are tough, but it was made easy from there on"

"The assignments were, well, not what I expected..."

Some students desire more detailed modeling and physics discussions.

"The only thing that I would like to see is a more detailed approach about the modeling mechanisms and a more discussions towards the physics during the process."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Organic Solar Cells - Theory and Practice with these activities:

Review basic chemistry

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Reviewing basic chemistry can help you refresh your knowledge and build a stronger foundation for learning about organic solar cells.

Browse courses on Chemistry

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Review your notes from your previous chemistry courses.
Take practice problems to test your understanding.
Watch video tutorials or read articles to learn about the basics of organic chemistry.

Solve practice problems

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Solving practice problems can help you to reinforce your understanding of the core concepts of organic solar cells.

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Identify the key concepts of organic solar cells.
Find practice problems that cover these concepts.
Solve the practice problems.
Check your answers and identify any areas where you need additional practice.

Watch video tutorials

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Watching video tutorials can help you to learn about the basics of organic solar cells and get a hands-on view of the technology.

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Find video tutorials on organic solar cells.
Watch the tutorials and take notes.
Follow along with the tutorials and try out the techniques yourself.

Three other activities

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Review Course Equations

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Ensure you have a firm understanding of the underlying theory before delving into advanced concepts.

Browse courses on Solar Cells

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Go through the provided course notes and textbooks.
Solve practice problems related to the course content.

Write a blog post

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Writing a blog post about organic solar cells can help you to deepen your understanding of the topic and communicate your knowledge to others.

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Choose a topic for your blog post.
Research the topic thoroughly.
Write a draft of your blog post.
Edit and proofread your blog post.
Publish your blog post.

Explore Organic Solar Cell Fabrication Techniques

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Gain hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of the processes involved in organic solar cell fabrication.

Browse courses on Solar Cell Fabrication

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Enroll in online tutorials or workshops on solar cell fabrication.
Follow step-by-step guides and videos to practice the techniques.

Career center

Learners who complete Organic Solar Cells - Theory and Practice will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Solar Cell Engineer

Solar Cell Engineers design, develop, and test solar cells and solar panels. They may also work in research and development, developing new solar cell technologies. This course provides a foundation in the theory, materials, stability, and processing of organic solar cells, which may be useful if you are interested in pursuing a career as a Solar Cell Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Solar Cell Engineer

Materials Scientist

Materials Scientists study the properties of various materials, including organic and polymeric materials used in solar cells. This course provides a foundation in the materials used in organic solar cells, including conjugated polymers, side chains, low band gap polymers, and acceptor materials. You will learn about common polymerization methods and characterization techniques used with these materials, which may be useful if you are interested in pursuing a career as a Materials Scientist.

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Research Scientist

Research Scientists conduct research in a variety of fields, including materials science, chemical engineering, and solar energy. They may also work in research and development, developing new technologies. This course provides a foundation in the theory and practice of organic solar cells, which may be useful if you are interested in pursuing a career as a Research Scientist.

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Chemical Engineer

Chemical Engineers design and operate chemical plants and processes. They may also work in research and development, designing new materials and processes. This course provides a foundation in the materials and processes used in organic solar cells, which may be useful if you are interested in pursuing a career as a Chemical Engineer.

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Professor

Professors teach and conduct research at universities and colleges. They may also work in research and development, developing new technologies. This course provides a foundation in the theory and practice of organic solar cells, which may be useful if you are interested in pursuing a career as a Professor.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies. They may work in a variety of industries, including technology, consumer goods, and healthcare. This course provides a foundation in the theory and practice of organic solar cells, which may be useful if you are interested in pursuing a career as a Marketing Manager.

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Energy Consultant

Energy Consultants advise clients on how to reduce their energy consumption and costs. They may also work in research and development, developing new energy technologies. This course provides a foundation in the theory and practice of organic solar cells, which may be useful if you are interested in pursuing a career as an Energy Consultant.

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Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for leading and motivating sales teams. They may work in a variety of industries, including technology, consumer goods, and healthcare. This course provides a foundation in the theory and practice of organic solar cells, which may be useful if you are interested in pursuing a career as a Sales Manager.

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Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability Consultants advise clients on how to reduce their environmental impact. They may also work in research and development, developing new sustainability technologies. This course provides a foundation in the theory and practice of organic solar cells, which may be useful if you are interested in pursuing a career as a Sustainability Consultant.

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Business Development Manager

Business Development Managers are responsible for developing and implementing business strategies. They may work in a variety of industries, including technology, consumer goods, and healthcare. This course provides a foundation in the theory and practice of organic solar cells, which may be useful if you are interested in pursuing a career as a Business Development Manager.

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Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists study the environment and its interactions with humans. They may also work in research and development, developing new environmental technologies. This course provides a foundation in the theory and practice of organic solar cells, which may be useful if you are interested in pursuing a career as an Environmental Scientist.

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Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and marketing of products. They may work in a variety of industries, including technology, consumer goods, and healthcare. This course provides a foundation in the theory and practice of organic solar cells, which may be useful if you are interested in pursuing a career as a Product Manager.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers create documentation for technical products and services. They may write user manuals, technical reports, or other types of documentation. This course provides a foundation in the theory and practice of organic solar cells, which may be useful if you are interested in pursuing a career as a Technical Writer.

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Patent Attorney

Patent Attorneys help clients obtain patents for their inventions. They may also work in research and development, developing new technologies. This course provides a foundation in the theory and practice of organic solar cells, which may be useful if you are interested in pursuing a career as a Patent Attorney.

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Science Writer

Science Writers communicate scientific information to the public. They may write for newspapers, magazines, websites, or other media outlets. This course provides a foundation in the theory and practice of organic solar cells, which may be useful if you are interested in pursuing a career as a Science Writer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Writer