Curtis Berlinguette

Biography

Faculty in University of British Columbia Faculty in University of British Columbia

Research Interest

With proven efficiencies now in excess of 13%, the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) invented by Michael Grätzel in 1991 represents one of the most promising next-generation solar cell technologies.  This device relies on electron-transfer from a photo-excited dye to a thin mesoporous semiconducting film on conducting glass.  The dye molecule is subsequently reduced by a mediator, which, in turn, is regenerated at the cathode by electrons that migrate through the external load.  To help bring the bulk manufacture of DSSCs to fruition, we are improving cell performance and stability by designing robust cyclometalated ruthenium dyes with improved absorbance profiles in the lower-energy region of the solar spectrum.  We are also exploring ways to replace the expensive ruthenium chromophore using first-row transition metals and to replace conventional electrolytes in the DSSC.