Methodology of the first combined in-flight and ex situ stability assessment of organic-based solar cells for space applications

• Published in: Journal of Materials Research
• Main Authors: Schreurs, Dieter, Nagels, Steven, Cardinaletti, Ilaria, Vangerven, Tim, Cornelissen, Rob, Vodnik, Jelle, Hruby, Jaroslav, Deferme, Wim, Manca, Jean V.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: OSCAR; OPV; in-situ; organic solar cell; organic photovoltaic; solar cell; aerospace; space; Esrange; Kiruna
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1942/26129; https://doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2018.156

One of the key aims of the OSCAR project (Optical Sensors based on CARbon-materials)—in the framework of the REXUS/BEXUS program—was to explore the use of organic-based solar cells for (aero)space applications through the in-flight investigation of devices’ performance during a stratospheric balloon flight. Next to the in-flight experiments, complementary lab stability assessment tests were performed. In this contribution, both the in-flight and lab experimental methodology and the corresponding technical aspects will be discussed in detail. Furthermore, attention will be paid to the issues of packaging and radiation. The importance of the OSCAR-balloon experiment is not only that it has demonstrated for the first time the use of organic-based solar cells in (aero)space conditions but also that it can be considered as the pioneering start of specific stability assessment methodologies for organic-based solar cells for (aero)space applications. The OSCAR project was developed in the framework of the REXUS/BEXUS program. This program is a joint collaborative agreement between the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the Swedish National Space Board (SNSB), where the Swedish share of the balloon payload is made available for European university student experiments with collaboration of the European Space Agency (ESA). Other partners include EuroLaunch, a collaboration between the Esrange Space Center (SSC), which is the launching facility in Kiruna (Sweden) and the Mobile Rocket Base (MORABA) of DLR. Experts of all involved parties are provided throughout the project for technical support. The authors deeply thank M. De Roeve, R. Lempens, J. Soogen, K. Daniëls, J. Boutsenand J. Mertens for the technical help, and K. Wouters and M.A. Beynaerts for their support during testing. IMEC vzw is acknowledged for their availability with sample supplies and encapsulation. For the small molecule-based devices thanks are due to TU/Dresden. For the polymerbased devices, the authors would like to thank the DSOS research group at ...