Schottky UV solar cell

This invention describes a smart window system that can generate its own electricity. It involves a regular glass window coated with a special film that can change its transparency (an electrochromic film). On top of this, there's a solar cell designed to capture only ultraviolet light. This UV solar cell uses a specific type of semiconductor junction made from zinc sulfide (ZnS) and zinc oxide (ZnO) to produce power, which can then be used to control the window's transparency.

Why it matters: Since 2017, ongoing advancements in transparent semiconductor materials and thin-film deposition techniques may have improved the efficiency or reduced the cost of fabricating ZnO/ZnS UV solar cells, making this integrated self-powering window system more feasible.

Status: Not in forceListed as no longer active. The specific reason is not in the record we hold.
How hard to build: SpecializedThin-film deposition, semiconductor fabrication, electrochromic materials

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