How orgaPVnet will provide "added value"

At present the field is developing diversely across Europe, with different National Programmes tending to focus on different technologies. In particular, the two largest communities in Organic Photovoltaics, namely dye-sensitized nanocrystalline devices and polymer-based devices have to date developed and functioned largely independently with few overlaps. This division is, however, becoming an increasing critical barrier to development of the field, with scientific progress increasingly being made in device concepts which lie at the intersection of these two research communities – for example in solid state dye-sensitized solar cells employing organic hole conductors and in hybrid polymer / nanocrystal devices which combine the nanometer scale structural control achieved by the use of inorganic nanocrystals with the ease of processing inherent in the use of organic optoelectronic materials.

orgaPVnet will run for 2 ½ years and will involve 22 partners from 15 European and Associated countries from the European industry including SMEs, the research community and other major stakeholders of the organic PV sector.  It is the intention of the orgaPVnet Coordination Action network to bring together the diverse Research Programmes across Europe, leading to the development of a cohesive pan-European research community targeting the development of innovative, low cost, stable organic based photovoltaic cells and modules.

This Action will necessarily be positioned at the intersection between solid-state physics, chemistry, and materials science. A strong interdisciplinary approach is essential with a high degree of interaction. This Action will lead to greater interactions between Institutes and countries, and will provide a New European focus for interactions between researchers into materials properties with those concerned with novel and/or high performance device design and development. The formation of highly targeted Expert Groups will provide visible and tangible vehicles to promote and stimulate focussed scientific discussions between materials scientists and organic PV device based researchers in Europe.

The synergy of the know-how present in the various research groups, all with strong international reputation in their subfields, concerning i.e. design and synthesis of novel polymer materials with as well donor as acceptor properties, nano-particles, solid electrolytes, the expertise in analytical, electrical and optical characterisation techniques, modelling and device up-scaling technology will ensure a more rapid progress and create the appropriate circumstances for breakthroughs in this fundamentally important research domain.