Weekly Progress

Week 1

During the first week of the project, we have researched the best ways to make dye-sensitized solar cells.  We have determined that the best cells use glass coated in Titanium Oxide (TiO2), and the best dyes are usually some type of metal complex.  Further research into the best components is ongoing.

Goals for next week:
Start research on dye-sensitized solar cells and decide which ingredients to obtain and experiment with.

Week 2

During the second week, it has been determined through research that the only practical dyes to use in the DSSC's are organic because the others are far too costly.  Specifically, the dyes used have to contain anthocyanin or chlorophyll.  Anthocyanin is a natural chemical that can be found in many types of red berries.  Chlorophyll is a chemical found in green leaves that is responsible for photosynthesis.  It has been determined that blackberries, blueberries, spinach, and corn leaves will be used to make the dyes for the solar cells.  Also, the anthocyanin and chlorophyll can and will be extracted from these plants through chemical procedures.  This extraction makes for a purer concentration of the dye itself. 

Goals for next week:
Continue with research on DSSC's.

Week 3

During the third week of the project, the group acquired the Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Kit. Went through the equipment and the collected all other necessary parts.

Goals for next week:
Continue with research on Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells and collect all components of our first DSSC.

Week 4

During the fourth week of the project, we have nearly completed the research on the different types of dye to be used and the different types of DSSC's to be produced.

Goals for next week:
Complete research on Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells and be ready to start building the DSSC.

Week 5

During the fifth week of the project, we have completed the research and have started with the making of the DSSC. During the lab we made the Titanium Oxide paste that had to be used as an integral part of the DSSC.

Goals for next week:
Begin making the prototype DSSC's

Week 6

During the sixth week of the project, we have completed the the construction of the first dye-sensitized solar cell. There was a fault while making the DSSC thus the group was not able to get readings off the DSSC. The group started rebuilding the new DSSC with the correct procedure.

Goals for next week:
Complete and test a working DSSC

Week 7

During the seventh week of the project, we completed the second Dye-sensitized solar cell using the blueberries as the dye. Also the retesting for the first DSSC was completed.

Goals for next week:
Complete the testing of the two DSSC's and determine which is more efficient. Following this start the extraction process for the Anthocyanin from the more efficient of the two.

Week 8

Completed the testing of the two DSSC's. As the extraction process was really long, two days, for the Anthocyanin, we used the main steps in the process to save time and as well as to extract the Anthocyanin form the blueberries.

Goals for next week:
Complete the third and final DSSC using the extracted Anthocyanin and test for results. Also work on the Final Presentation and Template.

Week 9

Completed the last and final DSSC's. Tested the DSSC's for results. The results given by the third DSSC were not satisfying. This may be due to the shortened extraction process.

Goals for next week:
Complete the calculations for all the DSSC's. Also complete work on the Final Presentation and Final Report.