CdSe Quantum Dot Solar Cells Research

The Effect of CdSe Quantum Dots on Calibrate Solar Cells

Traditional solar cells suffer from efficiency limitations due to their inability to fully utilize the solar spectrum. In fact, most traditional silicon solar cells have a limited efficiency of only 15–18%, with a lower absorption coefficient and untunable band gaps.

However, quantum dot solar cells make use of the "lost solar spectrum."

The following section includes my award-winning research at the IEEE conference and QuantaSol predictive API model to calculate the best locations for QD solar cells in regions sun-rich, solar-poor.

Jinwook Chang & Talin Patel:

The Effect of Quantum Dots on Solar Cell Efficiency

- Best Poster Presentation Award, Area 11, 53rd IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (IEEE PVSC)

IEEE Xplore: The Effect of CdSe Quantum Dots on the Efficiency of Si Solar Cell: A Hands-on, Project-based Learning

Jinwook Chang awarded Best Poster Presentation @IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference

Our Research Journey

Researcher examining silicon wafers inside the Singh Center for Nanotechnology clean room laboratory 03

Testing the Arduino Solar Cell Circuit at the University of Pennsylvania

Testing PDMS Coating Consistency at the Singh Center of Nanotechnology

Cadmium Selenide Quantum dot-enhanced Solar Cell Testing Site

Jinwook Chang & Talin Patel featured in Penn Engineering News

Researcher examining silicon wafers inside the Singh Center for Nanotechnology clean room laboratory 02

Arduino circuit setup for measuring solar cell efficiency using sensors and data analysis tools

Jinwook Chang, Talin Patel, Youcheng Li at the lab

Characterizing Solar Cells in the cleanroom lab

Jinwook Chang taking a short break and relaxing inside the laboratory after an experiment session

Researcher examining silicon wafers inside the Singh Center for Nanotechnology clean room laboratory

Lab Portrait of Jinwook Chang, Talin Patel, and Youcheng Li

Spin-coating a silicon wafer with PDMS to create a uniform thin film for nanotechnology applications

Jinwook Chang at Hill College, University of Pennsylvania

Synthesized Cadmium Selenide Quantum Dot Close-up Images

Acknowledgements

I’d like to thank Dr. Gyuseok Kim at the Singh Center for Nanotechnology, University of Pennsylvania, for supporting the idea of the research. I’d like to thank Mr. Gregory Rose and the Shanghai American School for supporting the further development of the project-based learning element. I’d like to thank Talin Patel, Steven Li, and Bowen Hou, my partners at the Engineering Summer Academy at Penn, for helping me draft the paper and collaborating on this project.

Jinwook Chang, Talin Patel, Youcheng Li with slurpees

Casual Group Calls and Work Calls with Teammates and Friends

Group Meetings for the Effect of CdSe Quantum Dots on the Efficiency of Si Solar Cell: A Hands-on, Project-based Learning

QuantaSol GeoSpatial Site Optimization Model

In many sun-rich, solar-poor regions between the tropics, abundant UV irradiance accelerates the degradation of traditional silicon solar cells, limiting their performance and lifespan. Despite high solar potential, these areas remain underserved by conventional technology.

Quantum dot solar cells provide a solution by converting harmful UV light into usable energy, extending durability and boosting efficiency where sunlight is most intense.

Through the QuantaSol predictive API model, we integrate factors such as irradiance, slope, aspect, and regional socioeconomic scores to pinpoint the best locations for QD solar farms—turning overlooked tropical sunlight into a reliable and profitable source of clean energy.

Jinwook Chang & Ryan Jiang - QuantaSol—Map the Light, Power the World.

- 1st Place, Solar Pitch, 53rd IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (IEEE PVSC)