Dr. Ershuai Jiang

Project

In this project, I developed organic photovoltaic (OPV) modules tailored for indoor and high-voltage applications. For indoor applications, I introduced a novel side-connection structure. This design features interconnection patterns at the edges of the active area, with the top electrode's separation lines overlapping and being narrower than the bottom electrode's pattern lines. This arrangement significantly reduces shunt formation during top electrode patterning. The side-connection structure is therefore more suitable for indoor applications, such as sensors in the livMatS demonstrator, compared to conventional designs. For high-voltage applications, like dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs), I developed miniature high-voltage organic photovoltaic modules (HV-OPMs). These modules achieved open-circuit voltages (Voc) exceeding 1000 V with high power conversion efficiency for the first time. Further optimizations boosted Voc to over 5000 V. In collaboration with Armin Jamali, we successfully demonstrated an application case of a DEA suction cup powered by such an HV-OPM. Additionally, I introduced new characterization methods for HV-OPMs, including breakdown risk analysis under partial shading conditions, shunt analysis by electroluminescence imaging and potential-induced degradation studies.

First supervisor

Dr. Uli Würfel

Publications in livMatS

• Organic photovoltaic mini-module providing more than 5000 V for energy autonomy of dielectric elastomer actuators*
  Jiang, E., Jamali, A., List, M., Mishra, D., Sheikholeslami, S., Goldschmidtboeing, F., Woias, P., Baretzky, C., Fischer, O., Zimmermann, B., Glunz, S., Würfel, U. (2025): Organic photovoltaic mini-module providing more than 5000 V for energy autonomy of dielectric elastomer actuators. Nat Commun 16, 2048. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57226-6
• Side Connection for High-Efficiency Organic Photovoltaic Modules for Indoor Applications: Shunt Reduction and Performance Improvement*
  Jiang, E., Baretzky, C., Müller, D., Fischer, O., Zimmermann, B., Würfel, U. (2024): Side Connection for High-Efficiency Organic Photovoltaic Modules for Indoor Applications: Shunt Reduction and Performance Improvement. RRL Solar Volume 8, Issue 12, 2400303. https://doi.org/10.1002/solr.202400303
• Over 1000 V DC Voltage from Organic Solar Mini-Modules*
  Jiang, E., List, M., Jamali, A., Würfel, U. (2024): Over 1000 V DC Voltage from Organic Solar Mini-Modules (2024). ACS Energy Letters 2024, 9, 908-910. doi: 10.1021/acsenergylett.3c02770
• A mini organic solar module with an open-circuit voltage higher than 1100 V under indoor light*
  Jiang, E., Jamali A., List, M., & Würfel, U. (2023). A mini organic solar module with an open-circuit voltage higher than 1100 V under indoor light. Materials for Sustainable Development Conference (MATSUS). doi: 10.29363/nanoge.matsus.2023.218