Cost Effective Solar Cells: Titanium Dioxide Solar Cell Construction and Testing

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Intended Grade Level(s):
9-12
Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Electricity and Magnetism,
Electricity Generation,
Electrons,
Energy Fundamentals,
Materials Science,
Solar Photovoltaic,
Sources of Energy
Learning Goal(s):
  1. Students will construct titanium dioxide coated “raspberry juice” solar cells
  2. Students will test titanium dioxide coated “raspberry juice” solar cells under various conditions

 

Unit:
Cost Effective Solar Cells
Lesson Number:
7
Pedagogy & Practice:
21st Century Skills Development,
Engineering Design,
Establishing a Culture of Science,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials,
Multiple Learning Styles
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
2: Developing and Using Models,
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Relevant NGSS PE:
HS-PS1-2,
HS-PS2-6,
HS-PS3-3
Estimated Activity Length:
3 hours
Files Associated with this Activity:
PDF icon Wolverton Lesson Plan #7 2018-2019.pdf
PDF icon L7_Titanium Dioxide Raspberry Solar Cell Procedure and Data Sheet.pdf
Description:

This lesson is designed to be completed in two 80-minute sections. The teacher will show a basic procedure and video. The teacher will facilitate the construction of Organic Dye-Sensitized solar cells on coated glass plates with Titanium Dioxide. A fume hood with outlets for electric hot plates must be used for the first part of the construction. On Day 2, Teachers will facilitate final solar cell treatment and solar cell testing indoors and outdoors. Teachers should be knowledgeable of the Titanium Dioxide / Berry (anthocyanin) solar cell electron transfer mechanisms.

  • Day 1: Introduce procedure and bake titanium dioxide onto coated class slides
  • Day 2: Further treatment of slides, assembly of solar cell, and testing
Other Material(s) Used:
See Lesson plan for full chemical list