Michelena O'Rourke

Michelena O'Rourke

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
22 August 2023 in Nanomaterials
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MDMelissa Ann Davis
Melissa Ann Davis
MTMehul Tank
Mehul Tank
MOMichelena O'Rourke
Michelena O'Rourke
MWMatthew S. Wadsworth
Matthew S. Wadsworth
Zhibin YuZhibin Yu
Zhibin Yu
RSRebekah Sweat
Rebekah Sweat
Flexible perovskite solar cells introduce opportunities for high throughput, high specific weight, and short energy payback time photovoltaics. However, they require additional investigation into their mechanical resiliency. This work investigates the mechanical properties and behaviors of perovskite thin films and builds a robust model for future research. A two-pronged approach was utilized. Perovskite thin films were flexed in a three-point bend mode with in-situ SEM. Novel insights into the perovskite mechanical behaviors with varying substrate layers were gained. Modeling and validation, the second prong, was completed with finite element analysis. Model coupons of the imaged perovskite architectures were built, with sensitivity analysis completed to provide mechanical property estimates. The results demonstrate that mechanical degradation of perovskite thin films on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) primarily presents as a crack in the grain boundaries between crystals. Perovskite thin films on Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) and PET primarily crack in a periodic pattern regardless of the placement of perovskite crystals.