Physicists Explore Advanced Antimony-Based Solar Cells for Space Applications
January 27, 2026
In the pursuit of durable and efficient solar energy solutions suited for the harsh environment of outer space, physicists at the University of Toledo are investigating novel solar cell technologies that show promise beyond Earth-based applications. Their research focuses on solar cells employing antimony chalcogenide compounds as light-absorbing semiconductors, materials that demonstrate enhanced resilience to the severe conditions found in space.
Challenges of Space-Use Solar Cells
Solar cells deployed in space face extreme environmental stresses including drastic temperature fluctuations and intense particle radiation, factors that adversely affect their operational efficiency and lifespan. Conventional photovoltaic materials, while effective on Earth, often degrade rapidly under these extraterrestrial conditions.
A New Hope with Antimony Chalcogenides
The University of Toledo’s Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization, supported by the Air Force Research Laboratory, is leading efforts to overcome these challenges. A recent pioneering study published in the journal Solar RRL comprehensively assessed the radiation hardness of antimony chalcogenide-based solar cells. The research garnered recognition by featuring prominently on the journal’s front cover.
“Antimony chalcogenide solar cells exhibit superior radiation robustness compared to the conventional technologies we’re deploying in space,” explained Alisha Adhikari, a doctoral physics student and co-lead of the research team comprising faculty, graduate, and undergraduate members. “However, to be viable for future space missions, these cells must achieve significantly improved efficiency levels.”
Research Team and Approach
Under the leadership of Dr. Randall Ellingson, endowed chair of the Wright Center, the team also includes postdoctoral researcher Dr. Vijay Karade, doctoral student Scott Lambright, and faculty collaborators Dr. Yanfa Yan and Dr. Zhaoning Song. Together, they are exploring innovative production techniques, including advanced thin-film deposition and autoclave preparation methods, to enhance the performance and durability of antimony chalcogenide solar cells.
These materials’ inherent resistance to proton radiation, common in space environments, positions them as promising candidates to improve the longevity of photovoltaics used on satellites and spacecraft. The researchers are conducting simulations of proton interactions with these materials to understand and optimize their behavior under realistic space radiation doses.
Outlook and Future Directions
While current efficiency metrics of antimony chalcogenide solar cells still lag behind established space solar technologies, ongoing investigations aim to bridge this gap. The team’s future work will focus on refining material compositions and device architectures to boost energy conversion efficiency while maintaining or improving radiation resistance.
This research marks a significant step toward developing solar power technologies tailored to the stringent demands of outer space exploration and satellite operation, potentially enabling longer-lasting and more reliable energy sources in future missions.
For more detailed information, see the full study:
Adhikari, A., Lambright, S., Karade, V., Yan, Y., Song, Z., & Ellingson, R. (2025). Assessing Proton Radiation Hardness of Antimony Chalcogenide Solar Cells. Solar RRL. DOI: 10.1002/solr.202500699. —
Contact Information:
University of Toledo, Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization
[University website link]
Photo caption: Alisha Adhikari (left), a physics doctoral student, and postdoctoral researcher Dr. Vijay Karade prepare autoclaves for deposition processes aimed at fabricating advanced antimony chalcogenide solar cells at the University of Toledo. (Credit: University of Toledo)
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