CuInSe2 Thin Film Modules for Utility Applications

1994 ◽  
Vol 116 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-27
Author(s):  
C. Fredric ◽  
D. Tarrant ◽  
C. Jensen ◽  
J. Hummel ◽  
J. Ermer
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Single Crystal Silicon ◽  
Outdoor Exposure ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Crystal Silicon ◽  
Thin Film Fabrication

Recent advances in the efficiency and manufacturing technology of CuInSe2 (CIS) thin films demonstrate the opportunity for low-cost large-scale production of photovoltaics for utility applications. Large area (0.4 m2) submodules with 9.7 percent aperture efficiencies yielding 37.8 watts have been fabricated. Thin film fabrication techniques used in the production of modules enable reduced production costs compared with those for single crystal silicon. The performance of 0.4 m2 modules is projected to exceed 50 watts, based on performance achieved to date on 0.1 m2 modules and small area test devices. Preliminary tests packaged (encapsulated and framed) modules show no significant losses after 15 1/2 months of continuous outdoor exposure. Fabrication of 0.4 m2 modules to demonstrate the feasibility of large-scale commercialization of CIS thin film photovoltaics for utility applications is currently under way.

scholarly journals Amorphous thin-film oxide power devices operating beyond bulk single-crystal silicon limit

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuki Tsuruma ◽  
Emi Kawashima ◽  
Yoshikazu Nagasaki ◽  
Takashi Sekiya ◽  
Gaku Imamura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Single Crystal ◽  
Flexible Substrate ◽  
Single Crystal Silicon ◽  
Bulk Single Crystal ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Power Devices ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Crystal Silicon ◽  
Amorphous Thin Film

AbstractPower devices (PD) are ubiquitous elements of the modern electronics industry that must satisfy the rigorous and diverse demands for robust power conversion systems that are essential for emerging technologies including Internet of Things (IoT), mobile electronics, and wearable devices. However, conventional PDs based on “bulk” and “single-crystal” semiconductors require high temperature (> 1000 °C) fabrication processing and a thick (typically a few tens to 100 μm) drift layer, thereby preventing their applications to compact devices, where PDs must be fabricated on a heat sensitive and flexible substrate. Here we report next-generation PDs based on “thin-films” of “amorphous” oxide semiconductors with the performance exceeding the silicon limit (a theoretical limit for a PD based on bulk single-crystal silicon). The breakthrough was achieved by the creation of an ideal Schottky interface without Fermi-level pinning at the interface, resulting in low specific on-resistance Ron,sp (< 1 × 10–4 Ω cm2) and high breakdown voltage VBD (~ 100 V). To demonstrate the unprecedented capability of the amorphous thin-film oxide power devices (ATOPs), we successfully fabricated a prototype on a flexible polyimide film, which is not compatible with the fabrication process of bulk single-crystal devices. The ATOP will play a central role in the development of next generation advanced technologies where devices require large area fabrication on flexible substrates and three-dimensional integration.

scholarly journals Amorphous thin-film oxide power devices operating beyond bulk single-crystal silicon limit

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuki Tsuruma ◽  
Emi Kawashima ◽  
Yoshikazu Nagasaki ◽  
Takashi Sekiya ◽  
Gaku Imamura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Single Crystal ◽  
Flexible Substrate ◽  
Single Crystal Silicon ◽  
Bulk Single Crystal ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Power Devices ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Crystal Silicon ◽  
Amorphous Thin Film

Abstract Power devices (PD) are ubiquitous elements of the modern electronics industry that must satisfy the rigorous and diverse demands for robust power conversion systems that are essential for emerging technologies including Internet of Things (IoT), mobile electronics, and wearable devices. However, conventional PDs based on “bulk” and “single-crystal” semiconductors require high temperature (>1000°C) fabrication processing and a thick (typically a few tens to 100 μm) drift layer1, thereby preventing their applications to compact devices2, where PDs must be fabricated on a heat sensitive and flexible substrate. Here we report next-generation PDs based on “thin-films” of “amorphous” oxide semiconductors with the performance exceeding the silicon limit (a theoretical limit for a PD based on bulk single-crystal silicon3). The breakthrough was achieved by the creation of an ideal Schottky interface without Fermi-level pinning at the interface, resulting in low specific on-resistance Ron,sp (<1×10-4 Ωcm2) and high breakdown voltage VBD (~100 V). To demonstrate the unprecedented capability of the amorphous thin-film oxide power devices (ATOPs), we successfully fabricated a prototype on a flexible polyimide film, which is not compatible with the fabrication process of bulk single-crystal devices. The ATOP will play a central role in the development of next generation advanced technologies where devices require large area fabrication on flexible substrates and three-dimensional integration.

scholarly journals Strategies for High-Performance Large-Area Perovskite Solar Cells toward Commercialization

Crystals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 295
Author(s):  
Tianzhao Dai ◽  
Qiaojun Cao ◽  
Lifeng Yang ◽  
Mahmoud Aldamasy ◽  
Meng Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Perovskite Solar Cells ◽  
Growth Control ◽  
Single Crystal Silicon ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Crystal Silicon ◽  
Control Interface

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have received a great deal of attention in the science and technology field due to their outstanding power conversion efficiency (PCE), which increased rapidly from 3.9% to 25.5% in less than a decade, comparable to single crystal silicon solar cells. In the past ten years, much progress has been made, e.g. impressive ideas and advanced technologies have been proposed to enlarge PSC efficiency and stability. However, this outstanding progress has always been referred to as small-area (<0.1 cm2) PSCs. Little attention has been paid to the preparation processes and their micro-mechanisms for large-area (>1 cm2) PSCs. Meanwhile, scaling up is an inevitable way for large-scale application of PSCs. Therefore, we firstly summarize the current achievements for high efficiency and stability large-area perovskite solar cells, including precursor composition, deposition, growth control, interface engineering, packaging technology, etc. Then we include a brief discussion and outlook for the future development of large-area PSCs in commercialization.

Poly-Siloxane Impregnation and Pyrolysis of Basalt Fibers for the Cost-Effective Production of CFCCs

2014 ◽  
Vol 89 ◽  
pp. 139-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudio Mingazzini ◽  
Matteo Scafè ◽  
Daniele Caretti ◽  
Daniele Nanni ◽  
Emiliano Burresi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Basalt Fiber ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Ceramic Composites ◽  
Silicon Oxycarbide ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Basalt Fibers ◽  
Thermomechanical Characteristics

In this work, the optimisation of basalt fiber CFCCs (Continuous Fiber Ceramic Composites) production is presented, focusing on the development of a silicon-oxycarbide matrix by PIP (Polymer Impregnation Pyrolysis). The use of low cost poly-siloxanes and basalt fibers is particularly promising for transports and constructions, where thermostructural CFCCs would be interesting for vehicle weight reduction and fire-resistant panels, but only on the condition that production costs are kept really low. The basalt/SiCO composites are suitable for mechanical applications up to 600°C and stand up temperatures up to 1200°C, also in oxidative environments. The key parameters to keep the production costs low are the furnace and moulds type, being steel probably the best material for both, since it withstands the pyrolysis temperature and can be easily cleaned, by oxidation, from any residue. Regarding the pyrolysis environment, two conditions were compared, nitrogen flow and vacuum, being perhaps the vacuum procedure less expensive and so potentially more appealing for a large scale production. The microstructure and the thermomechanical characteristics of the obtained composites were compared, Another key parameter in determining the production costs is the number of PIP steps, which has to be minimised. The present results support the conclusion that one PIP step in nitrogen or two PIP steps in vacuum can provide CFCC with satisfactory mechanical characteristics for thermomechanical applications in oxidative environments.

The Status of and Challenges in CdTe Thin-Film Solar-Cell Technology

2004 ◽  
Vol 808 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alvin D. Compaan
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Magnetron Sputtering ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Rf Magnetron Sputtering ◽  
Cdte Thin Film ◽  
Large Area ◽  
The Status ◽  
Solar Cell Technology

ABSTRACTPolycrystalline CdTe thin-film solar cells have shown high potential for low cost, large-area module fabrication. But successful large-scale commercial production has been elusive. Fabrication of the basic n-CdS/p-CdTe heterojunction is possible by a wide variety of methods, including close-spaced sublimation, vapor-transport deposition, electrodeposition, chemical bath deposition, and magnetron sputtering. An overview of these methods is presented as well as the role of the postdeposition “activation” treatment using CdCl2 and issues related to the difficulty of obtaining low resistance back contacts to CdTe. We present some of our recent fabrication results using rf magnetron sputtering and discuss some of the advantages that appear possible from the use of sputtering methods in this class of materials. Some of these advantages are particularly relevant as the polycrystalline thin-film PV community addresses the challenges of fabricating tandem cells with efficiencies over 25%.

Micro/Nanochannel Emulsification for Generating Monosize Droplets

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isao Kobayashi ◽  
Mitsutoshi Nakajima
Keyword(s):  
Droplet Size ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Single Crystal Silicon ◽  
Continuous Phase ◽  
Silicon On Insulator ◽  
Droplet Generation ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Crystal Silicon

Emulsification is an important process in various fields including foods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and chemicals. Emulsification operation is commonly conducted using conventional emulsification devices, such as high-speed blenders, colloid mills, high-pressure homogenizers, and ultrasonic homogenizers. However, these emulsification devices result in the production of polydisperse emulsions with wide droplet size distributions and poor controllability in droplet size and its distribution. In contrast, monodisperse emulsions consisting of monosize droplets have received a great deal of attentions over the past decade due to their high-tech applications, e.g., monosize microparticles as spacers for electronic devices and monosize micro-carriers for drug delivery systems (DDS). Our group proposed microchannel (MC) emulsification as a promising technique to produce monodisperse emulsions in the mid 1990s. Micro/Nanochannel (MNC) emulsification enables generating monosize droplets with the smallest coefficient of variation (CV) of below 5% using MC and nanochannel (NC) arrays of unique geometry. The resultant droplet size, which ranged from 0.5 to 200 μm, can be precisely controlled by channel geometry. Droplet generation for MNC emulsification is very mild and does not require any external shear stress; a dispersed phase that passed through channels is transformed spontaneously into monosize droplets inside a continuous-phase domain. The aim of this paper is to present recent developments in MNC emulsification chips, particularly focusing on asymmetric straight-through MC arrays for large-scale production of monodisperse emulsions. Asymmetric straight-through MC array chips were fabricated using a silicon-on-insulator wafer. Numerous asymmetric straight-through MCs each consisting of a microslot and a narrow MC were positioned in the central region of the chip. Monosize droplets were stably generated via asymmetric straight-through MCs at high production rates. Below a critical droplet production rate, monosize droplets were generated via asymmetric straight-through MCs, with droplet size and size distribution independent of the droplet productivity. The use of a large asymmetric straight-through MC array chip achieved the mass production of monosize tetradecane oil droplets at ∼1 L/h. The simulation results using CFD (computational fluid dynamics) agreed well with the experimental results and provided useful information, such as the movement of the oil-water interface during droplet generation. Monosize submicron droplets were also obtained using NC emulsification chips made of single-crystal silicon.

scholarly journals Effects of Ag contents on the microstructure and SERS performance of self-grown Ag nanoparticles/Mo–Ag alloy films

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 751-759 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinxin Lian ◽  
Yuanjiang Lv ◽  
Haoliang Sun ◽  
David Hui ◽  
Guangxin Wang
Keyword(s):  
Ag Nanoparticles ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Film Surface ◽  
Time Domain Analysis ◽  
Alloy Film ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Alloy Films ◽  
Surface Enhanced Raman ◽  
Ag Film

AbstractAg nanoparticles/Mo–Ag alloy films with different Ag contents were prepared on polyimide by magnetron sputtering. The effects of Ag contents on the microstructure of self-grown Ag nanoparticles/Mo–Ag alloy films were investigated using XRD, FESEM, EDS and TEM. The Ag content plays an important role in the size and number of uniformly distributed Ag nanoparticles spontaneously formed on the Mo–Ag alloy film surface, and the morphology of the self-grown Ag nanoparticles has changed significantly. Additionally, it is worth noting that the Ag nanoparticles/Mo–Ag alloy films covered by a thin Ag film exhibits highly sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) performance. The electric field distributions were calculated using finite-difference time-domain analysis to further prove that the SERS enhancement of the films is mainly determined by “hot spots” in the interparticle gap between Ag nanoparticles. The detection limit of the Ag film/Ag nanoparticles/Mo–Ag alloy film for Rhodamine 6G probe molecules was 5 × 10−14 mol/L. Therefore, the novel type of the Ag film/Ag nanoparticles/Mo–Ag alloy film can be used as an ideal SERS-active substrate for low-cost and large-scale production.

scholarly journals Extraction of short chain chitooligosaccharides from fungal biomass and their use as promoters of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Crosino ◽  
Elisa Moscato ◽  
Marco Blangetti ◽  
Gennaro Carotenuto ◽  
Federica Spina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Biomass ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Trichoderma Viride ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽  
Am Fungi ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Short Chain ◽  
Mycorrhizal Symbiosis ◽  
Major Interest

AbstractShort chain chitooligosaccharides (COs) are chitin derivative molecules involved in plant-fungus signaling during arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) interactions. In host plants, COs activate a symbiotic signalling pathway that regulates AM-related gene expression. Furthermore, exogenous CO application was shown to promote AM establishment, with a major interest for agricultural applications of AM fungi as biofertilizers. Currently, the main source of commercial COs is from the shrimp processing industry, but purification costs and environmental concerns limit the convenience of this approach. In an attempt to find a low cost and low impact alternative, this work aimed to isolate, characterize and test the bioactivity of COs from selected strains of phylogenetically distant filamentous fungi: Pleurotus ostreatus, Cunninghamella bertholletiae and Trichoderma viride. Our optimized protocol successfully isolated short chain COs from lyophilized fungal biomass. Fungal COs were more acetylated and displayed a higher biological activity compared to shrimp-derived COs, a feature that—alongside low production costs—opens promising perspectives for the large scale use of COs in agriculture.

scholarly journals Thermoelectric Performance of Mechanically Mixed BixSb2-xTe3—ABS Composites

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 1706
Author(s):  
Zacharias Viskadourakis ◽  
Argiri Drymiskianaki ◽  
Vassilis M. Papadakis ◽  
Ioanna Ioannou ◽  
Theodora Kyratsi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polymer Composites ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene ◽  
Thermoelectric Performance ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Bismuth Antimony Telluride ◽  
Mechanical Mixing ◽  
Large Scale Production ◽  
Bi Doping

In the current study, polymer-based composites, consisting of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and Bismuth Antimony Telluride (BixSb2−xTe3), were produced using mechanical mixing and hot pressing. These composites were investigated regarding their electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient, with respect to Bi doping and BixSb2-xTe3 loading into the composite. Experimental results showed that their thermoelectric performance is comparable—or even superior, in some cases—to reported thermoelectric polymer composites that have been produced using other complex techniques. Consequently, mechanically mixed polymer-based thermoelectric materials could be an efficient method for low-cost and large-scale production of polymer composites for potential thermoelectric applications.

scholarly journals Performance Improvement of ZnSnO Thin-Film Transistors with Low-Temperature Self-Combustion Reaction

Electronics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1099
Author(s):  
Ye-Ji Han ◽  
Se Hyeong Lee ◽  
So-Young Bak ◽  
Tae-Hee Han ◽  
Sangwoo Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Thermal Analyses ◽  
Thin Film Transistor ◽  
Sol Gel ◽  
Annealing Temperatures ◽  
Zinc Tin Oxide ◽  
Thermal Limitation

Conventional sol-gel solutions have received significant attention in thin-film transistor (TFT) manufacturing because of their advantages such as simple processing, large-scale applicability, and low cost. However, conventional sol-gel processed zinc tin oxide (ZTO) TFTs have a thermal limitation in that they require high annealing temperatures of more than 500 °C, which are incompatible with most flexible plastic substrates. In this study, to overcome the thermal limitation of conventional sol-gel processed ZTO TFTs, we demonstrated a ZTO TFT that was fabricated at low annealing temperatures of 350 °C using self-combustion. The optimized device exhibited satisfactory performance, with μsat of 4.72 cm2/V∙s, Vth of −1.28 V, SS of 0.86 V/decade, and ION/OFF of 1.70 × 106 at a low annealing temperature of 350 °C for one hour. To compare a conventional sol-gel processed ZTO TFT with the optimized device, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses (TG-DTA) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were implemented.

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