Apr 5 2010
Technic Inc. and the The College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (“CNSE”) of the University at Albany today announced a research and development partnership that is designed to enable critical improvements in manufacturing processes for solar cells.
CNSE’s Energy and Environmental Technology Applications Center (“E2TAC”), located at CNSE’s world-class Albany NanoTech Complex, and Technic’s Advanced Technology Division, based in Plainview, New York, have begun collaborations on the $500,000 program designed to improve the efficiency of solar cells while lowering the costs of manufacturing.
The collaboration has already made progress in the development of alternative metallization solutions for solar cell manufacturing, through the deployment of innovative electroless plating tools and chemical processes to replace the costly silver paste grid line process. Early results of this work will be presented at the 25th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference to be held September 6-9 in Valencia, Spain.
"This partnership will offer silicon solar cell manufacturers a unique alternative metallization approach that can be optimized for production processing,” said Anthony Gallegos, Global Product Manager of Solar and Semiconductor Technology for Technic. “Through the combination of Technic’s distinctive position as one of the only suppliers that can provide both chemistry and deposition tools to the PV industry, and CNSE’s recognized global leadership in providing unmatched intellectual know-how and technological capabilities to support nanoscale innovation, we look forward to a productive collaboration."
"The UAlbany NanoCollege is delighted to be working with Technic to develop advanced nanoscale technologies that will improve the efficiency of solar cells while lowering the cost of manufacturing,” said Dr. Pradeep Haldar, Director of CNSE’s E2TAC. “This partnership further demonstrates the advantages of deploying CNSE’s world-class intellectual power base and state-of-the-art infrastructure to advance clean and renewable energy technologies, and to support high-tech companies located throughout New York State.” The collaboration is supported by a $200,000 grant provided by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
Source: http://www.cnse.albany.edu