Researchers at Princeton have
developed a new method of fabrication of silicon solar cells that enhances
efficiency, does not require high-temperature heating in ultra-clean furnaces,
and allows processing in a continuous, rather than a batch process.
Princeton is currently seeking
an industrial partner to commercialize this technology.
Under this new process, a silicon base layer can be coated with organic
materials and the electrodes can be directly deposited. A thin film
silicon in roll form can be used as a base layer, allowing manufacture to take
place in a continuous manner.
Another aspect of the new method addresses
the problem of minority carrier recombination at silicon surfaces and metal
contacts which greatly reduces the efficiency of photovoltaic devices.
Princeton researchers have demonstrated the use of an organic compound and
method that provides a novel way to passivate the defects at silicon surfaces.
The method does not use any exotic materials and employs known laboratory
methods.
It is anticipated that this process will
lower costs significantly as high temperature furnaces and clean rooms will no
longer be required in the manufacturing process. It provides a route for
low-cost passivation of a silicon surface, as well as a route towards
wide-bandgap heterojunction on silicon and wide-band contacts, and a low cost
high quality p-n junction on silicon.
Patent protection is
pending.
For more information please contact:
William H. Gowen
Office of Technology Licensing and Intellectual Property
Princeton University
4 New South Building
Princeton, NJ 08544-0036
(609) 258-6762
(609) 258-1159 fax
wgowen@princeton.edu