RTD projects
R&D projects in Czech Republic
Providers of research projects carried out in labs Solartec s.r.o. are:
Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
KAN100500652: Heterogeneous organic and hybrid nanocomposite materials for solar cells
The proposed basic research project is focused on acquiring comprehensive knowledge for targeted design of nanostructured materials, nanocomposites of the pi-conjugated polymers and metal oxides for optoelectronic applications, particularly for fotoelektrochemical and solid state solar cells. Molecular architecture and morphology of the optimized combination of chemical processes and physical phenomena such as spontaneous phase separation and crystallization in the matrix. The relationship between the chemical and supramolecular structure and physical properties will be studied experimentally, theoretically modeled and subsequently in the feedback used to optimize the chemical structure. Other objectives of the project are (i) development of new sensitive photoelectric materials, (ii) study the relationship between their structure and electrical and optical properties, and (iii) use their knowledge to design new types of organic solar cells and improved functional parameters of articles based on traditional inorganic materials.
Ministry of Industry and Trade
MPO FR-TI1/619: Modification of the deposition of passivation technology and anti-reflective layers by PECVD vertical reactor
The processes of plasma deposition of thin dielectric layers having a wide application potential in the semiconductor industry and in the production of crystalline silicon solar cells. Layers deposited by PECVD process achieve high quality electronic properties and a high level of visual appearance. Vertical deposition furnace has several advantages - reduced footprint, easier handling and better substrates process parameters. The project also focuses on research and development in the field of the PECVD processes in production technology of crystalline silicon solar cells. Using PECVD processes will be developed solar cells with efficiency above 18% and solar cells for specialty applications.
MPO FR-TI1/574: The new generation of the photovoltaic module
The project is focused on efficient conversion of solar energy to electricity. New generation of photovoltaic module is based on the internal concentrator diffractive optics and small silicon chip size. The project involves developing of the solar cells and the modules.
MPO FR-TI1/305: Application of laser technology into the production process of crystalline silicon solar cells
The use of laser technology in the manufacture of solar cells is one of the ways increasing the conversion efficiency while lowering the time demands of some technological operations. Laser procedures are mainly used for selective structuring of layers, cutting, grooving and drilling. The project deals with research activities of laser beam on a silicon substrate and the optimization of processing parameters. The project is also focused on knowledge transfer from research to design and implementation of a prototype laser multifunction devices on an industrial scale.
MPO FR-TI1/168: Colored solar cells with high efficiency in architectural applications
Different color impression of silicon solar cells is currently achieved by changing the thickness of surface dielectric layer on the basis of SiNx. This approach results in up to 30% drop in conversion efficiency of solar cells (depending on the desired color perception). Another disadvantage is the limited options in terms of the resulting cells "colors". The submitted project solves the issue of structure design and manufacture of solar cells with the color conversion efficiency above 15% using the specific morphology of Si surfaces and multilayered dielectric structures with desired optical sensation (up to 4 layers of SiOx-based and SiNx) with minimal optical reflectivity throughout the rest of the usable spectrum field of solar cells and maximizes the internal reflectivity of both silicon interface in high quantum efficiency in the near infrared region by optimizing the morphology of the silicon back surface.
MPO FR-TI1/603:Implementation of effective application technology of thin anti-reflective and passivations layers in the production of crystalline solar cells.
Passivation and antireflection coatings of solar cells produced by Solartec are currently being implemented stoichiometric nitride. The project is focused on efficient conversion of solar energy to electricity. New generation of photovoltaic panel based on the internal concentrator diffractive and small silicon chip size. The project involves the gradual hierarchical solution photovoltaic cell and panel. Si3N4 layers grow on silicon substrates under very low pressure and high temperature (900C) from the gaseous phase of dichlorosilane and ammonia. High processing temperatures result in irreversible degradation of electronic properties of the starting substrates, which result in greatly limit the efficiency of the resulting solar cell. The project addresses the issue of passivation and deposition of thin anti-reflective coating technology research, based on magnetron sputtering. In terms of low-temperature plasma deposition is possible to realize a wide range of suitable materials, particularly where the advantage is the controllability of the process, determine the exact composition of the generated classes and easy reproducibility. The project includes research on non-chemical cleaning of silicon wafers immediately before deposition using plasma-activated hydrogen radicals.
MPO 2A-1TP1/075: Research on high temperature technology processes in the production of solar cells
The project deals with issues of economic and environmental high temperature technology manufacturing processes for the production of semiconductor solar cell structures from the design stage, manufacturing and testing of certain high temperature reactors (including development, innovation and sub-components and equipment) through the modification of the material properties of silicon substrates, properties of tuning properties of PN junction and anti-reflective and passivations layers to the final testing of manufactured structures. The main aim of of the project is both research and development of semiconductor solar cell structures with potential for high conversion efficiency (19%), as well as research, development and prototype testing of new manufacturing equipment for semiconductor technology, vertical diffusion furnace with vertical reaction zone.
Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports
1M06031 Project: Materials and components for environmental protection
The main goal of project is to develop methods, technologies and materials that will significantly limit the environmental impacts, which become horrific size with a very unpleasant global impacts. These emission are mainly produced by cars and exhalations arising from the production of electricity by burning fossil fuels. It will be developed technologies, materials and equipment, which is highly effective in reducing harmful exhaust emissions produced by automotive vehicles. These technologies and materials will serve to increase the efficiency of conversion of solar energy to electricity using solar cells and wind turbines. The current state of solar cells on the basis semiconductor layers of amorphous silicon guarantees the conversion efficiency up to 13%. By using the thin-layer technology of 2 and 3 generation or nano-technology can increase their efficiency.
European projects
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FP7-PEOPLE-ITN-2008: Materials and Interfaces for Energy Conversion and Storages
- Bridge the gap between advanced R&D results in nano technology and industrial (mass) production
- Demonstrate introduction of nanotech into high impact application areas
- Establish a sustainable network of leading European players
- Industrial oriented R&D
- Equipment supplier
- End-user industries
There is a conconsensus today that supplying a growing world population with energy is one of the biggest – if not the biggest – challenge mankind is facing in the 21st century. The reasons for this are numerous and are among others related to the observation that energy is critical to human development, including economic growth, equity and employment, and that fossil fuels – our current energy backbone – are slowly but inevitably declining. This generates an increasing demand of well-educated young scientists knowledgeable in materials science for energy conversion and storage, because a central problem for all forms of energy is their efficient generation or conversion as well as energy storage with sufficiently high density (e.g., hydrogen or biofuels). In this broader context, the proposed Marie Curie Initial Training Network (ITN) "MATCON" will concentrate on the following topics of fundamental importance:photo-electrochemical generation of hydrogen by water splitting, bio-inspired and biomimetic energy conversion, Thermoelectric and thermoionic heat conversion for all of these topics, alternative or new materials and materials combinations will be necessary to improve the efficiency of energy conversion or to overcome existing problems with stability. Therefore, the Network will also put considerable emphasis on the tailoring and development of specific materials for electrodes, substrates and functional interfaces. This expertise will be of central importance for the successful implementation of the different research topics outlined above and, at the same time, provide an ideal basis for the training of the young researchers in state of the art materials science and semiconductor technology.
CP-IP 214134-2 N2P: Flexible production technologies and equipment based on atmospheric pressure plasma processing for 3D nanostructured surfacess
Outstanding progress has been made in recent years in developing novel structures and applications for direct fabrication of 3D nanosurfaces. However, exploitation is limited by lack of suitable manufacturing technologies. In this project we will develop innovative in-line high throughput technologies based on atmospheric pressure surface and plasma technologies. The two identified approaches to direct 3D nanostructuring are etching for manufacturing of nanostructures tailored for specific applications, and coating. The overall project aims are: