US-Sri Lanka Cooperative Research: Low-cost Fabrication of Thin Film Solar Cell Devices

描述：本提案旨在支持南佛罗里达大学坦帕分校物理系Sarath Witanachchi博士和斯里兰卡科伦坡工业技术研究所材料技术部主任M.G.M.U. Ismail博士的合作研究项目。他们计划研究生产薄膜太阳能装置的过程，以及降低成本的潜力，以作为一种经济的能源。在发展中国家，特别是没有化石燃料资源的国家，太阳能等可再生能源有很大的市场。此外，环境方面的考虑也增加了对清洁能源的需求。然而，硅太阳能电池生产的高成本和缺乏新的薄膜光伏技术的知识限制了大多数发展中国家对太阳能可再生能源的努力仅限于少数示范项目。两位科学家计划研究利用化学加工方法合成光伏电池，通过优化喷雾热解工艺沉积透明导体和有源半导体组件，以及开发烧结工艺生长有源半导体，所有这些都基于玻璃衬底。此外，他们计划研究这种技术在发展中国家的工艺限制和潜在市场，并获取生产成本数据，这些数据可能对有意建立海外业务的美国公司有用。范围：大部分研究将在斯里兰卡进行，因为这项技术需要廉价的设备。这项研究使美国PI将他在真空太阳能电池薄膜生长技术方面的知识扩展到化学处理薄膜生长的新领域。伊斯梅尔博士是斯里兰卡最大的政府研究实验室材料部门的负责人，预计将通过他在材料制造和表征方面的专业知识为该项目做出贡献。拟议的项目具有创新性和探索性，研究人员计划解决该领域所有相关的科学和工程问题。这种合作的好处包括有可能促进在斯里兰卡建立生产设施、培训两国的研究生和促进无害环境的技术。PI将受益于他对发展中国家太阳能电池技术需求的了解，而合作科学家将受益于获得USF太阳能电池制造技术的经验。该提案符合INT支持互利国际合作的目标。该项目由国际项目司和化学与运输系统司共同资助。

0080571WitanachchiDescription: This proposal is to support a cooperative research project by Dr. Sarath Witanachchi, Department of Physics, University of South Florida, Tampa and Dr. M.G.M.U. Ismail, Head, Materials Technology Division, the Industrial Technology Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka. They plan to investigate the process of producing thin film solar devices, and the potential of reducing the costs for possible use as an economical energy source. There is a significant market for renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, in developing countries, especially those with no fossil fuel resources. In addition environmental considerations are increasing the demand for clean energy. However, the high cost of silicon solar cell production and lack of knowledge in new thin film photovoltaic (PV) technologies are limiting solar renewable energy efforts to a handful of demonstration projects in most developing countries. The two scientists plan to investigate the synthesis of photovoltaic cells using chemical processing methods, through optimization of spray pyrolysis processes for the deposition of the transparent conductors and active semiconductor components, and development of sintering processes for the growth of active semiconductors, all based on glass substrates. In addition they plan to examine the process limitations and the potential markets for this technology in developing countries and to acquire production-cost data that may be useful for US companies interested in setting up overseas operations.Scope: Most of the research will be carried out in Sri Lanka, as the technology requires inexpensive equipment. The research allows the US PI to extend his knowledge in vacuum-based solar cell thin film growth techniques into a new area of thin film growth by chemical processing. Dr. Ismail heads the materials division in Sri Lanka's largest governmental research laboratory, and is expected to contribute to the project through his expertise in materials manufacture and characterization. The proposed project is innovative and is exploratory in nature, and the investigators plan to address all relevant scientific and engineering issues in the field. The benefits of the collaboration include potential advances that may facilitate the establishment of production facilities in Sri Lanka, the training of graduate students in both countries, and the promotion of an environmentally friendly technology. The PI will benefit from his exposure to the requirements of solar cell technology in a developing country, and the collaborating scientist will benefit from having access to the experience in solar-cell fabrication technology available at the USF. The proposal meets INT objectives for supporting mutually beneficial international collaboration. This project is co-funded by the Division of International Programs and by the Division of Chemical and Transport Systems.