STTR PHASE I: In-situ Diagnostics and Process Control Based on Optical Emission Spectroscopy and Neural Networks for Manufacturing Thin Film Silicon Photovoltaic Materials

小型企业技术转移研究（STTR）第一阶段项目将解决对先进过程控制系统的需求，以改进光伏电池的制造。如果转换效率的提高和/或生产成本的降低可以实现，薄膜硅光伏组件通过减少材料利用率和降低加工温度，为晶体硅组件提供潜在的低成本替代方案。该项目的目标是开发一种基于光学发射光谱和人工神经网络（ANNs）的智能传感器，用于薄膜硅太阳能电池制造过程中的过程监测和控制。第一阶段将演示传感器技术并开发人工神经网络模型。该项目产生的过程控制系统将为光伏电池技术的开发和制造提供显著的优势，为美国制造商提供竞争优势，并帮助美国重新建立以前在全球光伏市场的主导地位。在世界范围内，太阳能的好处数不胜数。太阳能是无污染的，不产生大气排放或温室气体。它是一种丰富的可再生能源，可以在世界上无法获得其他能源的偏远地区使用。

The Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) Phase I project will address the need for an advanced process control system for improved manufacturing of photovoltaic cells. Thin film silicon photovoltaic modules offer a potentially lower cost alternative to crystalline silicon modules through reduced materials utilization and lower processing temperatures if improvements in conversion efficiencies and/or lower production costs can be achieved. The objective of this program is to develop an intelligent sensor based on optical emission spectroscopy and artificial neural networks (ANNs), for process monitoring and control during manufacturing of thin film silicon solar cells. Phase I will demonstrate the sensor technology and develop the ANN model. The process control system resulting from this project will provide significant advantages in photovoltaic cell technology development and manufacturing, providing a competitive edge to U.S. manufacturers and helping to re-establish the previous U.S. global market dominance in photovoltaics. Worldwide, the benefits of solar power are numerous. Solar energy is non-polluting, producing no atmospheric emissions or greenhouse gases. It is an abundant, renewable source of energy and can be employed in remote areas of the world where other energy sources are inaccessible.