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

小企业技术转让研究（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。 如果可以实现转换效率的改进和/或更低的生产成本，则薄膜硅光伏模块通过减少的材料利用率和更低的处理温度来提供晶体硅模块的潜在更低成本的替代方案。 该计划的目标是开发一种基于光学发射光谱和人工神经网络（ANN）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开发和制造提供显著优势，为美国制造商提供竞争优势，并帮助重新建立美国以前在光伏电池领域的全球市场主导地位。在世界范围内，太阳能发电的好处是多方面的。太阳能是无污染的，不产生大气排放物或温室气体。 它是一种丰富的可再生能源，可用于世界上其他能源无法获得的偏远地区。

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.