SBIR Phase I: Real time optical control system for thin film solar cell manufacturing

这个小型企业创新研究第一阶段研究项目涉及下一代薄膜太阳能电池和电池板制造中的实时光学控制系统。建议的系统通过提高单个太阳能电池和电池板的质量来改进薄膜太阳能电池的制造。它允许制造更一致和更均匀的产品，从而实现更高的太阳能转换效率和制造产量。拟议的系统使用专利微型光纤传感器，安装在薄膜沉积室的许多位置。他们监测基片上的不同点，并实时测量薄膜的性能。该系统将测量值与目标值进行比较，并提供即时校正，提高了薄膜的均匀性，缩小了材料性能分布。它将大部分产品退回到其目标规格，否则将被拒绝。这一建议将减少浪费，提高薄膜太阳能电池和面板的制造产量和转换效率。它对大尺寸太阳能电池板有特别的好处，由于制造产量不足，如今制造成本更高。这项拟议的技术将缩短太阳能电池板达到与传统能源并网发电所需的时间。拟议的技术还将促进下一代薄膜产品的许多其他应用的开发，如光子晶体、纳米技术、超材料、多结太阳能电池、印刷和假冒控制。该奖项由2009年美国复苏和再投资法案(公共法律111-5)资助。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I research project relates to a real-time optical control system in the manufacture of next generation thin film solar cells and panels. The proposed system improves thin film solar cell manufacturing by improving the quality of the individual solar cells and panels. It allows manufacturing of more consistent and uniform products resulting in higher solar conversion efficiency and manufacturing yield. The proposed system uses patented miniature fiber optic sensors, installed at many locations in the film deposition chambers. They monitor different spots on the substrate and obtain real time measurements of film properties. The system compares the measured with the targeted values and provides immediate correction, improving film uniformity and narrowing material property distribution. It returns most of the products to their targeted specification, which would otherwise be rejected.This proposal will reduce waste and improve the manufacturing yield and the conversion efficiency of thin film solar cells and panels. It has specific benefits for the large-size solar panels, which are manufactured at higher cost today due to insufficient manufacturing yield. The proposed technology will reduce the time it takes for solar panels to reach grid parity with traditional energy sources. The proposed technology will also facilitate the development of numerous other applications for next generation thin film based products such as photonic crystals, nanotechnology, meta-materials, multi-junction solar cells, printing and counterfeiting control.This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).