I/UCRC: Collaborative Research - Proposal for Phase II of the SiSoC NSF I/UCRC

该提案要求为北卡罗来纳州立大学(NCSU)和佐治亚理工学院(GT)提供第二阶段资金，以继续作为硅太阳能联盟(SiSoC)的活跃地点。NCSU是牵头机构，而GIT则是一个合作伙伴网站。拟议中的中心的目标是通过让政府与太阳能-电力行业共同促进高质量的大学水平的研究和教育，同时培养更多和熟练的劳动力，帮助重建美国硅光伏行业的全球领导角色。NCSU研究中心将强调材料表征，从而从根本上了解缺陷/杂质/太阳能电池材料的机械行为的影响，强调开发先进的表征工具，以满足单晶硅和多晶硅晶片、薄膜和纳米光伏科学和技术的各种需求。GT的研究将集中在降低光伏发电成本和设计和制造高效太阳能电池。他们在为下一代硅太阳能电池开发低成本材料和快速热工艺方面的专业知识将为具有光伏知识的学生提供培训和丰富教育经验。SiSoC将积极培养一支熟练的劳动力队伍，同时满足快速增长的清洁能源需求，强调将对我们星球的环境影响降至最低。这将通过让其他政府机构与太阳能-电力行业共同推动高质量的大学水平的研究和教育来实现。具体的科学成果将通过每半年一次的SiSoC审查会议、会议报告和出版物广泛传播。研究活动还将通过在行业成员所在地的学生实习来扩大。PIS计划在NSFs REU计划下聘请本科生作为实验室助手，为代表不足的少数族裔/妇女参与光伏材料研究创造一个极好的外展机会。

The proposal requests Phase II funding for the North Carolina State University (NCSU) and Georgia Tech (GT) to remain as active sites in the Center for Silicon Solar Consortium (SiSoC). NCSU is the lead institution while GIT is a "Partner" site. The proposed center's goal is to help reestablish a global leadership role for the US Silicon PV industry by having government together with the solar-electric power industry jointly stimulate high quality university level research and education, while developing an expanded and skilled workforce. The NCSU research center will emphasize materials characterization leading to a fundamental understanding of impact of defects/impurities/mechanical behavior of solar cell materials emphasizing the development of advanced characterization tools to accommodate the various needs of both single- and multi-crystalline Si wafers, thin films and nanoscale PV science and technology. The GT research will focus on reducing the cost of PV generated electricity and designing and fabricating high efficiency solar cells. Their demonstrated expertise in developing low-cost materials and rapid thermal processes for next generation silicon solar cells will provide training and enriching the educational experience of PV knowledgeable students. SiSoC will actively develop a skilled workforce, while meeting the rapidly growing demand for clean energy with an emphasis on minimal environmental impact on our planet. This will be enabled by having other government agencies, together with the solar-electric power industry jointly stimulating high quality university level research and education. The specific scientific results will be widely disseminated through semi-annual SiSoC review meetings, conference presentations, and publications. The research activity will also be amplified through student internships at industry member locations. The PIs plan to hire undergraduates as lab assistance under NSFs REU Program to create an excellent outreach opportunity for underrepresented minorities/women to participate in PV materials research.