Collaborative Research: SiSoC Center Proposal

该提案正式建立了一个多所大学硅太阳能联盟（SiSoC），作为NSF的一部分。美国产学研合作研究中心（I/UCRC）项目。佐治亚理工学院和北卡罗莱纳州立大学（牵头机构）将维持研究基地，合作研究、制造和表征先进的光伏（PV）材料和设备。该中心的目标是帮助重建美国硅光伏产业的全球领导地位，通过政府与太阳能电力行业共同刺激高质量的大学水平的研究和教育，同时发展扩大和熟练的劳动力。该中心将与其他大学和政府机构合作，汇集目前参与光伏研究和开发的领先学术机构。研究强调材料表征，从而对太阳能电池材料的缺陷/杂质/机械行为的影响有了基本的了解，以适应单晶和多晶硅片、薄膜和纳米级光伏科学技术的各种需求。结果将为加工先进的硅光伏结构和器件创造策略。研究还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上。SiSoC将有助于在急需的领域培养熟练的劳动力。这将通过NSF和其他政府机构，以及太阳能发电行业共同推动高质量的大学水平的研究和教育来实现。研究活动也将通过学生在行业成员所在地实习来加强。该中心还将通过本科生研究体验等项目，为未被充分代表的少数民族/女性提供参与光伏材料研究的机会。

This proposal formally establishs a multi-university Silicon Solar Consortium (SiSoC) as part of NSF?s Industry/University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRC) program. The Georgia Institute of Technology and North Carolina State University (the lead institution) will maintain research sites to collaborate on research, fabrication, and characterization of advanced photovoltaic (PV) materials and devices. The proposed center's goal is to help reestablish a global leadership role for the U.S. 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 Center will collaborate with other university and government agencies bringing together the leading academic institutions currently involved in PV research and development. Research emphasizes materials characterization leading to a fundamental understanding of impact of defects/impurities/mechanical behavior of solar cell materials to accommodate various needs of both single- and multi-crystalline Si wafers, thin films and nanoscale PV science and technology. Results will create strategies for processing advanced silicon PV structures and devices. Research will also focus on reducing the cost of PV generated electricity and designing and fabricating high efficiency solar cells.SiSoC will help develop a skilled workforce in a much needed area. This will be enabled by having NSF and other government agencies, together with the solar-electric power industry jointly stimulating high quality university level research and education. Research activity will also be strengthened through student internships at industry member locations. This center will also be used to compliment efforts for outreach and improve opportunities for underrepresented minorities/women to participate in PV materials research through such programs as the Research Experiences for Undergraduates.