Dave Savastano09.15.09
Optomec will showcase its patented Aerosol Jet Printing System for higher efficiency solar cells, at the 24th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (PVSEC) in Hamburg, Germany on Sept. 21- 24.
Optomec’s Aerosol Jet system provides high-resolution, non-contact printing of a wide variety of functional materials onto mono- and multi-crystalline cells with highly textured surfaces. The initial application focus is production of front-side collectors with line widths as narrow as 40 micron to significantly reduce shadow effects. Optomec will be available to discuss the Aerosol Jet System in their stand, B5/12. The Aerosol Jet high-throughput production solution will also be on display in the Manz Automation/Roth & Rau booth (Stand B5/31), showing how the patented Aerosol Jet Solar Print Engine in their back end manufacturing line is capable of processing 2,400 wafers/hour.
During the conference, Dr. Bruce King, head of Optomec’s photovoltaic solution development efforts, will present further information in the visual presentation area. His poster is titled “Progress Towards Fully Printed Collector Lines Using Aerosol Jet Printing for Front-Side Metallization of High Efficiency Solar Cells.” King’s presentation will highlight recent enhancements to the Aerosol Jet system that will lead to the full printing of high aspect ratio collector lines, including the potential for multi-material collector lines that are separately optimized for contact and conductivity.
Additionally, Dr. Alison Lennon from the ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Silicon Photovoltaics and Photonics at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) will present a new method for patterned etching of SiO2 and SiNx dielectic layers using Aerosol Jet printing. The UNSW patented method involves fewer steps than photolithography and is safer than existing immersion etching techniques as the corrosive etchant is only formed in-situ on the surface to be etched. Furthermore, the method uses small amounts of inexpensive chemicals and produces significantly less hazardous fluoride waste than existing immersion etching methods. In her visual presentation, Lennon will also discuss the ability of the Aerosol Jet system to achieve finer-scale patterning than has been previously achieved with currently available inkjet devices and the associated potential for improving overall cell performance.
Optomec’s Aerosol Jet system provides high-resolution, non-contact printing of a wide variety of functional materials onto mono- and multi-crystalline cells with highly textured surfaces. The initial application focus is production of front-side collectors with line widths as narrow as 40 micron to significantly reduce shadow effects. Optomec will be available to discuss the Aerosol Jet System in their stand, B5/12. The Aerosol Jet high-throughput production solution will also be on display in the Manz Automation/Roth & Rau booth (Stand B5/31), showing how the patented Aerosol Jet Solar Print Engine in their back end manufacturing line is capable of processing 2,400 wafers/hour.
During the conference, Dr. Bruce King, head of Optomec’s photovoltaic solution development efforts, will present further information in the visual presentation area. His poster is titled “Progress Towards Fully Printed Collector Lines Using Aerosol Jet Printing for Front-Side Metallization of High Efficiency Solar Cells.” King’s presentation will highlight recent enhancements to the Aerosol Jet system that will lead to the full printing of high aspect ratio collector lines, including the potential for multi-material collector lines that are separately optimized for contact and conductivity.
Additionally, Dr. Alison Lennon from the ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Silicon Photovoltaics and Photonics at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) will present a new method for patterned etching of SiO2 and SiNx dielectic layers using Aerosol Jet printing. The UNSW patented method involves fewer steps than photolithography and is safer than existing immersion etching techniques as the corrosive etchant is only formed in-situ on the surface to be etched. Furthermore, the method uses small amounts of inexpensive chemicals and produces significantly less hazardous fluoride waste than existing immersion etching methods. In her visual presentation, Lennon will also discuss the ability of the Aerosol Jet system to achieve finer-scale patterning than has been previously achieved with currently available inkjet devices and the associated potential for improving overall cell performance.