Project Info
Semiconductor wafer reuse by controlled fracture to reduce the cost of photovoltaics
Corinne Packard | cpackard@mines.edu
III-V photovoltaics have the highest efficiency (which is why they are used in space), but are also the most expensive (which is why they are not used extensively on land). Our project seeks to reduce the cost of high efficiency photovoltaics by reducing the substrate cost, which is currently the most expensive part of the solar cell by developing methods to effectively reuse the substrate many times.
More Information
https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy19osti/72103.pdf
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0040609018300476
https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/1.4939661
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/pip.2776
Grand Engineering Challenge: Make solar energy economical
Student Preparation
Qualifications
Interest in materials science, ability to perform unit conversions, careful attention to detail in performing experimental plans and documenting procedure.
Time Commitment
40-80 hours/month
Skills/Techniques Gained
Electroplating, preparing chemical solutions, maybe SEM or AFM in 2nd semester. More characterization skills if participation in project extends past 1 year.
Mentoring Plan
The student will be involved in weekly subgroup meetings and monthly group meetings. The student will work closely under the direction of a post-doctoral researcher or graduate student. The student will have opportunities to present work orally in presentations.