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SBIR Phase I: Continuous Production of Crystalline Silicon Sheet for Solar Cell

Award Information
Agency: National Science Foundation
Branch: N/A
Contract: 1143121
Agency Tracking Number: 1143121
Amount: $150,000.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: NM
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2012
Award Year: 2012
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2012-01-01
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2012-12-31
Small Business Information
4244 Yarmouth Drive
Allison Park, PA 15101-1568
United States
DUNS: 786729561
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Kwong Ho Chan
 (412) 916-5222
 khchan@ilsystems.net
Business Contact
 Kwong Ho Chan
Phone: (412) 916-5222
Email: khchan@ilsystems.net
Research Institution
 Stub
Abstract

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to develop a design concept and demonstrate the feasibility of a continuous process to produce low-cost silicon wafers for solar cells. The approach is to cool a molten bath of silicon from the top to be below its melting point, producing a thin silicon sheet directly from the molten silicon bath. This technique allows the monocrystalline or highly textured silicon sheets to be continuously produced. A liquid or solid layer will be used to support the silicon and ensure uniformity. The broader/commercial impact of this project will be the potential to significantly reduce the cost of silicon wafers for solar cells. Today, the cost of silicon wafers is about 45% of the total cost of a complete solar panel. This process is expected to reduce the cost of silicon wafer by 40-65%, and thus, greatly reduce overall cost per watt of electricity generated from solar cells.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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