Applied Nanotech to receive funding for the development of solar technology

copper ink printed on glass with line resolutions from 0.025 to 2mm.

Applied Nanotech Holdings, Inc. (Austin, Texas), a research and commercialization company focused on solving problems at the molecular level, in August 2009 announced that it had been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to receive a contract of approximately 750,000 US-dollars for the development of non-contact, printable metallic inks for silicon solar cells. According to the press release, Applied Nanotech will focus on improving methods for the application of metallic electrodes to silicon photovoltaic (PV) substrates using its unique metallic nanoparticle-based inks during this two year Phase II Small Business Innovation Research program.   Electrical contacts are a critical part of PV technology and represent a difficult and costly area for solar cell production, Applied Nanotech emphasizes. The development program is expected to exploit advances in nanotechnology to lower manufacturing costs and improve solar cell efficiency. The program is believed to be particularly important because using very thin silicon wafers in an effort to reduce silicon usage has resulted in wafers that are susceptible to breakage when utilizing traditional contact printing methods such as screen printing. "Our company is just beginning our foray into renewable energy. This funding will allow us to continue to build upon our expertise in development of nanoparticle-based technical inks for applications of global significance with strong commercial potential", said Douglas Baker, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Applied Nanotech Holdings, Inc.

2009-09-02   Courtesy: Applied Nanotech Holdings, Inc.   Solarserver.de   © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Applied Nanotech Holdings, Inc.