SCI Engineered Materials, Inc. (SCI; Columbus, Ohio), a manufacturer of ceramics and metals for advanced applications using physical vapor deposition (PVD), on December 22nd, 2009 announced that the company may be awarded a 775,400 US-dollar grant by the Ohio Department of Development's "Ohio Third Frontier Photovoltaic Program" (OTFPVP), pending approval by the State of Ohio Controlling Board. The grant is to be used in collaboration with Robinson Fin Machines to commercialize the SCI's technology for high power density rotatable ceramic sputtering targets.

According to the press release, these targets can be used in the manufacture of thin film photovoltaic (PV) solar cells. Scott Campbell, Ph.D., Vice President of Technology at SCI, said: "We are pleased to have been selected by Ohio's Third Frontier Photovoltaic Program to help commercialize the high power density ceramic sputtering target attachment technology that SCI has proposed for thin film photovoltaic solar cell manufacturing applications. This technology will enable manufacturers to operate rotatable sputtering targets at higher power densities than current technology. Specific benefits include increased process throughput leading to lower photovoltaic solar cell modular costs in the future."

Technology to improve thin film PV production, lower costs

Dan Rooney, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SCI, stated: "During the past three years we have substantially increased our penetration in the solar market through the development and introduction of new products, expanded international sales and marketing activities, and increased participation in government programs to develop greater manufacturing efficiencies for solar manufacturers." According to Rooney, the OTFPVP award is the third that the company has received from the State of Ohio. "Earlier this month we received a follow-on order of approximately 1 million US-dollars from a solar customer. These products are expected to be manufactured and shipped during the first half of 2010", Rooney said. Other companies that were recommended for funds under the OTFPVP are Xunlight Corporation, Ferro Corporation, Glasstech Inc., Five Star Technologies, Inc. and Replex Plastics.

2009-12-30 | Courtesy: development.ohio.gov | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH