Nov 23, 2023

(Nanowerk Information) The College of Ottawa, along with nationwide and worldwide companions, has achieved a world first by manufacturing the primary back-contact micrometric photovoltaic cells. This revolutionary achievement is described in additional element in Cell Studies Bodily Science (“3D interconnects for III-V semiconductor heterostructures for miniaturized energy gadgets”).

Key Takeaways

World-first achievement in manufacturing back-contact micrometric photovoltaic cells, providing important enhancements over conventional photo voltaic applied sciences.

These cells function decreased shadowing and potential for threefold decrease vitality manufacturing prices, contributing to developments in digital gadget miniaturization.

The innovation holds promise for various purposes, together with photo voltaic cells, house exploration batteries, and telecommunication gadget miniaturization, indicating a leap in the direction of extra environment friendly and highly effective know-how.

Photograph exhibiting the distinction between an ordinary photo voltaic cell and a miniaturized photo voltaic cell. (Picture: College of Ottawa)

The Analysis

The cells, with a measurement twice the thickness of a strand of hair, have important benefits over typical photo voltaic applied sciences, lowering electrode-induced shadowing by 95% and probably decreasing vitality manufacturing prices by as much as 3 times. The technological breakthrough—led by Mathieu de Lafontaine, a postdoctoral researcher on the College of Ottawa and a part-time physics professor; and Karin Hinzer, vice-dean, analysis, and College Analysis Chair in Photonic Gadgets for Vitality on the College of Engineering—paves the way in which for a brand new period of miniaturization within the area of digital gadgets. The micrometric photovoltaic cell manufacturing course of concerned a partnership between the College of Ottawa, the Université de Sherbrooke in Quebec and the Laboratoire des Applied sciences de la Microélectronique in Grenoble, France. “These micrometric photovoltaic cells have outstanding traits, together with an especially small measurement and considerably decreased shadowing. These properties lend themselves to numerous purposes, from densification of digital gadgets to areas equivalent to photo voltaic cells, light-weight nuclear batteries for house exploration and miniaturization of gadgets for telecommunications and the web of issues,” Hinzer says.

A breakthrough with enormous potential

“This technological breakthrough guarantees important advantages for society. Cheaper, extra highly effective photo voltaic cells will assist speed up the vitality shift. Light-weight nuclear batteries will facilitate house exploration, and miniaturization of gadgets will contribute to the expansion of the web of issues and result in extra highly effective computer systems and smartphones,” de Lafontaine says. “The event of those first back-contact micrometric photovoltaic cells is a vital step within the miniaturization of digital gadgets,” he provides. “Semiconductors are very important within the shift to a carbon-neutral economic system. This undertaking is one in every of many analysis initiatives that we’re endeavor on the College of Engineering to attain our societal targets,” says Hinzer. Semiconductors are included in three of the 5 analysis areas on the College of Engineering, specifically, info applied sciences, photonics and rising supplies, and two of the 4 strategic areas of analysis on the College of Ottawa, specifically, making a sustainable surroundings and shaping the digital world. This worldwide partnership between Canada and France illustrates the significance of innovation and analysis in micromanufacturing, main the way in which to a future by which know-how will grow to be extra highly effective and accessible than ever. It additionally marks an historic step within the evolution of the worldwide scientific and know-how scene.