Potential Precursor to Flexible, High Efficiency Tandem Solar
Cell
RED BANK, N.J., Feb. 17, 2015 /CNW/ -- Scientists working
with Natcore Technology Inc. (TSX-V: NXT; NTCXF.PK) in the
Rice University laboratories of Prof.
Andrew Barron, a Natcore co-founder,
have successfully formed a heterojunction solar cell using
germanium quantum dots on an ordinary n-type silicon wafer.
Individual germanium quantum dots were coated with silicon
dioxide (silica), doped to make them p-type, and then deposited,
using Natcore's liquid phase deposition (LPD) process, on a
commercial-grade silicon wafer. The LPD process was developed at
Rice and is licensed exclusively to
Natcore.
"Very simply put, we used our proprietary process to 'dope'
silica-coated germanium quantum dots and arrange them in a silica
film atop a commercial silicon wafer. We then put contacts on the
coated wafer to create a cell, and exposed it to light. We obtained
a net power out of the device," says Dr. Dennis Flood, Natcore's Chief Technology Officer
and also a company co-founder.
Quantum-dot solar cells have the potential to be
transformational for terrestrial solar energy, with efficiencies
far above anything available commercially today.
The advantage lies in the fact that by carefully controlling the
size of the quantum dots, the cell can be "tuned" to capture energy
from a specific spectrum of light. The portion of the spectrum not
captured passes to the next layer below, where it can then be
captured by either a specifically tuned lower quantum-dot cell or
even an ordinary silicon cell.
Thus, using "multijunction" or "tandem" cells with two or more
layers of quantum-dot cells, much more of the solar spectrum can be
converted to energy. In contrast, current single junction solar
cells are most efficient for only a limited portion of the solar
spectrum.
"To our knowledge, no one else has been able to successfully
dope and arrange silicon or germanium quantum dots into layers
using a process such as Natcore's, which appears to be ideal for
mass production," notes Flood.
Tandem solar cells are a proven technology in space
applications. The major issue preventing their broad use in
earth-based applications has been the need to use exotic
semiconducting materials for the upper layers.
The cell created in Dr. Barron's laboratory for Natcore uses
relatively abundant and inexpensive germanium, with the coated
quantum dot having been characterized as a "p-type" material.
This heterojunction cell, with p-type quantum dots on an n-type
silicon wafer, is an important step toward a cell in which quantum
dots are used to form both the p-type and n-type materials. Once
this next step is achieved, it will open the door to potential
ultra-high-efficiency, multi-junction solar cells.
"This is a truly exciting time for Natcore and our
shareholders," says Chuck Provini,
Natcore's president and CEO. "We are one step away — n-type quantum
dots — from our ultimate goal in our quantum dot solar cell
program.
About Natcore Technology
Natcore Technology is focused on using its proprietary
nanotechnology discoveries to enable a variety of compelling
applications in the solar industry. Specifically, the company is
advancing applications in laser processing, black silicon and
quantum-dot solar cells to significantly lower the costs and
improve the power output of solar cells. With 64 patents (21
granted and 43 pending) Natcore is on the leading edge of solar
research. www.natcoresolar.com
Statements herein other than purely historical factual
information, including statements relating to revenues or profits,
or Natcore's future plans and objectives, or expected sales, cash
flows, and capital expenditures constitute forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements are based on numerous
assumptions and are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties
inherent in Natcore's business, including risks inherent in the
technology history. There can be no assurance that such
forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual
results and future events could differ materially from those
anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not
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applicable securities laws, Natcore expressly disclaims any
obligation to update any forward-looking statements or
forward-looking statements that are incorporated by reference
herein.
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accuracy of this release.
Contact:
Chuck Provini
732-576-8800
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visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/natcore-produces-first-germanium-quantum-dot-based-solar-cell-300036898.html
SOURCE Natcore Technology Inc.
