Albuquerque, New Mexico: Optomec announced today that they will showcase their patented Aerosol Jet® Printing System for higher efficiency solar cells, at the 24th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (PVSEC) in Hamburg, Germany on September 21st- 24th. Optomec’s Aerosol Jet system provides high-resolution, non-contact printing of a wide variety of functional materials onto mono and multi-crystalline cells with highly textured surfaces. The initial application focus is production of front-side collectors with line widths as narrow as 40 micron to significantly reduce shadow effects. Optomec will be available to discuss the Aerosol Jet System in their Stand, # B5/12. The Aerosol Jet high-throughput production solution will also be on display in the Manz Automation/Roth & Rau booth (Stand # B5/31), showing how the patented Aerosol Jet Solar Print Engine in their back end manufacturing line is capable of processing 2400 wafers/hour.

During the conference, Dr. Bruce King, head of Optomec's photovoltaic solution development efforts, will present further information in the Visual Presentation area. His poster is entitled “Progress Towards Fully Printed Collector Lines Using Aerosol Jet Printing for Front-Side Metallization of High Efficiency Solar Cells”. Dr. King’s presentation will highlight recent enhancements to the Aerosol Jet system that will lead to the full printing of high aspect ratio collector lines, including the potential for multi-material collector lines that are separately optimized for contact and conductivity. To schedule a one-on-one meeting with Dr. King or other Optomec executive staff, click here.

Additionally, Dr. Alison Lennon from the ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Silicon Photovoltaics and Photonics at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) will present a new method for patterned etching of SiO2 and SiNx dielectic layers using Aerosol Jet printing. The UNSW patented method involves fewer steps than photolithography and is safer than existing immersion etching techniques as the corrosive etchant is only formed in-situ on the surface to be etched. Furthermore, the method uses small amounts of inexpensive chemicals and produces significantly less hazardous fluoride waste than existing immersion etching methods. In her visual presentation, Dr. Lennon will also discuss the ability of the Aerosol Jet system to achieve finer-scale patterning than has been previously achieved with currently available inkjet devices and the associated potential for improving overall cell performance.

The UNSW ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Silicon Photovoltaics and Photonics is internationally recognized for its research in the area of photovoltaics. It was the first organization in the world to offer undergraduate training in the area of Photovoltaics and Solar Energy, and has since extended the educational programs it offers to include postgraduate and research training opportunities. Opportunities exist for licensing and collaborative research of its photovoltaic technology via the technology transfer office New South Innovations (www.nsinnovations.com).

Optomec is the world-leading provider of additive manufacturing systems for high-performance applications in the Electronics, Photovoltaic, Biomedical, and Aerospace & Defense markets. These systems utilize Optomec’s proprietary Aerosol Jet Printed Electronics technology and LENS® powder-metal fabrication technology. The company has a global customer base of more than 90 users that includes many industry-leading manufacturers.