The College of Ottawa, along with nationwide and worldwide companions, has achieved a world first by manufacturing the primary back-contact micrometric photovoltaic cells.
The cells, with a dimension twice the thickness of a strand of hair, have important benefits over typical photo voltaic applied sciences, decreasing electrode-induced shadowing by 95% and probably reducing 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 Power on the School of Engineering — paves the way in which for a brand new period of miniaturization within the discipline 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 exceptional traits, together with a particularly small dimension and considerably decreased shadowing. These properties lend themselves to numerous purposes, from densification of digital gadgets to areas reminiscent of photo voltaic cells, light-weight nuclear batteries for area exploration and miniaturization of gadgets for telecommunications and the web of issues,” Hinzer says.
A breakthrough with large potential
“This technological breakthrough guarantees important advantages for society. Inexpensive, extra highly effective photo voltaic cells will assist speed up the vitality shift. Light-weight nuclear batteries will facilitate area 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 an important step within the miniaturization of digital gadgets,” he provides.
“Semiconductors are important within the shift to a carbon-neutral economic system. This undertaking is certainly one of many analysis initiatives that we’re endeavor on the School of Engineering to realize our societal targets,” says Hinzer. Semiconductors are included in three of the 5 analysis areas on the School of Engineering, particularly, info applied sciences, photonics and rising supplies, and two of the 4 strategic areas of analysis on the College of Ottawa, particularly, 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 wherein 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.
This initiative was funded by the Pure Sciences and Engineering Analysis Council of Canada, the Fonds de recherche du Québec Nature et applied sciences, the Horizon Europe Framework program, Immediate Québec and STACE Inc.
