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Controlling Thin Film Structures for Efficient Solar Energy Storage

Summary: A theoretical and numerical framework has been developed by researchers at Purdue University to predict the microstructures that result from the PVD process including islands, mesas, and thin and thick films. The developed theory describes commercially-viable time scales (from seconds to hours) and length scales (nanometers to millimeters). The developed infrastructure removes the limitations the two major existing individual simulation techniques possessed while taking advantage of their individual benefits. This technology would give users a more complete and accurate prediction of the microstructure that will result from vapor deposition. A major application of thin films is in photovoltaic cells. When developers can monitor both microface structure evolution and PVD growth, they can create higher quality solar cells that can store energy more effectively.

Technology Benefits: Simultaneous describe PVD growth and internal microstructureMore practical time and length scales

Technology Application: Solar industrySolar panel manufacturers

Detailed Technology Description: R. Edwin GarciaR. Edwin Garcia Research GroupPurdue Materials Engineering

Countries: United States

Application No.: None

*Abstract

*Background: When creating thin films through vapor deposition, researchers often have to choose between simulating the microface structure evolution and simulating the physical vapor deposition (PVD) growth. The two most common methods, diffuse interface and sharp interface, have not been conducted at the same time without a significant compromise in the physical realism. These methodologies simulate growth at impractical, small length, short time scales, making existing approaches impractical for descriptions of industrial/commercial systems.

*IP Issue Date: None

*IP Type: Provisional

*Stage of Development: Prototype Testing

*Web Links: Purdue Office of Technology CommercializationPurdueInnovation and EntrepreneurshipR. Edwin GarciaR. Edwin Garcia Research GroupPurdue Materials Engineering

Country/Region: USA

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