| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/K008633/1 |
| Title: |
Towards Sinter-free Printing of Photovoltaic Cell Interconnects |
| Principal Investigator: |
Sutcliffe, Professor CJ |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Centre for Materials and Structures |
| Organisation: |
University of Liverpool |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research |
| Starts: |
01 October 2012 |
Ends: |
30 September 2015 |
Value (£): |
364,495
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Manufacturing Machine & Plant |
Solar Technology |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Manufacturing |
Electronics |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
| Panel Date | Panel Name | Outcome |
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31 Jul 2012
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Engineering Prioritisation Meeting - 31 July
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Announced
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
Metal thin films are used in a wide variety of technologies, such as solar cells and printed circuit boards for electronics. Inkjet printing has emerged as a practical and low-cost route for manufacturing electrical contacts in these applications. However existing manufacturing technologies use inks that often require a final heat treatment to consolidate or 'sinter' the film. If this last step can be eliminated, by depositing fully dense films, then the inkjet manufacturing process could be applied to temperature sensitive substrates like plastics or vulnerable semiconductor materials.
The purpose of this project is to develop 'sinter-free' inkjet manufacturing processes, by taking ink precursors developed for other thin film processes, and exploiting them to use the significant benefits of inkjet process technology e.g. the direct writing of interconnects or wires. If successful, the project will represent a step-change in the manufacturing methods for this type of film.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.liv.ac.uk |