Nov 16 2009
The California Institute of Technology and the Dow Chemical have recently signed an agreement involving a solar energy related research program, which is regarded to be in the long-term interest of both businesses.
The main aim of the research agreement is to develop direct band gap materials using commonly available and less expensive materials for use in state-of-the-art photovoltaic semiconductors. The companies hope that this research will help them to develop new PV manufacturing technology and explore new space designs. Furthermore, the companies seek to establish a scientific and technological platform for thin-film conversion of solar energy.
The research will be undertaken for a period of four years, and the researchers will work to build new direct band gap photovoltaic modules from the commonly available materials. The agreement between California Institute of Technology and the Dow Chemical reflects their common interests in solar energy.
Dow Chemical has recently launched Dow Powerhouse Solar Shingle, which enables easy installation and also costs less. The solar product comprises CIGS, and thin films of compound semiconductor to convert sunlight into electricity. CIGS (copper, indium, gallium, and selenium) is a thin, direct band gap material, which is incorporated into solar products, for enabling the generation of electricity from sunlight. However, these CIGS are expensive, as some of the elements used in the making are not found in plenty despite having high demand, which makes them rare and expensive.
Using such materials for developing solar modules makes solar energy harnessing an expensive technology, faced with poor adoption. The research collaboration of the two companies is targeted at developing photovoltaic materials, which cost less, and yet yield higher efficiency. The research collaboration is also expected to allow scientists from the two companies to work together and develop breakthrough technology, which can address the current concerns of solar energy technologies.
The Dow Chemical Company Graduate Fellowship in Chemical Sciences and Engineering has also been announced by the two companies. The fellowship will be granted for two years to deserving doctoral students in their second or third year for conducting research programs focusing on the development of new chemicals and polymer systems aligned with the interests of the companies in the area of solar energy.
Source: Dow Chemical