NEWS
quattroClean snow jet technology for cleaning electrodes
Automated cleaning process for printed photovoltaic modules manufactured using roll-to-roll technology
R
oll-to-roll production lines enable printed photovoltaic modules to be produced particularly cost-effectively. To avoid short circuits, however, conductive burrs created when the front electrode is laser structured previously had to be removed manually in a way that was not compatible with the industrial process. In a joint project, a fully
Advanced Interconnection_CIE 210x130 ad template 13/10/2021 11:31 Page 1
automated CO2 snow-jet cleaning solution was developed that can be integrated into the production line to eliminate this problem. With a layer thickness of between 0.5 and one micrometer and high efficiency even when solar radiation levels are low, flexible printed photovoltaic cells open up a wide range of applications when it comes to supplying solar energy. In the field of printed photovoltaics, the roll-to-roll process offers major advantages in terms of production speed, volume and costs. The five layers of the modules, which are based on organic and perovskite semiconductors, can be processed individually. The bottom layer, a transparent IMI electrode (structure: indium tin oxide, silver, indium tin oxide), is structured by laser. Burrs are formed along the structured edges, which are conductive and protrude a few micrometers from the surface. If they are not removed, they will
Nürnberg, Sciprios GmbH and acp systems
AG, initiated the “PV-CO2” research project funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). The aim
Fig 1 The compact cleaning module can be adapted to the respective web width and easily integrated into roll-to-roll production lines.
cause damage and short circuits due to the thinness of the modules. The current practice is to remove the burrs mechanically at very low web speeds. However, there is a risk of the structured layers becoming damaged due to the mechanical impact.
Development of an automated, in-line cleaning solution
To solve this problem when manufacturing printed photovoltaic modules on roll-to-roll production lines, the Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (I-MEET) together with the Solar Factory of the Future at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-
Fig 2 The automated CO2 snow jet cleaning system ensures that burrs are reliably removed in a process
that is suitable for industrial use. The cleaning effect is based on a combination of thermal, mechanical, solvent and sublimation effects.
was to develop a fully automated CO2 snow jet cleaning system for industrial use based on acp’s quattroClean snow jet technology. This is a dry process which is used for full- surface and selective cleaning applications. The cleaning medium is liquid carbon dioxide recycled from chemical production processes and energy generation from biomass. The carbon dioxide is guided through a wear-free two-substance ring nozzle and expands on exiting to form fine
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APRIL 2024 | ELECTRONICS FOR ENGINEERS
Photo credit: Research project team PV-CO2
Photo credit: Research project team PV-CO2
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