Applied Nanotech launches new solar inks pilot manufacturing line

AUSTIN, USA: Applied Nanotech Holdings Inc. has announced the official launch of its new solar inks pilot manufacturing line with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, May 6, 2011 at 2:00pm CDT at Applied Nanotech's newly extended facility.

The ceremony will begin with comments by Lee Leffingwell, Austin City Mayor, Lloyd Doggett, Congressman, 25th District of Texas and Applied Nanotech executive officers, Dr. Zvi Yaniv, and Doug Baker. The launch will end with a tour of the facility and a networking hour.

Applied Nanotech's nanoparticle ink technology formulations of aluminum, copper, nickel and silver will be delivered using aerosolized jet, inkjet and spray coating methods and other non-contact printing techniques that will enable ultra-thin silicon wafers to be used for photovoltaic applications.

Currently, solar cell wafers must be thick enough to survive the direct contact metallization processes which use screen printing equipment that comes in direct contact with the wafer and can exert enough force to cause ultra-thin wafers to break. Silicon is the largest cost in conventional solar cell production and the primary material in solar cells, making up 50-60 percent of overall cost.

Using methods such as inkjet, aerosol jet and spray coating – all non-contact methods – will allow solar companies to save substantial material costs on the amount of silicon used by enabling the use of thin wafers. "Through its proprietary nanoparticle inks and non-contact printing methods, Applied Nanotech is leading the transition to use thin solar wafers in high throughput production environments," commented Dr. Zvi Yaniv, CEO of Applied Nanotech.

"The solar industry is set to be transformed by nanotechnology as new inking techniques work to lower overall solar cell costs and preserve solar as one of the leading renewable energy options in the market for decades to come."