Research and development of low cost, low power solar cells for rural off grid applications (homesteads, clinics) on the African continent. Manufacture of the required heterojunctions by inexpensive printing techniques (screen printing/ink jet printing). Printing of doped silicon nanoparticle films on bond paper.

• Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Rudolf Nüßl
• Subject Area: Electronic Semiconductors, Components and Circuits, Integrated Systems, Sensor Technology, Theoretical Electrical Engineering
• Term: from 2011 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 205683515

1. Investigation of printed silicon technologies.2. Investigation, development and manufacture of low cost, low power solar cells by printed silicon technologies particularly with regard to a) investigation and improvement of electrical properties of printed silicon films by optimization of silicon nanoparticle manufacture, ink making and printing process. b) design and development of applicable silicon heterojunctions manufactured with printing techniques. c) design and development of cell emitter, investigation of low thermal budget n-doping techniques, e.g. laser doping. d) research printed metal films for optimum charge extraction. e) investigation of transparent conductive layer printing. f) investigation of transparent conductive layer deposition. g) design of front side interconnects, solar module manufacture and module testing.3. Contribution to the educational and technolgical development of South Africa.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: South Africa
• Host: Dr. Margit Härting