EMPA
EMPA
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Switzerland
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EMPA (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Material Testing and Research)is an interdisciplinary research and services institution to meet the requirements of industry and the needs of our society, and it links together applications-oriented research and the practical implementation of new ideas. The Laboratory for Thin Films and Photovoltaics has recently relocated from ETH Zurich. Dr. Ayodhya N. Tiwari has been leading the PV group involved in the R&D of thin film solar cells based on compound semiconductors. The group has made several important contributions in the field of CIGS and CdTe thin film solar cells on glass and flexible substrates including the achievement of 14.1% efficiency (highest efficiency record for any type of solar cell grown on polymer film) flexible CIGS solar cell on polymide film and 11.4% record high efficiency for flexible CdTe solar cells. Other innovative developments include flexible CIGS solar cells on low cost aluminium foil, application of simple and safe non-vacuum CIGS deposition processes, high efficiency multi-junction (tandem) solar cells based on CIGS, CdTe, and Dye sensitized solar cells. The lab is involved in collaborative and industrial research, and technology transfer to start-up companies.
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2013
21 Jan 2013
A new world record for solar cell efficiency
In a remarkable feat, scientists at Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, have developed thin film solar cells on flexible polymer foils with a new record efficiency of 20.4% for converting sunlight into electricity.2012
7 Sep 2012
Beneq joins EU project to develop roll-to-roll solar panels
Beneq has joined R2R-CIGS to scale-up innovative laboratory processes to meet production requirements of flexible solar modules. In short, these processes need to be adapted to roll-to-roll production while ensuring reliability, high throughput and low cost.30 May 2012
PostBus Switzerland launches first Swiss hydrogen filling station
PostBus Switzerland has launched the first Swiss hydrogen filling station in Brugg (Aargau). It supplies fuel for the vehicles that PostBus has been using since December 2011 to test fuel cell technology for public transport.28 May 2012
EU funded project to advance CIGS technology
Initially, the project will exploit the potential of non vacuum processes based in nanostructured materials as electrochemical synthesis of nanocrystalline precursors and printing of nanoparticle based inks, as well as novel chemical based deposition processes for the development of modules on large area substrates with improved uniformity and at lower production costs.13 Feb 2012
Interview with the developers of an energy harvesting cooking sensor
IDTechEx technology analyst Dr Harry Zervos recently interviewed Mr Burkhard Habbe, VP of Business Development at Micropelt, and Albin Smrke, scientific advisor with MSX Technology and inventor of a cooking sensor, to find out more about the development of this multi-sensory cooking technology.2011
18 Nov 2011
Winners of the IDTechEx Energy Harvesting and WSN Awards
At the Energy Harvesting & Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) awards dinner on November 15 in Boston, USA companies were recognized for making significant technical or commercial progress with these technologies.8 Jun 2011
New world record for solar cell conversion efficiency
New superstrate material poised to enable flexible, lightweight and efficient thin film solar modules.2 Jun 2011
Swiss researchers flexible solar cells new world record
Record efficiency of 18.7% for flexible CIGS solar cells on plastics6 May 2011
Energy harvesting for automotive applications
Energy harvesters do not necessarily make sense in all potential applications where a battery is replaced.2010
13 Sep 2010
Global progress with electric taxis
Taxis are an excellent proving ground for electric vehicle technologies because they are professionally managed, intensively used, standardised in fleets and can have depots dedicated to their needs. That is why they are being used to trial fuel cells and/or lithium ion batteries in, China, Japan, the USA, the UK and elsewhere. Battery swapping is more feasible with standardised, centrally managed taxis than with the confusion of design and management of electric cars.24 Aug 2010
Nanoribbons for graphene transistors
Scientists from Empa and the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research report how they have managed for the first time to grow graphene ribbons that are just a few nanometres wide using a simple surface-based chemical method.27 Jul 2010
Materials for tomorrow's nano-electronics
In the recent issue of Nature, scientists from Empa and the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research report how they have managed for the first time to grow graphene ribbons that are just a few nanometres wide using a simple surface-based chemical method.13 Apr 2010
High Efficiency Flexible Solar Cells Based on CIGS and CdTe Thin Films
EMPA, Switzerland, Switzerland
25 Feb 2010
Printed electronics technology - back to basics
Find out the most exciting advances and applications in the new world of stretchable, invisible, morphable, tightly rollable, edible and other previously impossible electronics.2009
23 Sep 2009
Tata group invests in a start-up producing photovoltaic solar modules
Tata group invests in start-up Flisom who specialize in flexible and lightweight thin-film photovoltaic solar modules.8 Apr 2009
High Efficiency Flexible Solar Cells Based on CIGS and CdTe Thin Films
EMPA, Switzerland
