Hybrid metrology for thin films in energy applications

Short Name: HyMet, Project Number: 16ENG03
Image showing a technician testing a small film of solar cells
A technician testing a film of solar cells

New capabilities to assess thin film performance will aid deployment in novel energy applications


Two key challenges facing developers of innovative energy technologies are ensuring their long-term durability and accelerating the time-to-market. One area in which both are particularly challenging is the development of thin films, used in a range of energy applications from photovoltaics to batteries. The complexity of thin films means that device performance and degradation are affected by a combination of characteristics, and their assessment requires a new analytical approach to combined data analysis.

 

This project used results from ENG53 ThinErgy to develop a European hybrid metrology capability for the characterisation of thin film performance and durability in energy applications. This included the development of new methods to enable datasets from multiple measurements to be combined. The new capabilities aid the development of new, innovative energy technologies based on thin films, in turn supporting progress towards energy efficiency and renewable energy targets.

 

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Other Participants
Aalto-korkeakoulusäätiö sr (Finland)
Accurion GmbH (Germany)
Centre for Process Innovation Limited (United Kingdom)
Eidgenoessische Materialpruefungs- und Forschungsanstalt (Switzerland)
Flisom AG (Switzerland)
Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH (Germany)
Horiba France S.A.S (France)
Oxford Photovoltaics Limited (United Kingdom)
Technische Universität Berlin (Germany)
TWI Limited (United Kingdom)
University of Surrey (United Kingdom)