EWT / MWT are well known means to improve the efficiency of solar cells by several percent.  Process costs and productivity hampered the deployment of this technology in production.  CLT recently developed the process and tools improving productivity 3 times drilling >4,500 holes per second with only 19 W of laser power, opening the door for industrialization of EWT / MWT solar cells.

High Brightness diode lasers

CLT achieves world record power and brightness from diode lasers.  Fiber coupled diode lasers based on multiple single emitters allow efficient scaling of brightness and power.  Compact and reliable diode lasers are enabled through the proprietary design.  High accuracy manufacturing methods were developed for cost effective manufacturing with high yield.  First units were installed at Partner's laboratories.  Compact turn key systems are now available.

For further information please contact Stefan Heinemann.

For further information please contact Stefan Heinemann.

The program will award seed money grants of up to $200,000 annually for two years to projects that explore alternative energy innovations for transportation. Each project must have researchers from both U-M and Fraunhofer, have strong potential to eventually attract external funding and ultimately be good candidates for commercialization. 

“Partnerships between U-M and a world-class research and development organization like Fraunhofer will create an environment that can quickly move innovations out into the marketplace,” said Stephen Forrest, U-M vice president for research. “We have great confidence that this will be an exciting research opportunity to get technology quickly into the hands of business and industry, especially in Michigan.” 

"Fraunhofer looks forward to this collaboration because of the outstanding research expertise and the global importance of the subject," said Prof. Hans-Jörg Bullinger, President of Fraunhofer USA. 

The Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute (MMPEI) will work with U-M’s Office of the Vice President for Research and Fraunhofer to select and evaluate projects. MMPEI is dedicated to expanding energy research activities on campus and translating them into business opportunities for Michigan. 

Projects will be awarded in 2009 and must be finished within two years.  

Fraunhofer promotes and undertakes applied research in an international context, of direct utility to private and public enterprise and of wide benefit to society as a whole. By developing technological innovations and novel systems solutions for their customers, Fraunhofer promotes economic development, with particular regard for environmental compatibility.  

Fraunhofer USA, Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fraunhofer with its headquarters in Plymouth. Two of its research centers are located in Michigan and are partnered with a Michigan university and have received funding from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.   

The Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute develops, coordinates and promotes multidisciplinary energy research and education at the U-M. 

The AETT Program is planning an informational and signing event in January on the U-M campus. 

For more information, visit: www.energy.umich.edu

www.fraunhofer.de

www.fraunhofer.org