Specifically, the effort will involve the development of CdTe thin-film solar cells including the use of plastic substrates. Plastic substrates, upon which the CdTe solar cells will reside, are flexible. Flexible substrates permit the transportation and deployment of solar cells from rolls, which significantly reduce shipping and installation costs. Flexible solar cells are also less susceptible to damage than the present-day solar module technology that employs fragile and heavy glass protective sheets.

The collaboration is strengthened by additional research and development in the field of infrared (IR) detection, wherein ETH Zurich will grow and characterize II-VI semiconductor lead-tin-selenide (PbSnSe) layers on silicon substrates for the companies. ETH Zurich's efforts are led by Dr. Hans Zogg, head of the Thin Film Physics Group, which contains both IR and solar cell technology subgroups.

The solar cell projects are led by Professor Ayodhya Nath Tiwari. ETH Zurich is a science and technology university with an outstanding research record. Twenty-one Nobel laureates are connected with ETH Zurich, and its II-VI semiconductor materials research is among the most advanced in the world.

ETH Zurich established the world record for conversion efficiency (14.1%) with the development of its flexible and lightweight CIGS solar cells. They also demonstrated 12.4% conversion efficiency for a CdTe-based solar cell grown with a simple vacuum deposition method.

Dr. Chris Grein, EPIR's vice president for research and development, stated, "The combination of EPIR, Sunovia and ETH Zurich creates a world-class team with unparalleled II-VI semiconductor experience and talent."

On March 14th, the companies announced the completion of Phase I in the expansion of the world class Electro-Optic manufacturing facilities in Bolingbrook, Ill., just west of Chicago. Electro-Optic technologies include advanced solar modules, IR detectors and components and biosensor-decontamination devices.

Sunovia and EPIR have exclusively partnered to commercialize solar and IR technologies for the renewable energy and night vision markets. Sunovia is the exclusive marketer of all products, technologies and intellectual properties that are developed at the facility, and currently owns a significant equity interest in EPIR.

The completion of Phase I is a significant step in the companies' work to manufacture CdTe-based advanced solar cells and CdTe and mercury cadmium telluride (HgCdTe) IR detectors and components. More than $25 million has been invested into R&D and the state-of-the-art facility, which includes a 2,000 sq. ft. clean-room for the manufacture of advanced electro-optic products.

The world class products manufactured at the facility require both extreme material purity and air filtration/cleanliness. The companies also have access to related facilities at the University of Illinois at Chicago, the Army Research Laboratory in Adelphi, Md. and the Army's Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate at Belvoir, Va.

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