Paul Boughton
CIP Technologies (CIP) claims to have achieved a new energy conversion efficiency record for thermo-photovoltaic (TPV) cells. In partnership with the University of Oxford and Wafer Technology, and with partial funding from the UK Technology Strategy Board and EPSRC, a successful three-year collaborative research project has delivered first-generation single-junction cells with energy conversion efficiencies of up to 12 per cent, which compares favourably with the 9 per cent available from existing, commercially available devices.
TPVs are similar to solar cells but operate at infrared rather than visible wavelengths, generating electricity from heat. They have applications in waste heat recovery from industrial plant such as blast furnaces, combined heat and power (CHP) generation and domestic boilers, as well as silent mobile power generation.
The cells produced by the consortium are based on indium phosphide (InP) materials, rather than the more traditional gallium antimonide. InP offers higher efficiency, low-cost growth and fabrication using industry-standard processes, and the potential to fabricate more highly integrated and complex cells.
Dr David Rogers, the TPV project manager, commented: "CIP's expertise in InP growth and fabrication continues to demonstrate successful application to new markets and products, and builds on its III-V solar cell expertise to continue to address areas of environmental importance."
The consortium is now working on a second-generation cell design with a more complex, multi-layer construction that will improve infrared capture even further. This is expected to extend energy conversion efficiencies to over 15 per cent, thereby widening significantly the range of viable applications for the technology.
CIP's Commercial and Contracts Manager, Andrew Bridges, adds: "The advanced technology that has emerged from this project complements solar photovoltaic cells, and significant efficiency gains from the second generation product are expected. CIP is leading the commercial exploitation and volume manufacture of this technology and is actively seeking partners and end users to develop its full market potential."
CIP Technologies
TPVs are similar to solar cells but operate at infrared rather than visible wavelengths, generating electricity from heat. They have applications in waste heat recovery from industrial plant such as blast furnaces, combined heat and power (CHP) generation and domestic boilers, as well as silent mobile power generation.
The cells produced by the consortium are based on indium phosphide (InP) materials, rather than the more traditional gallium antimonide. InP offers higher efficiency, low-cost growth and fabrication using industry-standard processes, and the potential to fabricate more highly integrated and complex cells.
Dr David Rogers, the TPV project manager, commented: "CIP's expertise in InP growth and fabrication continues to demonstrate successful application to new markets and products, and builds on its III-V solar cell expertise to continue to address areas of environmental importance."
The consortium is now working on a second-generation cell design with a more complex, multi-layer construction that will improve infrared capture even further. This is expected to extend energy conversion efficiencies to over 15 per cent, thereby widening significantly the range of viable applications for the technology.
CIP's Commercial and Contracts Manager, Andrew Bridges, adds: "The advanced technology that has emerged from this project complements solar photovoltaic cells, and significant efficiency gains from the second generation product are expected. CIP is leading the commercial exploitation and volume manufacture of this technology and is actively seeking partners and end users to develop its full market potential."
CIP Technologies
