Conference proceeding
Engineering Manufacturing Education: Solar Cell Analysis and Diagnostics Using Scanning and Imaging Techniques
Association for Engineering Education - Engineering Library Division Papers
23 Jun 2018
Abstract
Solar cells are an important renewable energy technology and serve as an informative sample type for educational demonstrations and exercises in materials science, thin films and optics, machine vision, quality assurance, manufacturing science, and process control. Most simply, small (1 cm2) solar cells can be characterized by point measurements such as open-circuit voltage, photocurrent, efficiency, and spectral response. However, solar cells, including large-area devices (>100 cm2) and modules, can be analyzed in much more detail by scanning and probing the solar cell to map the localized electrical and optical characteristics and performance in two dimensions. Here we describe the adaptation of an inexpensive (approx. $100) desktop laser engraver and a low-cost CCD camera for 2-D profiling of solar cells based on light-beam induced current, spectral response, surface roughness topography, grain structure and texture, and reflectivity. These methods give students hands-on, project-based learning activities for developing analytical tools used in research and development, manufacturing, and reliability for diverse industries including electronics, optics, displays, coatings, thin-film technology, solid-state lighting, and catalysts. Learning assessments and adaptation for dissemination will be discussed.
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Details
- Title
- Engineering Manufacturing Education: Solar Cell Analysis and Diagnostics Using Scanning and Imaging Techniques
- Creators
- Michael MaukRichard ChiouCarlos RuizCarol MartinSmarth Chadha
- Publication Details
- Association for Engineering Education - Engineering Library Division Papers
- Publisher
- American Society for Engineering Education-ASEE
- Resource Type
- Conference proceeding
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Engineering Leadership and Society/Engineering Technology
- Identifiers
- 991019174914204721