Natcore achieves positive LPD research results

Natcore Technology has achieved successful testing results from the initial stage of its liquid phase deposition (LPD) research and development program. This R&D program is being conducted at the facilities of Ohio State University.

Natcore researchers have demonstrated that Natcore's room-temperature, LPD silicon dioxide antireflection (AR) coating is the equivalent of the elevated-temperature CVD coatings commonly used by the solar industry today. The Natcore process however, produces the coatings with a considerable reduction in cost.

During the R&D process, a single layer of AR coating was deposited with a reflectance minimum of less than 8% for wavelengths of light in the range of values that maximize the output of a standard silicon solar cell. This performance equals or exceeds industry-standard single-layer AR coating performance for this material.

"We hit the target on what is essentially our first try in the program at Ohio State," notes Chuck Provini, Natcore's president and CEO. "We've already achieved industry standard levels for antireflectance, and we fully expect to significantly improve the results with further refinement of our LPD process in the near future. Moreover, these results provide the final testing data needed for potential joint-venture partners, and we intend to proceed aggressively along this front."

Brien Lundin, Natcore's Chairman, adds that, "It is particularly gratifying that this R&D program is being conducted with personnel and facilities previously employed by NewCyte. Natcore's acquisition of NewCyte is thus providing early dividends, and we're excited about continuing to leverage these assets to more-rapidly advance our technology."