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At least 469 records · Page 26

Proceedings of the Flat-plate Solar Array Project Research Forum on High-efficiency Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells

The high-efficiency crystalline silicon solar cells research forum addressed high-efficiency concepts, surface-interface effects, bulk effects, modeling and device processing. The topics were arranged into six interactive sessions, which focused on the state-of-the-art of device structures, identification of barriers to achieve high-efficiency cells and potential ways to overcome these barriers.

Kachare, R.↗

Flat-plate solar array project process development area process research of non-CZ silicon material

Three sets of samples were laser processed and then cell processed. The laser processing was carried out on P-type and N-type web at laser power levels from 0.5 joule/sq cm to 2.5 joule/sq cm. Six different liquid dopants were tested (3 phosphorus dopants, 2 boron dopants, 1 aluminum dopant). The laser processed web strips were fabricated into solar cells immediately after laser processing and after various annealing cycles. Spreading resistance measurements made on a number of these samples indicate that the N(+)P (phosphorus doped) junction is approx. 0.2 micrometers deep and suitable for solar cells. However, the P(+)N (or P(+)P) junction is very shallow ( 0.1 micrometers) with a low surface concentration and resulting high resistance. Due to this effect, the fabricated cells are of low efficiency. The maximum efficiency attained was 9.6% on P-type web after a 700 C anneal. The main reason for the low efficiency was a high series resistance in the cell due to a high resistance back contact.

Source record↗

A sensitivity analysis of central flat-plate photovoltaic systems and implications for national photovoltaics program planning

The sensitivity of the National Photovoltaic Research Program goals to changes in individual photovoltaic system parameters is explored. Using the relationship between lifetime cost and system performance parameters, tests were made to see how overall photovoltaic system energy costs are affected by changes in the goals set for module cost and efficiency, system component costs and efficiencies, operation and maintenance costs, and indirect costs. The results are presented in tables and figures for easy reference.

Crosetti, M. R.↗

Supersonic axial-force characteristics of a rectangular-box cavity with various length-to-depth ratios in a flat plate

A wind-tunnel investigation has been conducted at Mach numbers of 1.50, 2.16, and 2.86 to obtain axial-force data on a metric rectangular-box cavity with various length-to-depth ratios. The model was tested at angles of attack from -4 deg to -2 deg. The results are summarized to show variations in cavity axial-force coefficient for deep- and shallow-cavity configurations with detached and attached cavity flow fields, respectively. The results of the investigation indicate that for a wide range of cavity lengths and depths, good correlations of the cavity axial-force coefficients (based on cavity rear-face area) are obtained when these coefficients are plotted as a function of cavity length-to-depth ratio. Abrupt increases in the cavity axial-force coefficients at an angle of attack of 0 deg. reflect the transition from an open (detached) cavity flow field to a closed (attached) cavity flow field. Cavity length-to-depth ratio is the dominant factor affecting the switching of the cavity flow field from one type to the other. The type of cavity flow field (open or closed) is not dependent on the test angles of attack except near the critical value of length-to-depth ratio.

Blair, A. B., Jr.↗

Numerical-perturbation technique for stability of flat-plate boundary layers with suction

A numerical-perturbation scheme is proposed for determining the stability of flows over plates with suction through a finite number of porous suction strips. The basic flow is calculated as the sum of the Blasius flow and closed-form linearized triple-deck solutions of the flow due to the strips. A perturbation technique is used to determine the increment a(ij) in the complex wavenumber at a given location x(j) due to the presence of a strip centered at x(i). The end result is a set of influence coefficients that can be used to determine the growth rates and amplification factors for any suction levels without repeating the calculations. The numerical-perturbation results are verified by comparison with interacting boundary layers for the case of six strips and the experimental data of Reynolds and Saric for single- and multiple-strip configurations. The influence coefficient form of the solution suggests a scheme for optimizing the strip configuration. The results show that one should concentrate the suction near branch I of the neutral stability curve, a conclusion verified by the experiments.

Reed, H. L.↗

Flat-plate solar array project process development area: Process research of non-CZ silicon material

Several different techniques to simultaneously diffuse the front and back junctions in dendritic web silicon were investigated. A successful simultaneous diffusion reduces the cost of the solar cell by reducing the number of processing steps, the amount of capital equipment, and the labor cost. The three techniques studied were: (1) simultaneous diffusion at standard temperatures and times using a tube type diffusion furnace or a belt furnace; (2) diffusion using excimer laser drive-in; and (3) simultaneous diffusion at high temperature and short times using a pulse of high intensity light as the heat source. The use of an excimer laser and high temperature short time diffusion experiment were both more successful than the diffusion at standard temperature and times. The three techniques are described in detail and a cost analysis of the more successful techniques is provided.

Campbell, R. B.↗

Aerothermal tests of quilted dome models on a flat plate at a Mach number of 6.5

Aerothermal tests were conducted in the NASA Langley 8 Foot High Temperature Tunnel (8'HTT) at a Mach number of 6.5 on simulated arrays of thermally bowed metallic thermal protection system (TPS) tiles at an angle of attack of 5 deg. Detailed surface pressures and heating rates were obtained for arrays aligned with the flow and skewed 45 deg diagonally to the flow with nominal bowed heights of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 inch submerged in both laminar and turbulent boundary layers. Aerothermal tests were made at a nominal total temperature of 3300 R, a total pressure of 400 psia, a total enthalpy of 950 Btu/lbm, a dynamic pressure of 2.7 psi, and a unit Reynolds number of 400,000 per foot. The experimental results form a data base that can be used to help protect aerothermal load increases from bowed arrays of TPS tiles.

Glass, Christopher E.↗

Ink jet assisted metallization for low cost flat plate solar cells

Computer-controlled ink-jet-assisted metallization of the front surface of solar cells with metalorganic silver inks offers a maskless alternative method to conventional photolithography and screen printing. This method can provide low cost, fine resolution, reduced process complexity, avoidance of degradation of the p-n junction by firing at lower temperature, and uniform line film on rough surface of solar cells. The metallization process involves belt furnace firing and thermal spiking. With multilayer ink jet printing and firing, solar cells of about 5-6 percent efficiency without antireflection (AR) coating can be produced. With a titanium thin-film underlayer as an adhesion promoter, solar cells of average efficiency 8.08 percent without AR coating can be obtained. This efficiency value is approximately equal to that of thin-film solar cells of the same lot. Problems with regard to lower inorganic content of the inks and contact resistance are noted.

Teng, K. F.↗

Nonprincipal-plane scattering from flat plates: Second-order and corner diffraction and pattern control of horn antennas

Several high-frequency models for nonprincipal-plane scattering from a rectangular, perfectly conducting plate are examined. Two methods, the Method of Equivalent Currents and corner diffraction coefficients, are considered. Formulations for second-order Physical Theory of Diffraction equivalent currents and for corner diffracted fields are presented. Comparisons are made among plate models. Results away from grazing are accurate using only first-order terms. Near grazing, second-order and corner diffraction terms improve the results for many cases. The pattern control of horn antennas using lossy materials to coat the inner walls of the horn is also investigated. Integral Equation and Moment Method techniques are used to formulate the problem. It is clearly demonstrated that side lobe level reduction can be achieved using impedance surfaces on the inner walls of the horn.

Balanis, Constantine A.↗

Numerical Study of Three-dimensional Spatial Instability of a Supersonic Flat Plate Boundary Layer

The behavior of spatially growing three-dimensional waves in a supersonic boundary layer was studied numerically by solving the complete Navier-Stokes equations. Satisfactory comparison with linear parallel and non-parallel stability theories, and experiment are obtained when a small amplitude inflow disturbance is used. The three-dimensional unsteady Navier-Stokes equations are solved by a finite difference method which is fourth-order and second-order accurate in the convection and viscous terms respectively, and second-order accurate in time. Spanwise periodicity is assumed. The inflow disturbance is composed of eigenfunctions from linear stability theory. By increasing the amplitude of the inflow disturbance, nonlinear effects in the form of a relaxation type oscillation of the time signal of rho(u) are observed.

Maestrello, Lucio↗

The effect of small streamwise velocity distortion on the boundary layer flow over a thin flat plate with application to boundary layer stability theory

Researchers show how an initially linear spanwise disturbance in the free stream velocity field is amplified by leading edge bluntness effects and ultimately leads to a small amplitude but linear spanwise motion far downstream from the edge. This spanwise motion is imposed on the boundary layer flow and ultimately causes an order-one change in its profile shape. The modified profiles are highly unstable and can support Tollmein-Schlichting wave growth well upstream of the theoretical lower branch of the neutral stability curve for a Blasius boundary layer.

Goldstein, M. E.↗

On the tones of round choked jets impinging on normal flat plates

An experimental investigation of the sound produced by an axisymmetric supersonic jet impinging on plates with variable size and nozzle-to-plate spacings was performed. Spectral analysis and schlieren photography were used to determine the sound characteristics and flow disturbances associated with the production of discrete tones. Two classes of tones, associated with small and large plates, existed for pressure ratios above 2.70. For lower pressure ratios, however, only large plate tones occurred for all plate sizes with choked jet screech appearing at the largest spacings. Reflector tests indicated that both classes of tones were part of a feedback loop to the nozzle. Schlieren photography revealed both symmetric and asymmetric disturbances in the large plate jet flows which corresponded to symmetrical and helical modes of oscillation in the cross-spectrum studies. In addition to this, both symmetric and asymmetric oscillations of the shock waves occurred in the large plate case while symmetric oscillations of the shock wave occurred in the small plate case.

Powell, Alan↗