The Dow Chemical Co. and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have signed a multiyear research collaboration focused on solar energy.
The arrangement is aimed at aligning Dow's capabilities in copper indium gallium diselenide-based materials with Caltech's research in next-generation photovoltaics. Together, the parties expect to develop new, ultra-low-cost, high-efficiency photovoltaic materials.
The research, which falls under a four-year agreement, will initially focus on direct band-gap materials that incorporate elements that are less expensive and more commonly available than those used in today's thin-film PV semiconductors. Researchers from both organizations will investigate the use of earth-abundant elements to create new direct band gap PVs.
SOURCE: The Dow Chemical Co.
