FCUL

Universidade de Lisboa is a reference in higher education and R&D in Portugal. Universidade de Lisboa has 18 schools and over 100 research units, approximately 50,000 students, 4.000 lecturers, 2.500 non-academic staff and 400 degree courses.

Teaching, research, science, technology and innovation are the core business of Universidade de Lisboa. It awards 1st cycle and 2nd cycle degrees, as well as 3rd cycle Degrees (Doctor) in basic science such as Physics and Chemistry, but also in engineering such as Electronic and Civil Engineering. Examples of these offers are the Integrated Master on Energy and Environment Engineering, and PhD programs on Sustainable Energy Systems or Energy and Sustainable Development, linking Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency and Economics with Built Environment or Energy Planning.

Several processing techniques are available at FCUL     

• Development of alternative crystallization techniques, namely on silicon ribbon technology, sintered and crystalline substrates processing.
• Inline spray doping is available
• Fast CVD deposition for buffer layers, thin silicon active layers
• Exfoliation of thin silicon foils
• E-beam evaporation technique up to 4 layers

Although the PV industry is dominated by ingot crystallization, many disadvantages have been identified as barriers to cost reduction. Silicon ribbons avoid kerf losses associated with wire sawing and provided that good quality ribbons are demonstrated, will be one path to overcome these barriers. The flexibility that we have, as a university research lab, gives us the ability to adapt and quickly develop new techniques such as the slim-cut kerfless technique to produce thin silicon foils without the classical wafering.

The group at FCUL has the following characterization techniques:

1. Lifetime measurements by Sinton Instruments
2. Spectral response
3. Resistivity
4. Solar cell simulator with adaptable spectrum
5. Electroluminescense system