Nikko Metals Offers Hybrid 450 mm Wafers

from Semiconductor International

Nikko Metals, a subsidiary of Nippon Mining and Metals, is readying hybrid 450 mm wafers that sinter a 300 mm single-crystal silicon wafer inside a 450 mm polycrystalline wafer. The goal is to save money for companies developing process equipment targeted to the 450 mm wafer diameter. more » » » 

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Quantum Dot Mapping Points to Unthought of Applications

from Semiconductor International

University of Michigan physicists have mapped quantum dots, crystals with wide-ranging applications in electronics and photovoltaics. The step may lead toward "designer dots" that can be tailored for specific applications, and demonstrates the usefulness of X-ray phasing techniques. more » » » 

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Virtual Classroom for Members at ASTM

ASTM International is pleased to offer a series of free one-hour online training workshops. For more details on each training session and to register, please click on the appropriate link(s) below. If you need more information or have any questions, please contact Kevin Shanahan

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Carsem Announces Extremely Thin MLP

from Semiconductor International

Carsem, a provider of turnkey packaging and test services, announced an extremely thin version of its Micro Leadframe Package (MLP). more » » » 

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From Photovoltaics Report

from Semiconductor International

Sharp Breaks Record for Triple-Junction Compound Solar Cell
By successfully forming a high-crystallinity bottom layer from InGaAs rather than the traditional germanium, Sharp has boosted conversion efficiency to 35.8% for its research-level triple-junction compound solar cell. more » » » 

Ascent Solar Achieves 14% Efficiency on Flexible CIGS
Ascent Solar Technologies has achieved 14% cell efficiency for its CIGS thin-film technology on flexible plastic substrates, and 11.7% peak efficiency for its CIGS modules. Both milestones were reached in commercial production at its 1.5 MW plant. more » » » 

First Single-Junction 400 W PV Module Yields Higher Return
Signet Solar introduced a 400 W power class PV module using single-junction thin-film silicon technology that provides 15% higher output. more » » » 

eIQ Energy Partners to Provide Parallel Wiring to Solar Industry
In two separate announcements, eIQ Energy detailed partnerships within the solar supply chain -- combining its vBoost DC-to-DC converter modules with PV Powered's inverters, and separately with Signet Solar's thin-film solar modules. eIQ's Parallel Solar technology lets solar arrays be wired in parallel rather than series for substantial cost savings. more » » » 

Suntech's Reliathon Reduces Utility Solar Costs, Speeds Development
PV module supplier Suntech Power Holdings announced its simplified, integrated program for designing and building utility-scale solar plants, combining product innovations with new business agreements to lower total system costs. more » » » 

Motech Selects Esatto Technology for Double Printing Solar Cells
Motech Solar has installed and qualified an Applied Baccini back-end line for double printing, using the system's newly released Esatto Technology to manufacture its new cell design. more » » » 

Satcon Power Inverters Go to Canada's Largest PV Power Plant
Satcon Technology Corp.'s PowerGate Plus 500 kW solar PV inverters are now fully operational at First Light, Canada's largest solar farm. Satcon supplied 18 inverters for the project. more » » » 

G24i Ships First Commercial Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Application
G24 Innovations (G24i), a global dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) company, has seen the first commercial shipment of dye-sensitized PV modules to Hong Kong-based consumer electronics bag manufacturer, Mascotte Industrial Associates. The shipment makes the company the "first commercial manufacturer of dye-sensitized solar cells technology for mass consumer use in the world," G24i said. more » » » 

Q-Cells Selects Camstar to Boost New Solar Lines
Solar powerhouse Q-Cells will deploy Camstar's SolarSuite software platform to improve process quality and cell efficiency on two new production lines in Germany and its new mega-factory in Malaysia. more » » » 

Amtech Gets Dutch Government Grant for Solar R&D
Amtech subsidiary Tempress Systems Inc. received a technology grant from the Dutch government for solar R&D work. The grant was jointly obtained with one of Tempress's European solar research partners, and will be used to develop a process method to improve solar energy conversion efficiencies. more » » » 

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MEMS Motion Sensors Stay in Motion

from Semiconductor International

In the October issue of Semiconductor International, Laurent Robin of Yole Developpement writes that MEMS inertial sensors now represent a $1.85B market. While the majority comes from automotive applications, consumer should overtake automotive by 2012. "When it comes to very high volumes, big IC players are often preferred," Robin writes. more » » » 

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Solar's Changing Climate: Photovoltaics and the Legislative Effect

from Semiconductor International

In this webcast, aired originally on Aug. 27, our global panel of experts -- Winfried Hoffmann of EPIA, Rhone Resch of SEIA and Paula Mints of Navigant Consulting -- explored the evolving legislative environment in key and emerging markets around the world, examining the effects governments are having on the viability of photovoltaics as the industry pursues grid parity. Key concerns raised by audience members and addressed by panelists included unfair competition from China, and what kind of shape the PV market will be in as demand begins to recover. more » » » 

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