Dielectric MicroSpacer Technology

Transcription

1 Dielectric MicroSpacer Technology

2 ProME 3 ThE 2 US 2 / FET-ENERGY Production Method of Electrical Energy by Enhanced Thermal Electron Emission by the Use of Superior Semiconductors ProME 3 ThE 2 US 2 Grant agreement no.: Duration: 3 years (May Apr 2016) Total Project Cost: 4.3 M Total EU Funding: 3.0 M Basic Research Applied Research High-Tech SMEs Multinational Industry

3 ProME 3 ThE 2 US 2 High-Temperature Solar Cells PETE* devices can be defined as hightemperature cells for solar concentrating systems, since they avoid the limitations of junction cells and even benefit from high operating temperatures *J. Schwede,et al., Nature Materials 9 (2010) 762 Applications: Domestic use Rural environment use Solar Towers Z LOAD CONCENTRATED SOLAR RADIATION CATHODE ANODE Secondary conversion system Vacuum enclosure (pressure as low as possible) PETE devices utilize both photonic and thermal processes for energy conversion, and are not subject to either the Shockley-Queisser limit or the thermal limit (Carnot): conversion efficiency up to 70% ** **G. Segev, Y. Rosenwaks, A. Kribus, Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells 140 (2015) 464

4 Testing under high-flux solar radiation n e / n ph (a.u.) PETE demonstrated for the FIRST TIME under relevant conditions! Experiment T ( C)

5 More details on III-V semiconductor photocathodes Black diamond films Diamond photocathodes Dielectric microspacer technology

6 Public Research Centre DMS / FET-Launchpad Duration: 18 months (Apr Sep 2018) Total Project Cost/Funding: 100 k Hi-tech SME SME with the mission to commercialize and transfer technology developed by the hi-tech SME Vacuum and Plasma Technology DMS = Dielectric MicroSpacer technology Grant agreement no.: DMS solves the technical problem of establishing a fixed and stable physical gap of few micrometers (up to 10 m) between two flat surfaces at very different temperature (i.e. hundreds of Celsius degrees). Dielectric MicroSpacers DMS is based on the development of microstructures which can be arranged according to a periodic and/or any desired design. Microstructures are dielectric, thus ensuring also: 1) electrical insulation between the surfaces and 2) thermal insulation when surfaces have to operate at different temperatures.

7 DMS / FET-Launchpad Objectives of the action 1. Expanding the potential of the technique by analysing possible improvements at an industrial level (up-scaling, production maximization, etc.); 2. Analysing possible other technologies needing the application of the DMSs in order to enlarge the technological impact; 3. Protecting the developed technology by preparing and submitting at least one international patent application; 4. Analysing the market and business opportunities on the basis of a document prepared by external business advisory services; 5. Drafting an exploitation plan for the specific proposed technology; 6. Individuating and contacting possible large industries for a technology transfer (licence agreement) for future production at large scales.

8 DMS / FET-Launchpad Technology Improvements & Protection Activities of the action Analysis of the possible improvements Technology Transfer Analysis of the potential applications Market analysis of DMS large production Exploitation plan Patenting process Study of the DMS technology transfer International Patent Application Project main outputs Technology transfer to large industry(ies)

9 Technical problem to be solved Dielectric MicroStructures solve the technical problem of establishing a fixed and stable physical gap of few micrometers (up to 10 m) between two flat surfaces at very different temperature (i.e. hundreds of Celsius degrees) with electrical insulation. Dielectric MicroSpacers Since the 60s, efficiency of thermal-toelectric energy converters was limited to 10-15% throwing away an additional 20-60% DMS allows the conversion of heat close to the ideal conditions! Not only: the application of DMS could solve shortcut problems in microelectronics (like in flat screens)!!!

10 The Technology Advantages with respect to present technology: deposition temperature close to room temperature -> standard microtechnology tools; high lateral and vertical resolution (down to tens of nanometres); the low lateral size reduces drastically the contact area, thus minimizing the thermal flow between the two separated surfaces; Made of material with excellent electrical and thermal insulation, as well as able to sustain operations at very high temperature; upscaling of the technology on large surfaces (up to squared meters)

11 Aerospace energy recovery Applications Automotive & Aeronautical Transport Heat recovery from high-temperature reactors Microelectronics Concentrated solar energy Nuclear energy recovery Industrial furnaces and metallurgic processes Geothermal energy Impact Short-term Medium-term Long-term

12 Aerospace energy recovery Space mission cost = 3 B Space missions: 1/year worldwide Supposing 1% cost to conversion system and 10% of which to DMS, 3 M /year of market share 444 worldwide + 63 new nuclear plants 2 M cost to the customer per conversion system (50% of revenue) 10% of which per DMS technology Market share = 100 M + 20 M /year maintainance Nuclear energy recovery The Market(s) Industrial furnaces and metallurgic processes Exploitable exhaust heat = 9,000 MW Conversion efficiency of 25%: 2,250 MW can be recovered. Cost of 1 kwh = 0.05 Market share of 1 B /year only for the USA. Exhaust heat in US industries Efficiency increases from +50 to +250%: technological competitive advantage Short-term Medium-term Long-term Impact

13 AMADEUS / FET-OPEN Next Generation Materials and Solid State Devices for Ultra High Temperature Energy Storage and Conversion Project call: FET-Open 7 partners 3 Universities 3 R&D Centers 1 SME Budget: ,25 Duration: Jan 2017 Dec 2019 Coordinator: UPM (Spain)

14 AMADEUS / FET-OPEN

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