Fraunhofer IAP Shows PV Using Printing at LOPEC

Imagine a jacket that produces enough electricity to charge your mobile phone. Imagine a jacket that does not only reflect but lights up itself when you ride your bike in the dark. Innovative printing solutions make the future happen today.
 
The Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP presented different prototypes from photovoltaics research projects at the international exhibition and conference for the printed electronics industry LOPEC 2018 in Munich. First projects resulting from the German OLED Technology Alliance (GOTA) were presented as well.
 
At LOPEC 2018, the Fraunhofer IAP displayed its competences, especially regarding inkjet printing techniques. With these solutions, façade elements for the production of solar energy can be printed. Due to the printing technology used, these elements can be produced on a larger scale with reduced costs compared to conventional production methods. Further applications can be found in optoelectronics and medicine.
 
The process of printing is also applicable within the textile industry. Alongside a façade element the researchers displayed a jacket with photovoltaic elements that produces enough energy to charge a mobile phone and operate hand warming pads.
 
The institute has its own pilot plant for printed electronics on which the displayed elements were produced.
 
“On our pilot plant we develop printing solutions in a very industry-oriented way. Together with our clients we then implement these solutions into their large-scale plants based on the expertise we gather through our pilot plant. We improve our printing methods constantly and individually adapt them to our customers’ needs,” Dr. Armin Wedel, head of the research division Functional Polymer Systems at the Fraunhofer IAP, explained.
 
For small scale surfaces the scientists are working on implementing a novel drop-on demand system: esjet-printing (electro static printing). This technology allows the use of a wider range of inks, especially essential for printing very fine structures. Widening the range of possible inks regarding their viscosity is a big step. Inkjet printing sets limits to the used ink’s viscosity. With esjet-printing, fine metal grids with high transmission rates can be printed and thus replace conventional transparent ITO-electrodes in photovoltaics components.
 
Fraunhofer-researchers also present first customer projects resulting from the GOTA alliance. The Fraunhofer IAP develops processes and materials for future OLED production facilities in close cooperation with the plant engineering companies MBraun Inertgas-Systeme GmbH in Munich, Notion GmbH in Schwetzingen and ARDENNE GmbH in Dresden. The four partners have formed the OLED Technology Alliance GOTA in order to offer the market turnkey OLED production facilities.