The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) have a sector devoted exclusively to reducing the per watt cost of solar cells. The per watt cost of an electricity producing piece of equipment is a method of viewing a piece of technology's viability in the marketplace. With the ultimate goal of household adoption of Green Tech innovating the price down is high on the research agenda at KIST. Electricity from a standard grid costs approx. USD 0.20 per watt and the old solar cells were USD 2-3 per watt, a substantial and deterring difference. The under a dollar goal was a phrase bandied about much in this interview and it looks like they twigged it at KIST and are working on getting it even lower.
Dr. Kim, Dong-young develops hierarchical structures for titanium dioxide based solar cells. Titanium dioxide cells, besides titanium dioxide's use in cosmetics, is derived from the patented work of Prof. Gratzel in Switzerland. Since reporting the work in 1991 Gratzel has modified it in his own direction while commercial companies bought his intellectual property or began to research in waiting for the patent expiration, which happened recently. Gratzel's work was so applauded because it increased efficiency by 11 percent compared to the classic, and now old, silicone solar cells.
Dr. Kim solves the problem of the compact nature of solar cells by introducing a photostructure. Dr. Kim has managed to reduce the production costs of solar cells by omitting the 500 degree 'cooking' phase and produce solar cells that operate perfectly in adverse lighting. Differing application methods have contributed to the findings and a spray has yielded some interesting and cost effective results.
Dr. Kim said, "In Japan, over 50 companies and research institutes are in this particular business. Most of them started in the early 1990s and are only beginning to produce commericial products now." The delay is in partial answer to the patent restrictions and the natural course of research innovating the cost down prior to commercial release. "In Korea there are five to six companies, including Samsung and various venture companies working on production lines for this new technology," he said.
The original patent to the game changing approach expired last year. Dr. Kim's own work was bought by a commercial company last year as well. Most companies waited or paid for the patent for the grounding work by Gratzel that the Korean production lines are gearing up to produce.
More information about Dr. Kim Dong-young's work and Dr. Kim, Kyoung-kon's work can be found here: www.kist.re.kr
KIST are currently exhibiting at IMAC, International Materials and Component Industry Show at the KINTEX and will be there until 11th June.
