MSE MS Thesis Presentation of Daniel Erickson

TITLE: Fabrication and Cost Analysis ofScreenprinted Electrodynamic Shieldsfor Solar ApplicationsABSTRACT: Electrodynamic Shields (EDS) have been targeted as a technology to help mitigate poweroutput degradation due to dust deposition of various solar collecting technologies. Though opaque printed circuit board EDS prototypes have shown promising dust removal efficiencies, an inexpensive method of transparentEDS fabrication must be realized before the EDS technology is adopted by industry. Development of an EDSscreenprinting process is presented as a scalable, low-cost method of fabrication. The process is established first using a silver-based ink on borosilicate glass substrates and then adapted to incorporate transparent conductive PEDOT:PSS and ITO nanoparticle solutions. Successful EDS prints are characterized and integrated with photovoltaic cells or second surface mirrored substrates. Dust removal efficiencies of the screenprinted EDSare tested by measuring restoration in specular reflection and transmission in integrated EDS-mirror and EDS-PVmodules after dust deposition. Finally, a cost analysis of the EDS screenprinting process is performed in order topredict the economic viability of the EDS technology when used in conjunction with solar collecting technologies.COMMITTEE: Advisor: Malay Mazumder, MSE/ECE; Nitin Joglekar, SMG; Srikanth Gopalan, MSE/ME

When 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Location 15 Saint Mary's Street, Rm 105