Sofab Inks - Page 2

Halocell Energy and Sofab Inks have announced a strategic partnership that brings together photovoltaic innovation and advanced materials science. By combining the two companies' expertise, they aim to accelerate product readiness of perovskite solar cells and streamline scalable manufacturing processes.

Under the new partnership, Sofab Inks is suppling Halocell with advanced nanoparticle inks, co-developed for Halocell's charge transport layers. Meanwhile, Halocell continues to formulate and manufacture its exclusive perovskite inks, optimized for a diverse range of applications. The collaboration supports the production of flexible, foil-like photovoltaic modules designed for seamless integration across a wide spectrum of use cases - from battery free environmental monitors and smart sensors to drones, satellites, and rooftop solar - engineered for both indoor and outdoor lighting conditions.

Sofab Inks recently announced the successful extension of its pre-seed funding round, raising an additional $525,000, bringing the total pre-seed round to $1.2 million. Launched in 2022 as a spin-out from the University of Louisville's Conn Center for Renewable Energy Research, Sofab Inks specializes in the production of chemical inks tailored for perovskite solar cell manufacturing. 

Sofab Inks says that the funds will be used to enhance its current material offerings: SnO₂ and NiOx-based charge transport layers, which are helping accelerate the transition to C60-free perovskite solar cells. The company will also use the funds to invest in-house perovskite module fabrication to significantly speed up its product development cycle.

Recently, a University of Louisville team of researchers used nanoparticle inks by Sofab Inks (a U of Louisville spinout) to create PSCs with ~20% PCE on flexible substrates. Their study addresses the solvent scope and perovskite compatibility of acetate-stabilized yttrium-doped SnO₂ (Y:SnO₂) dispersions.

Tin oxide (SnO₂) stands out as a compelling electron transport material (ETM) for perovskite solar cells (PSCs), boasting exceptional optoelectronic properties, coupled with low-temperature solution processability, cost-effectiveness, and remarkable stability. However, the widespread application of SnO₂ has been hindered by solvent incompatibilities, limiting its use to devices where it is deposited beneath the perovskite layer. To unlock the full potential of SnO₂ and expand its use across various device structures, including inverted PSCs and tandem devices, innovative deposition strategies will need to be developed. These advancements could pave the way for more efficient and versatile solar cell designs, pushing the field of photovoltaics forward.

The scientists showed that dispersions in several lower alcohols and select polar aprotic solvents can be directly deposited on perovskite using scalable and low-temperature processes. In addition, they are compatible with various perovskite formulations, including those with mixed cations and mixed anions.

Sofab Inks develops and produces advanced materials for perovskite solar cells. The company's flagship product is a solvent-based tin oxide ETL  that has already seen promising results in improving the performance and lifespan of perovskite solar cells. We interviewed the company's CEO Blake Martin and COO Jack Manzella, who help us understand the company's materials and business better. Click here to contact Sofab Inks to learn more or request a material sample.

Hello Blake and Jack. Earlier this year, Sofab Inks launched Tinfab, a high-performance and low-cost ETL material for perovskite solar cells. Can you detail the market reaction for your new material, and also the performance benefits that one can expect from this new ETL?

Since launching Tinfab, we’ve experienced significant interest across the industry, with approximately 40 companies and universities currently testing the material in perovskite solar cell applications. This strong engagement underscores the market's demand for innovative, scalable ETL solutions.

Tinfab is designed to fully replace C60/fullerenes in perovskite solar cells, addressing key limitations of C60, including lower stability, higher costs, and the complexity of vacuum deposition. Unlike C60, Tinfab can be solution-deposited in ambient environments, making it far more suitable for scalable manufacturing.

SoFab Inks, a supplier of specialty materials used in perovskite manufacturing, has introduced a new high-performance, low-cost electron transport layer (ETL), designed to enhance the durability and manufacturability of perovskite solar cells.

SoFab's new product is a functionalized nanoparticle ink that can be tuned with a dopant. This innovative ETL offers a range of benefits, including low-temperature solution processability, excellent photostability, high chemical stability, robust electron conductivity, good optical transparency, wide band gap, and favorable alignment with perovskites.

SoFab's team has reported a PCE of over 20% in an inverted perovskite solar cell architecture made with a plastic substrate. The Company anticipates that its patented ETL could serve as a viable substitute for the commonly employed C60, an expensive organic ETL notorious for delamination issues and Voc pinning.