Source/Type: CompoundSemi Online -- Compound Semiconductor Supply Chain News - Reported News

Kopin Selected for Award of NASA Solar Cell Development Contract
Author: CompoundSemi News Staff

May 1, 2008... Kopin of Taunton, Massachusetts USA, a leading provider of heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) wafers, has been selected for a solar cell development contract from NASA. The contract is Phase II of a Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) program to develop indium nitride (InN)-based quantum dot solar cells. Kopin's will partner with groups at Virginia Tech and Magnolia Optical Technologies.

"The goal of this STTR program is to develop high-efficiency solar cells that are resistant to extreme conditions while achieving high solar electric power conversion efficiency," said Dr. Roger Welser, Kopin's Director of Technology and New Product Development. "The advanced patent-pending solar cell structure incorporating InN-based nanostructures can harness a very large fraction of the solar spectrum while minimizing the effects of high temperatures and high-energy radiation. This technology will enable photovoltaic power systems of future NASA space exploration missions to operate in extreme environments with high temperature and radiation exposures."

Dr. John C.C. Fan, Kopin President and Chief Executive Officer commented, "This STTR project is part of Kopin's long-term goal to address the emerging terrestrial renewable energy market by realizing the ultimate objective of high conversion efficiency at low costs.” Kopin News Release

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