Applying high speed PV manufacturing technology to metal supported SOFC manufacture

This collaborative industrial R&D project aims to apply high speed photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing capability developed by DEK in the UK, to Ceres Power's metal supported SOFC high value manufacturing process. This project reduces process time and waste (cost) in 2 of the key deposition and heating processes used for Ceres' Steel Cell electrolyte system. Ceres has validated proof of concept electrolyte deposition processes that are repeatable and offer significant material savings. DEK has world leading capabilities in SMT and PV manufacturing process equipment development and supply, and will help develop these processes from MRL2/3 to 5/7, resulting in the demonstration of prototype and pilot line capabilties of 10secs/cell (>1 million cells/year). This project addresses a new form of thin film deposition and a significant part of Ceres' manufacturing roadmap to prove a high volume manufacturing line design for 2017.