• Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.45-55
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• 2018

Environmentally benign lead-free solder coated ribbon (e. g. SnCu, SnZn, SnBi${\cdots}$) has been intensively studied to interconnect cells without lead mixed ribbon (e. g. SnPb) in the crystalline silicon(c-Si) photovoltaic modules. However, high melting point (> $200^{\circ}C$) of non-lead based solder provokes increased thermo-mechanical stress during its soldering process, which causes early degradation of PV module with it. Hence, we proposed low-temperature conductive paste (CP) based tabbing method for lead-free ribbon. Modules, interconnected by the lead-free solder (SnCu) employing CP approach, exhibits similar output without increased resistivity losses at initial condition, in comparison with traditional high temperature soldering method. Moreover, 400 cycles (2,000 hour) of thermal cycle test reveals that the module integrated by CP approach withstands thermo-mechanical stress. Furthermore, this approach guarantees strong mechanical adhesion (peel strength of ~ 2 N) between cell and lead-free ribbons. Therefore, the CP based tabbing process for lead free ribbons enables to interconnect cells in c-Si PV module, without deteriorating its performance.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.102-108
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• 2018

A glass-texturing technique was developed for photovoltaic (PV) module cover glass; periodic honeycomb textures were formed by using a conventional lithography technique and diluted hydrogen fluoride etching solutions. The etching conditions were optimized for three different types of textured structures. In contrast to a flat glass substrate, the textured glasses were structured with etched average surface angles of $31-57^{\circ}$, and large aspect ratios of 0.17-0.47; by using a finite difference time-domain simulation, we show that these textured surfaces increase the amount of scattered light and reduce reflectance on the glass surface. In addition, the optical transmittance of the textured glass was markedly improved by up to 95% for wavelengths ranging from 400 to 1100 nm. Furthermore, applying the textured structures to the cover glass of the PV module with heterojunction with intrinsic thin-layer crystalline silicon solar cells resulted in improvements in the short-circuit current density and module efficiency from 39 to $40.2mA/cm^2$ and from 21.65% to 22.41%, respectively. Considering these results, the proposed method has the potential to further strengthen the industrial and technical competitiveness of crystalline silicon solar cells.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.124-128
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• 2020

Output power of photovoltaic (PV) modules installed outdoors decreases every year due to environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and ultraviolet irradiations. In order to promote the installation of PV modules, the reliability must be guaranteed. One of the important factors affecting reliability is intermetallic compounds (IMC) layer formed in ribbon solder joint. For this reason, various studies on soldering properties between the ribbon and cell have been performed to solve the reliability deterioration caused by excessive growth of the IMC layer. However, the IMC layer of the PV module interconnected by multi-wires has been studied less than using the ribbon. It is necessary to study soldering characteristics of the multi-wire module for improvement of its reliability. In this study, we analyzed the growth of IMC layer of the PV module with multi-wire and the degradation of output power through damp-heat test. The fabricated modules were exposed to damp-heat conditions (85 ºC and 85 % relative humidity) for 1000 hours and the output powers of the modules before and after the damp-heat test were measured. Then, the process of dissolving ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) as an encapsulant of the modules was performed to observe the IMC layer. The growth of IMC layer was evaluated using OM and FE-SEM for cross-sectional analysis and EDS for elemental mapping. Based on these results, we investigated the correlation between the IMC layer and output power of modules.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.114-117
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• 2023

Transparent Photovoltaic (PV) modules have recently been in the spotlight because they can be applied to buildings and vehicles. However, crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar modules, which account for about 90% of the PV module market, have the disadvantage of applying transparent PV modules due to their unique opacity. Recently, a see-through type PV module using a crystalline silicon solar strap has been developed. However, there is a problem due to a decrease in aesthetics due to the metal ribbon in the center of the see-through type PV module and difficulty bonding the metal ribbon due to the low voltage output of the strap. In this study, to solve this problem, we developed a fabrication process of series connected c-Si solar strap cells using the c-Si solar cells. We succeeded in fabricating a series connected strap with a width of 2-10 mm, and we plan to manufacture an aesthetic see-through type c-Si PV module.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2010.06a
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• pp.129.1-129.1
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• 2010

Since the commencement of the fuel cell business in 2007, POSCO POWER has been the major supplier of the MCFC (Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell), which is the most commercialized stationary fuel cell system in the world. With its quite, yet active movement, more than 20MW MCFC systems have been installed and are operating in Korea. While trying to localize the components and set up a firm supply chain in Korea to provide more reliable and cost-competitive products to its customers, POSCO POWER is also devoting itself to developing new MCFC application products. One such product is a back-up power system, in which a back-up algorithm is embedded to the present system so that the product can work as a back-up generator in case of grid failure. The technology to enhance load following capability of a stack module is also being developed with the back-up algorithm. Another example is a building application, the goal being to make the present Sub-MW product suitable for urban area. For this, downsizing and modularization are the main R&D scope. The project for developing ship service fuel cell for APU application will launch soon as well. In the project, a system which can operate in marine environment, and reforming technology for liquid logistic fuel will be developed.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.233-236
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• 2000

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is the most widely used microbial insecticide in the biological control market. Cultivation of the microorganism to high cell densities offers potential for enhancing the rate of formation as well as the concentration of the desired products In the fermentation broths in bioreactor. With this objective, we developed the new bioreactor incorporating ceramic membrane module for the retention of cell mass. Cell yield and spore formation of Bacillus thuringiensis was improved markedly by adopting this new bioreactor based on glucose -limited feeding operation. It was possible to grow the cell and the heat-resistant spore to above $1.2\;{\times}\;10^{10}\;CFU/ml$ density. With glucose-limited operation, we studied the growth behavior of Bacillus thuringiensis during the cell retention culture. Linear growth of Bacillus thuringiensis was observed under glucose-limited culture, which matched well with simple mathematical model of cell retention culture.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers A
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• v.48 no.10
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• pp.1303-1310
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• 1999

In this paper, the Timed Petri-Nets(TPN) modeling of Modular Cell Manufacturing Systems(MCMS) was investigated to overcome the limit of batch mode operation, which has been one of the most popular manufacturing types to produce an extensive industrial output and to be able to adopt to suitable and quickly changing manufacturing environments. A model of the MCMS was developed in reference to the actual TFT-LCD manufacturing system. TFT-LCD manufacturing system is not mass-productive in batch mode, but it operates in the form of MCMS which consists of a sequence of several cells with four processes of operation, including those of color filter(C/F), TFT, cell, and module. The cell process is further regrouped in those of Front-End and Back-End. For the Back-End cell process, it is reconstructed into a virtual model, consisting of three cells. The TPN modeling encompasses those properties, such as states and operations of machines, the number of buffers, and the processing time. The performance of the modeling was further examined in terms of scheduling system. The productivity in each cells was examined with respect to the change of failure rate of the cell machines and Automatic Guided Vehicles(AGV) using simulation by TPN.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.484-492
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• 2012

The TMS(Thermal Management System) heater in a fuel cell vehicle has been developed to prevent a decline of fuel cell durability and cold start durability. Main functions of the COD(Cathode Oxygen Depletion) heater are depletion of oxygen in a cathode as heat energy and consumption of electric power for rapid warming up of a fuel cell stack. This paper covers subjects including the design specification of a heater, heater controller for detection of overheat and reliability assessment including coolant pressure cycle test of a heater. To verify the design concept, burst pressure and deformation analysis of plastic housing were carried out. Also, temperature distribution analysis of heater surface and coolant inside of housing were carried out to verify the design concept. By designing the plastic housing instead of a steel housing, the 30% weight lightening and 50% cost reduction were attained. A module-based design of a TMS system including a heater or reducing the watt density of a heater is a problem to be solved in the near future work.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.6-16
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• 2024

The efficiency of silicon solar cells is approaching a theoretical limit referred to as 'the state of the art'. Consequently, maintaining efficiency is more productive than pursuing improvements the last room for limiting efficiency. One of the primary considerations in silicon module conservation is the occurrence of failures and degradation. Degradation can be mitigated during the cell manufacturing stage, unlike physical and spontaneous failure. It is mostly because the chemical reaction is triggered by the carrier generation of thermal and light injection, an inherent aspect of the solar cell environment. Therefore, numerous researchers and cell manufacturers are engaged in implementing mitigation strategies based on the physical degradation mechanism.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.359-362
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• 2016

In the PV (Photovoltaic) power system, a junction box collects the DC voltage generated from the PV module and transfers it to the PCS (power conditioning system). The junction box prevents damage caused by the voltage difference between the serially connected PV modules and provides convenience while repairing or inspecting the PV array. In addition, the junction box uses the diode to protect modules from the inverse current when the PV power system and electric power system are connected for use. However, by using the reverse blocking diode, heat is generated within the junction box while generating electric power, which decreases the generating efficiency, and causes short circuit and electric leakage. In this research, based on the purpose of improving the performance of the PV module by decreasing the heat generation within the junction box, a junction box with a built-in bypass circuit was designed/manufactured so that a certain capacity of current generated from the PV module does not run through the reverse blocking diode. The manufactured junction box was used to compare the electric power and heating power generated when the circuit was in the bypass/non-bypass modes. It was confirmed that the electric power loss and heat generation indicated a decrease when the circuit was in the bypass mode.