REusable MAsk Patterning

Project Information

REMAP

Grant agreement ID: 101046909

DOI

10.3030/101046909

Project closed

EC signature date 7 March 2022

Start date 1 March 2022

End date 28 February 2026

Funded under

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Total cost

€ 3 925 043,25

EU contribution

€ 3 925 043,25

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI GENOVA
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - REMAP (REusable MAsk Patterning)

Reporting period: 2023-03-01 to 2024-08-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

REMAP aims to address the pressing problems and needs associated with large-scale manufacturing of semiconductor-quality surface patterns for industries such as photovoltaics. The project takes a multidisciplinary approach, integrating input from chemistry and physics to engineering, economics and social sciences to better understand and tackle the complex challenges at hand.
Our overall objective is to demonstrate a radically new microfabrication methodology going way beyond the accepted paradigm of optical projection lithography for what concerns the energy and material sustainability. The principle is based on the reversible formation and erasure of templates on a substrate’s surface, enabling to preferentially direct the deposition of functional materials according to pre-set designs. The targeted resolution in the range of tens of micrometers is appealing for the solar cell industry.
The scale of impact resulting from our scientific advancements in the long term is still hard to imagine because one of the objectives is to uncover the physical limits of the underlying concept. In the medium term, REMAP’s results are expected to contribute significantly to a rejuvenation of EU’s photovoltaic manufacturing, due to an innovation-driven competitiveness.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

REMAP’s pathway to impact involves several stages of planning, implementation, and evaluation to ensure maximum efficacy. First, we formulate a smart multifunctional fluid containing magnetic nanoparticles and electrochemical molecules developed in parallel. We design and fabricate a special electronic circuit to generate micro-structured magnetic fields able to generate the sought pattern design by remotely manipulating the shape of the smart fluid. We then deposit appropriate features in sequence on a glass substrate to produce a solar cell prototype proving the concept. So far, we are on track on the development of the smart fluid and the electronic circuit design, whereas proof of concept is scheduled towards the end of the project.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

REMAP has already demonstrated an impactful solution to the generation of micro-structured magnetic fields via the invention of cleverly designed electronic circuits that may find applications beyond the originally intended purpose. Details about this achievement cannot be disclosed until protection of the results is implemented.

REMAP's proof of concept description

REMAP versus state-of-the-art