16ENG03 HyMet: Hybrid metrology for thin films in energy applications

• Forschungsstelle: METAS
• Projektnummer: F-5217.30082

Schlüsselwörter (Englisch)

Next-generation electronics; telecommunications; electronic power consumption, ultra-low power; high frequency electronics; Nano material characterization; energy efficient materials and devices

Kurzbeschreibung (Englisch)

The EU’s 2050 targets for energy efficiency and renewable energy generation stimulate fast growth of a multibillion multi-technology industry based on innovation. Two key challenges in the development of new technologies for energy generation, distribution and storage/conversion are to ensure long-term durability at the required performance and short time-to-market of innovative products. This project will develop a cross-cutting European hybrid metrology capability for the characterisation of thin film performance and durability in energy applications; essentially developing experimental and mathematical methods to enable datasets from multiple measurements to be combined to deliver new or better results than the sum of individual methods.

Currently over 50 % of the EU’s energy is imported, leading to a lack of price control due to volatility of international markets. This scenario is further complicated by increasing demand and the significant detrimental impact of fossil fuels on the environment. To combat that situation Europe’s strategy[1] is to focus on more efficient ways of generating and using energy, which should lead to reduced CO2 emissions, improved energy security, creation of local jobs and increased exports of EU expertise and products. The EU’s targets for the use of renewable energy and energy efficient devices have stimulated fast growth of a multi-technology market based on innovation. Two key challenges in the development of new technologies for energy generation, distribution and storage/conversion are to ensure long-term durability at the required performance and short time-to-market of innovative products.
New, efficient energy technologies currently face barriers to market entry due to the challenge of demonstrating required lifetimes before product deployment. Predictive modelling of aging would reduce investment risks in new technologies and provide a link between laboratory tests and real life operation. It also would provide a ranking method for different materials and manufacturing processes, accelerating the cost-effective development of new energy technologies. The key challenge for predictive modelling is that degradation is affected by a complex mix of different parameters which would require a new analytical approach to combined data analysis.
In parallel, faster and more cost efficient development and transfer of manufacturing processes from laboratory to factory would accelerate uptake of new energy-efficient products. The complexity of thin films used in energy applications means that device performance is affected by a combination of different sample characteristics. The requirement to use complementary characterisation methods leads to major challenges related to reliable correlation of datasets from different metrology tools. The result is increased scale-up time and costs that adversely affects the uptake of better performing energy technologies.

This is a joint research project carried out in the framework of the European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research (EMPIR) (see:http://www.euramet.org/research-innovation/empir/). The EMPIR initiative is co-funded by the European Unions's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and the participating states. METAS is one of the project partners in the Project.

Projektziele (Englisch)

The aim of this project is to develop a cross-cutting European hybrid metrology capability for the characterisation of thin films’ performance and durability in energy applications; it will develop experimental and mathematical methods to combine datasets from multiple measurements, delivering new or better results than the sum of individual methods.
The specific objectives of the project are to:

1. Develop hybrid experimental methods for improved analysis of complex energy thin film material properties and study their impact on the performance of energy products.
2. Develop data analysis, data fusion and mathematical models to implement the hybrid metrology methods.
3. Develop measurement methods for 2D and 3D chemical, structural, optical, and optoelectronic properties of nano-structured thin film energy materials and devices capable of identifying inhomogeneities at multiple scales.
4. Identify key measurement parameters for improved stability of thin film energy products and generation of new materials datasets as a function of aging.
5. Facilitate the uptake of the technology and measurement infrastructure developed in the project by the measurement supply chain (accredited laboratories, instrument manufacturers), standards developing organisations (DIN, ISO) and engage with industries that exploit thin films in energy applications to support the development of new, innovative products, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of EU industry.

Abstract (Englisch)

The project dealt with complex thin film materials, which are considered as key enablers of various multibillion Euro technologies, such as energy efficient materials, energy generation and power electronics.These fields share common metrology challenges. But existing techniques were developed individually, failing to build on synergies to deliver robust metrology for complex systems. In parallel, there was a lack of metrology methods that allow prediction of aging, in particular for new energy products that have not been in the market.

This project has addressed these two issues by
• developing hybrid metrology approaches where datasets from multiple measurements were combined to deliver new or better results than the sum of the individual methods;
• developing in-situ metrology methods, improve measurement sensitivity and identify key parameters that can be used to monitor or predict aging of thin film energy materi-als and devices.

 

Umsetzung und Anwendungen (Englisch)

• The results obtained might serve as a door opener for future collaborations with thin film producing companies, which aim at improving their production process. Connec-tions have been established. 
• The optical measurement system, which was developed within the project, can be used in other applications and projects.
• The experience gained with SMM measurements on thin film solar material has further sharpened the application profile of the SMM technique and led to a better understand-ing under which conditions such measurements can be useful. This knowledge can be used to determine the future application strategy of the SMM technique.
• Various samples had to undergo treatment in the cleanroom to prepare them for mean-ingful measurements. Competences in clean room techniques and sample preparation knowledge have been improved and can be used in future developments, applications and projects.