Press Releases


3/15/2011 - NATCORE TECHNOLOGY BEGINS PRODUCTION OF INTELLIGENT AR COATING PROCESSING STATION
Written by Administrator   
Tuesday, 15 March 2024 15:36

Natcore Technology Begins Production of Intelligent AR Coating Processing Station

System Will Grow Antireflective Coatings on Solar Cells


Red Bank, NJ — (March 15, 2024) —Natcore Technology Inc. (TSX-V: NXT; NTCXF.PK) today begins work on the first production model of its intelligent LPD processing station for growing an antireflective (AR) coating on silicon wafers in the process of becoming solar cells.

By using its exclusive technology, licensed from Rice University, Natcore believes its device will revolutionize the way solar cells are manufactured. At present, solar cell manufacture involves an expensive chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method that requires a high-temperature vacuum furnace; highly toxic and flammable silane and other dangerous chemicals; and silicon disks of sufficient thickness to withstand the high-temperature firing.

Conversely, Natcore’s is a liquid phase deposition (LPD), or wet chemistry, process. It grows the AR coating in a warm chemical bath; eradicates the need for silane; dramatically reduces energy requirements; and significantly lowers silicon usage. The resulting solar cells will be less expensive and less environmentally harmful than conventional solar cells.

Natcore is producing its device at MicroTech Systems, Inc., a 15,000 sq. ft. facility located in Fremont, CA. The 25-year-old Silicon Valley company designs and manufactures wet stations for solar, LED, semiconductor, biomedical, data storage and other high technology applications. MicroTech’s intelligent process control will be integrated with Natcore’s LPD technology into a wet process platform.

Natcore’s intelligent LPD process station will be a totally enclosed system that contains a pre-clean subsystem for wafer cleaning before introduction of wafers into the LPD process; an LPD process subsystem incorporating Natcore’s latest sizing and process control input; and MicroTech’s latest drying module specifically designed for low metallic contamination, which is important for optimal solar performance.

But perhaps the major feature of the Natcore device will be its ability to monitor the coating process throughout. Specifically, it will use MicroTech’s spectrometer-based technology to accurately measure the thickness of the AR coating on a wafer while it is submerged in a chemical bath, and can alter the composition and duration of the bath in order to produce cells with greater simplicity and a high degree of precision.

Production will be conducted in two phases. The first phase, estimated to take approximately 8–10 weeks, will result in a manual development system, measuring about 8 ft. x 6 ft. x 6 ft., that will allow Natcore scientists to refine the coating process. At that point, Natcore scientists and MicroTech engineers will determine what changes need to be made and how much automation they want to add in the second and final phase. The final production system will measure about 20 ft. x 6 ft. x 8 ft. high. It will be a self-contained modular system capable of recycling its own effluents and of producing 3,000 AR-coated wafers/hour.

"This device will be adapted from existing, proven equipment already in wide use in industry, but will incorporate Natcore’s LPD technology in exciting new ways,” notes Brien Lundin, Natcore’s Chairman. “The testing that we will do on the initial equipment will have a goal of rapidly introducing our intelligent device into an existing solar cell fabrication line. Dependent upon the results of that testing, we hope to have a product ready for sale in the near future.”

“We’re building our first production model in the U.S., rather than at our China joint venture, for reasons of time, quality, and logistics,” says Chuck Provini, Natcore’s president and CEO. “We want to set the standard for quality and reliability. By building it in California, we can keep a close eye on the machine’s development without the disruption created by a 12-hour time difference and the need to travel halfway around the world. And by choosing MicroTech, we are assured of the highest quality.”

“We have been impressed with Natcore’s vision of bringing cost effective Liquid Phase Deposition into solar cell manufacturing and are excited with the working relationship already established between the companies” says Tom Halloran, Microtech’s Director of Business Development and Program Manager of Microtech.

“We believe that Natcore’s LPD technology truly provides a paradigm shift in driving the cost of solar manufacturing and we wanted to be an integral part of that solution. We feel privileged to have been chosen as the equipment development partner,” states Tom Vukosav, President and CEO of MicroTech Systems Inc.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 15 March 2024 15:39 )
 
Natcore Technology CEO clip from BusinessTV (Canada).
 
2/8/2011- REP. SLAUGHTER ENCOURAGES NATCORE TECHNOLOGY TO LOCATE FACILITY IN KODAK'S BUSINESS PARK
Written by Administrator   
Tuesday, 08 February 2024 14:42

Rep. Slaughter Encourages Natcore Technology to Locate Facility in Kodak’s Business Park

Solar innovator would adapt roll-to-roll photo film machinery to manufacture thin-film solar cells.

 

Red Bank, NJ — (February 8, 2011) — Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (NY-28) has announced that negotiations are under way to bring a New Jersey solar technology company to Kodak’s Eastman Business Park, bringing with it the promise of more green jobs in Rochester.

Slaughter has been working with Natcore Technology Inc. (TSX-V: NXT; NTCXF.PK), whose technology would enable the manufacture of flexible solar cells that could reduce the cost of making solar panels and the time required to install solar arrays by more than 60 percent. Based in Red Bank, New Jersey, Natcore currently does not have a presence in Upstate New York. But seeing that Eastman Business Park would be a perfect fit to meet Natcore’s research, development, and manufacturing needs, Slaughter has joined Kodak in trying to establish a future production facility and Natcore’s research lab in Rochester.

“I have been amazed by the solar technology being developed by Natcore because I see the potential it has to make solar energy more efficient and cleaner to produce,” said Slaughter. “In Rochester, we are all familiar with the technological expertise and manufacturing knowhow on the Kodak campus and if we can pair their capabilities with the emerging technology being developed by Natcore, we can bring the green jobs of tomorrow to Rochester. I see Natcore and Kodak to be an ideal fit and I’m happy to do everything I can to bring these companies together.”

On the heels of President Obama’s call in his State of the Union Address to grow U.S. innovation, Slaughter also personally called on the Obama Administration and the U.S. Energy Department to work with Natcore so that it can establish a manufacturing center in Rochester. In previous expansion ventures, Natcore has formed a joint venture with companies in China but Slaughter is encouraging them to manufacture their flexible solar cells in the United States so that the technology created in America is manufactured in America.

“We are deeply committed to keeping our technology in our own country,” says Natcore President and CEO Chuck Provini. “But so far it’s been difficult to accomplish that. Now Congresswoman Slaughter has injected a burst of energy on our behalf, with the White House, the DOE and Kodak. We are deeply grateful for her vision and persistence. Although typically our business plan has us licensing our technology rather than producing the cells ourselves, a joint venture with Kodak might be an exception. Their roll-to-roll photo film production equipment could be easily adapted for our flexible solar cell technology.” The details of a Kodak–Natcore undertaking are still to be worked out, according to Provini. At present, Natcore is neither manufacturing nor licensing its technology anywhere.

Kodak is a leader in chemical, thin film, and coating capabilities, which are all core competencies needed for the production of photovoltaic solar cells.

"No one knows more about manufacturing film products than Kodak," said Mike Alt, Director of Eastman Business Park. "Kodak has developed thin film technology that is directly applicable to the next generation of photovoltaic panels. At Eastman Business Park, we have the technical resources, development and pilot tools, and the manufacturing capacity to accelerate the commercialization of new technologies, such as Natcore's roll-to-roll solar cell process."

Natcore may also establish an R&D; lab at Eastman Business Park where it would accelerate its development of tandem solar cells using Natcore’s proprietary liquid phase technology. These super-efficient cells could achieve twice the power output of today’s most efficient solar cells.

Due to Slaughter’s intervention, Department of Energy officials are now meeting with Natcore to assess possible programs to help fund the development of a manufacturing operation at Eastman Business Park.

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Statements herein other than purely historical factual information, including statements relating to revenues or profits, or Natcore’s future plans and objectives, or expected sales, cash flows, and capital expenditures constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions and are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties inherent in Natcore’s business, including risks inherent in the technology history. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on such statements. Except in accordance with applicable securities laws, Natcore expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking statements that are incorporated by reference herein.

 

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 08 February 2024 14:44 )
 
1/10/2024 - NATCORE'S COATING TECHNOLOGY SCORES HIGH IN FIRST-EVER PRODUCTION TEST
Written by Administrator   
Monday, 10 January 2024 00:00

Natcore’s Coating Technology Scores High

In First-Ever Production Test

Beta Test System Gets Green Light

 

Red Bank, NJ — (January 10, 2011) —The antireflective (AR) coating technology of Natcore Technology Inc. (TSX-V: NXT; NTCXF.PK) has been independently validated by a prominent Chinese solar cell manufacturer.

Several silicon wafers with antireflection coatings prepared by Natcore’s researchers at the Ohio State University were supplied to a Chinese government-selected solar cell manufacturer for cell finishing and testing. The wafers were coated using Natcore’s exclusive liquid phase deposition (LPD) technology.

The validating company, Hunan TLNZ Solar Technology Ltd., analyzed the composition and quality of the Natcore-supplied films, added metal front and back contacts to the cells, and tested their efficiency. Cell efficiencies as high as 15% were measured for this first-ever test of Natcore’s AR coating technology using actual production solar cells. Importantly, the standard deviation of efficiencies for the entire batch of cells was within normal industry acceptance limits. The results demonstrate that Natcore’s LPD AR coating technology is completely compatible with standard silicon solar cell production methods and can easily be integrated into existing solar cell manufacturing facilities.

The validating company also identified the process steps to be included in a commercial production system that will enable cells using Natcore’s AR coating technology to routinely reach or exceed 17% efficiency in production. This result gives the green light to Natcore China, Natcore’s China joint venture, to complete the development of a beta test system.

“This is a major step on the way from the lab to the marketplace,” says Natcore President and CEO Chuck Provini. “Just as we anticipated, our efficiencies will equal or exceed efficiencies from cells produced using conventional means. But we’re doing so at significantly lower cost—and without using high-temperature vacuum furnaces, toxic silane or huge amounts of silicon, and without the environmental damage created by the old chemical vapor deposition method. We’re replacing the CVD method with our LPD wet chemistry process. And we’re making solar power cost- competitive with conventional power.”

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

“Charles Provini”

President and Chief Executive Officer

Contact:

Chuck Provini

732-576-8800

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

natcoresolar.com

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Statements herein other than purely historical factual information, including statements relating to revenues or profits, or Natcore’s future plans and objectives, or expected sales, cash flows, and capital expenditures constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions and are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties inherent in Natcore’s business, including risks inherent in the technology history. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on such statements. Except in accordance with applicable securities laws, Natcore expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking statements that are incorporated by reference herein.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

 
1/4/2024 - NATCORE TECHNOLOGY CLOSES OVERSUBSCRIBED NON-BROKERED PRIVATE PLACEMENT
Written by Administrator   
Tuesday, 04 January 2024 16:25

Natcore Technology Closes Oversubscribed

Non-Brokered Private Placement

Financing Raises $3,000,000

 

Red Bank, NJ — (January 4, 2024) —Natcore Technology Inc. (TSX-V: NXT; NTCXF.PK) announces today the completion of a C$3.0 million private placement. The funds will be used to accelerate the company’s research and development activities, particularly in the area of super-efficient tandem solar cells, and for general working capital.

The financing, which was announced on December 14. 2010, and was expected to total C$2.0 million, was substantially oversubscribed. As a result, Natcore received gross proceeds of C$3,024,425, pursuant to the issuance of 4,032,566 units at a price of C$0.75 per unit. The overallotment has received regulatory approval, including the sanction of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Each unit comprised one common share and one-half warrant, with each full warrant enabling purchase of a further common share at C$1.00 for a period of three years from closing. In the event that Natcore shares close at over C$1.75 for 20 consecutive trading days, the warrants will be subject to accelerated conversion within 30 days’ notice of the company disseminating a press release providing notice of that circumstance.

“We see this oversubscription as a vote of confidence from the investment community,” says Natcore President and CEO Chuck Provini. “The funds will be put to good use. We’re actively engaged in selecting the most advantageous location for our own laboratory facilities, and this funding will allow us to rapidly accelerate our tandem solar cell research program.”

The first tranche of the placement, representing the sale of 2,469,333 units, was completed on December 22, 2010. All securities issued pursuant to the first tranche of the placement are subject to a hold period expiring on April 23, 2010. The balance of the placement, representing 1,563,233 units, was completed today. All securities issued pursuant to the second tranche of the placement are subject to a hold period expiring on May 5, 2011.

 
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