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Spinoff story
Solar Cells
A real-world story of NASA technology finding a life beyond the mission.
About this technology
Overview
The Heat Exchanger Method (HEM) produces high efficiency crystal ingots in an automated well-insulated furnace offering low equipment, labor and energy costs. The grown" silicon crystals are used to make solar cells or photovoltaic cells which convert sunlight directly into electricity. The HEM method is used by Crystal Systems Inc. and was developed under a NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory contract. The square wafers which are the result of the process are sold to companies manufacturing solar panels."