Solar Cell Imaging: A Gateway to Stem Disciplines.

In this project, we are using image processing (both visible, near infrared, and far infrared) to study various aspects of solar cells including their materials, device operation, defects, variability, and reliability. Laboratory projects using low-cost fluorescent cameras, visible and near-IR cameras, and far-infrared thermal cameras are used to characterize the grain structure, defects, surface roughness, reflectivity, electroluminescence, photoluminescence, and photovoltaic operation of solar cell materials (e.g., monocrystalline and multicrystalline silicon wafers), thin-film and nano solar cells, commercial silicon solar cells, and photovoltaic modules. Students can import captured images into MATLAB or other widely-available image processing software for analysis and interpretation. Topical laboratory modules and projects are being developed suitable for on-line delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]