Coupled in situ mechanical and chemical characterization of CIGS/perovskite photovoltaic cells

Job title:

Coupled in situ mechanical and chemical characterization of CIGS/perovskite photovoltaic cells

Company:

Job description

Offer DescriptionCoupled in situ mechanical and chemical characterization of CIGS/perovskite photovoltaic cells

• Context

Flexible photovoltaic devices based on thin film technologies are highly desirable for the development of new applications as well as for the facilitation and reduction of the manufacturing costs. The technology based on Cu(Inx,Ga(1-x))Se2 (CIGS) or perovskites (PK) thin film absorber material is one of the most promising as it has reached well established efficiencies higher than 20%. The electrical and optical properties of CIGS/PK thin films as function of deposition parameters have been extensively studied enabling a continuous improvement of the efficiency of this type of solar cells. In addition to their electrical and optical efficiency CIGS/PK thin films should be able to support without performance degradation different thermo-chemical-mechanical loading that they undergo during their lifetime. Moreover, the mechanical fields generated within the cell during use is dependent on the residual stresses generated during the manufacturing. In this framework, Minotaure project has been launched to study and understand degradation mechanisms (like oxidation) to overcome them. The influence of the stress states and the chemical coupling is the main objective of this PhD study. Minotaure (Multimodal approach combining in situ, ex situ and operando characterization with simulations for highly reliable next generation photovoltaics) project funded by ANR is concerning the reliability of advanced solar cell technologies and the priority research programs and facilities (PEPR) under France 2030 investment plan for the future. This project have been built a wide consortium of 22 French laboratories (IPVF, C2N, IMEP-LAHC, LRCS, LaSIRE, IMN, LPEM, ILV, IRCP, Foton, ISCR, LPICM, L2S, SyMMES, LSI, CEA, Synchrotron SOLEIL, EdF,…) with recognized complementary expertise in order to be able to address all the aspects of this problematic.

• Main objectives of Minotaure Project and of the PhD thesis

In the Minotaure PEPR ANR project, we will focus on i) the residual stresses generation understanding on CIGS/PK films, ii) the measurement of these residual stress state using diffraction methods, iii) the chemico-mechanical coupling understanding. This study aims to monitor the mechanical fields generated within the system at different stages, i.e. at initial state and during in situ accelerated ageing. The mechanical fields (strain and stress) will be
measured by X-ray diffraction (XRD) at synchrotron facilities, as high energy combined with high flux are needed to capture rapid evolution in real time and to reach sub-micrometric spatial resolution, and at laboratory scale when time resolution is not needed. ln all cases, XRD experiments at the laboratory scale will be performed at the first stage of the development to calibrate and gain experience about the studied systems. Ageing cells that are adapted for X-ray diffraction experiments and that allow to mimic the degradation mechanisms of the system will be developed. A particular attention will be paid to the ageing cells development to combine as much as possible of in situ characterisation techniques. Cartography of mechanical fields within the system will be obtained and compared/correlated with the other cartographies of properties. This approach will provide insights/guidelines to the Finite Element Modeling (FEM) of the multiscale modelling of the coupled diffusion and thermomechanical
phenomenon. Chemico-mechanical coupling study will be shared with IPVF (Institut Photovoltaïque d’Île-de-
France). Combined mappings of mechanical stress and electrical properties using X-ray and differential luminescence will be performed with CEA/INES DTS (Institut National de l’Energie Solaire-Département des Technologies Solaires) with synchrotron facilities.

• Profile of the PhD student

Applicants must be graduated with a master science level (M2, school of engineer) with a flair for experimentation in materials science or mechanics of materials with a good level in numerical methods for mechanics (finite-elements…) and programming. A good knowledge of these disciplines is essential and an excellent track record, which reflects a strong commitment to science and engineering research is also required. Applicants should be able to work independently and be inquisitive. Previous publications in recognized scientific journals would be a bonus. English with a minimum C1 level is required.

• Practical information

Around 75% of the study time will be devoted to the experiments and 25% to the simulation and modelling. The PhD student will be employed by the ENSAM thought the PEPR ANR funding of the Minotaure project. He/she will be based at the MSMP laboratory, Arts et Métiers Institute of Technology, Aix-en-Provence Campus, for 100% of his time. Some meetings could take place at IPVF in Paris or to participate at synchrotron experiments at Grenoble (ESRF), Hamburg (DESY)…
Start date: Septembre 2024
Duration : 36 months

• The following application documents are required:

• a curriculum vitae and a list of publications if relevant,
• a cover letter,
• other documents considered to be important by the applicant such as an academic portfolio (academic marks, internship report if available and public…).
• Contact

Pr. Laurent BARRALLIER
Laboratoire MSMP
F-13617 Aix-en-ProvenceDr. Mohamed-Fares SLIM
Laboratoire MSMP
F-13617 Aix-en-ProvenceFunding category: Financement public/privé
ANR
PHD Country: FranceRequirementsSpecific RequirementsApplicants must be graduated with a master science level (M2, school of engineer) with a flair for experimentation in materials science or mechanics of materials with a good level in numerical methods for mechanics (finite-elements…) and programming. A good knowledge of these disciplines is essential and an excellent track record, which reflects a strong commitment to science and engineering research is also required. Applicants should be able to work independently and be inquisitive. Previous publications in recognized scientific journals would be a bonus. English with a minimum C1 level is required.Additional InformationWork Location(s)Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Arts et Métiers (ENSAM) – Laboratoire MSMP Country France City Aix-en-Provence GeofieldWhere to apply WebsiteContact WebsiteSTATUS: EXPIRED

Expected salary

Location

Aix-en-Provence

Job date

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 05:11:53 GMT

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