Electrically Conductive Glass

Lehigh University Office of Technology Transfer
posted on 06/11/2011

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Description:

Lehigh University has developed a novel method to make glass with electrical conductivity. The technology uses a discovery of ionic-to-electronic conductivity transition by adding small amounts of gold to glass. This method increases electrical conductivity by a factor of 4 quite reproducibly. This method may be able to utilize other metals than gold and has applications in solar panel manufacturing.

The Market:

Ordinary colorless, transparent glasses are normally electrical insulators, however, there are a number of applications in optoelectronics, such as in solar cells (a $45B market), where high optical transparency and high electrical conductivity are needed. [1] Further market pull for this kind of technology comes from the need of substitute materials for solar cells, as indium tin oxide is expensive, [2] and the fact that many companies in the solar cell market have begun entering the non-silicon based market, establishing a larger manufacturing infrastructure and increasing market share for these kinds of technologies. [3]

The Opportunity

Lehigh University is interested in licensing this technology.

For More Information on this Technology Contact:

Yatin S. Karpe, Ph.D.
Associate Director

Office of Technology Transfer
Lehigh University
354 Whitaker Laboratory
5 East Packer Ave.
Bethlehem, PA 18015

Phone: (610) 758-5841
Fax: (610) 758-5888 fax
Email: yatin.karpe@lehigh.edu
Web: http://www.lehigh.edu/ott

Claire Casola

Licensing Coordinator

Foresight Science & Technology

401-273-4844 Ext. 17; Claire.Casola@Foresightst.Com

Manniche Alves

Licensing Associate

Foresight Science & Technology

401-273-4844 Ext. 32; Mannihce.Alves@Foresightst.Com

[1].      "Research Fim: Global Solar Cell Market to Explode by 2012, America Will Gain Influence."CrunchGear web site. http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/08/20/research-firm-global-solar-cellmarket-to-explode-by-2012-america-willgain-influence  (accessed April 28, 2011).

[2].      "Transparent Solar Cells Made for Windows." June 16, 2009. ScienceDaily web site. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090610161004.htm  (accessed April 28, 2011)

[3].      "Global Solar Photovoltaic Market Analysis and Forecasts to 2020." PRLog web site. http://www.prlog.org/10198293-global-solar-photovoltaic-market-analysis-and-forecasts-to-2020.html (accessed April 28, 2011).