Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE
In the “Center for Material Characterization and Durability Analysis”, Fraunhofer ISE pools its technical competence in the testing and measurement of many different materials for applications in active and passive solar energy utilization, energy storage and building energy technology.
One focus is the comprehensive analysis of the material characteristics. We specialize in the investigation of semiconductors, solar cells, photovoltaic modules, thermochemical and porous materials (e. g. zeolite), phase change materials (PCM), phase change slurries (PCS), polymers as well as coatings on glass and metal and develop suitable, new methods for material characterization, especially non-destructive analytical methods. We also have many years of expertise in investigating material performance under different load conditions e. g. in different climate zones. In order to predict the performance and durability of materials under these different applications, we make use of data from analytical measurements, real operation and from accelerated lifetime tests. We also create simulation models in order to calculate the material behavior and degradation.
Technical Facilities
Material Characterization DilatometerDifferential Scanning Calorimeter DSC (10 μl to 10 ml, -90 to 700 °C)Modulated temperature calorimeter (up to 100ml, -10 to 180 °C)Hot plate system (up to 50 cm x 50 cm) to determine the heat capacity as a function of temperatureLaser flash and hot-wire apparatus to determine the heat and thermal conductivity (-90 °C to 500 °C)Lock-in thermography and electroluminescenceBET porosimetry to determine surface area and pore structure of highly porous materialsX-ray diffractometer (XRD) to determine crystal structureConfocal Raman microscope with AFMRotational rheometer to determine flow behavior of materials in the range from -20 °C to 600 °CMass spectrometer to determine temperature-dependent permeation characteristics of barrier materialsFT IR spectrometer with integrating spheres (UV/visible, IR)Photoluminescence, thermographic and electrical methods for the spatially resolved and quantitative analysis of silicon material quality and solar cellsDurability Analysis Outdoor test sites with comprehensive monitoring in different climate zonesCyclic temperature tests of PCM and hydrothermal cycling of adsorbent composite samplesTest set-ups for investigation degradation of materials and components, for semiconductors, solar cells and modules |