HUNT VALLEY, MD – May 5, 2009 – Reactive NanoTechnologies, Inc. (RNT), developer and manufacturer of its patented NanoFoil®, today announced that AVANCIS GmbH & Co. KG, Munich, Germany; manufacturer of CIS thin-film solar modules, has experienced a 30% increase in the deposition rate of aluminum–doped zinc oxide (AZO) transparent conductive oxide films by using NanoBond® to bond the AZO target to a copper backing plate. NanoBond® enables room temperature bonding of this class of target assemblies using tin solder instead of indium. Due to the fact that tin is more electrically conductive and provides a stronger bond, the sputtering process can be run at higher power settings. The result is a higher deposition rate, which translates into higher throughput and lowers overall manufacturing costs. AVANCIS did not experience any increase in arcing or degradation in film quality as a result of running at the higher deposition rate.
“The tested 30% increase in deposition rate reveals that NanoBond® is a bond with superior performance compared to other bonding techniques,” stated a senior manager at AVANCIS.
“This is yet another success story for using NanoBond® to bond a target material used in an application where throughput and cost are concerns,” stated RNT’s Global Vice President of Sales, Michael O’Neill. “We were able to help AVANCIS be more competitive by providing a robust bond, allowing them to fully realize the benefits of using AZO transparent conductive oxide films for their solar panel production.”
About RNT
Headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland, Reactive NanoTechnologies, Inc. (RNT) was founded in 2001 to develop and manufacture its patented technology, NanoFoil®.
NanoFoil® is used to precisely control the instantaneous release of heat energy for advanced joining applications providing superior performance and value to the user. The company has also developed its patented NanoBond® joining process to simplify manufacturing and ensure the benefits of NanoFoil® are maximized. NanoBond® is used today to bond sputter targets and in several electronics assembly applications including LED assembly and thermal management. Mass production of NanoFoil® is taking place from RNT’s onsite manufacturing facilities, supported by a worldwide sales, applications support, and distribution network. RNT continues to expand its customer base and has entered into licensing agreements with a number of Fortune 500 Companies. Its breakthrough technology has also earned several prestigious awards including the 2005 “R&D 100” from R&D Magazine, the 2005 Nano 50™ from NASA Nanotech Briefs Magazine and recognition in The National Nanotechnology Initiative Strategic Plan in December 2004. For more information please visit www.rntfoil.com.
About AVANCIS
Headquartered in Torgau, Germany, AVANCIS GmbH & Co. KG is a joint venture between Shell and Saint-Gobain to manufacture solar power panels based on advanced CIS (copper indium di-selenide) technology. Founded in 2006, the joint venture will combine Shell’s CIS technology expertise, supported by eight years of CIS marketing experience, with Saint-Gobain’s global and in-depth know-how of glass processing and building material manufacturing. For further information please visit www.avancis.de.