Story Highlights

• Rochester firm getting grant through a Department of Energy program for solar energy development.
• U.S. Department of Energy's SunShot Initiative is intended to make solar energy more cost-competitive.

Intrinsiq Materials Inc., a nanotechnology company developing printable electronic ink, has been awarded a $450,000 federal grant.

The money from the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative was awarded to Intrinsiq to develop and commercialize a method of using nickel  silicide and copper in solar power cells.

Intrinsiq will work with Rochester Institute of Technology, and SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Photovoltaics Manufacturing and Technology Development Facility, located in Greece, to demonstrate printed solar cell contacts at a fraction of current costs with a greener manufacturing process.

The grant was supported by U.S Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-Fairport), U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer.

Solar photovoltaic cells are currently made using circuits with connections made from silver. Intrinsiq, which has been using a form of printable copper in circuit boards and other applications for several years, is investigating the use of copper for photovoltaic cells.

Copper ink is less expensive than silver ink and more abundant. In addition, Intrinsiq uses a lead-free process touted as being more environmentally friendly and less wasteful than conventional manufacturing.

Intrinsiq is contributing $120,000 to the project with help from private investors.

The SunShot Initiative is a national effort to drive innovation to make solar energy more cost-competitive before the end of the decade.

Intrinsiq is located in a 7,000-square-foot space at 1200 Ridgeway Ave., in the Eastman Business Park. The company currently has 10 employees in New York, but expects to create up to 25 new positions as a result of this new project.

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October 22, 2014