Printed Interconnection for Circular and Recyclable Photovoltaic Modules

Imec; Vlaams-Brabant; On-site; EUR 8,900 - 13,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Imec allowance

Job summary

Imec in Genk (EnergyVille) offers a Master internship focusing on circular and recyclable PV modules. You will work on printing interconnections, disassembly-friendly designs, and comprehensive materials characterization of mini-modules.

The project combines hands-on lab work with electrical and material analysis, aiming to advance sustainable PV technology and possibly a PhD proposal submission for 2027.

Qualifications

• Master internship in energy materials and PV module design.
• Work focuses on design for recycling (DfR) of PV modules.
• Involves printing interconnections and characterizing mini-modules.

Responsibilities

• Print interconnection of solar cells using screen-printing.
• Characterize electrical/material properties of mini-modules.
• Study reliability through accelerated tests (thermal cycling, damp heat, humidity).

Skills

Laboratory work

Materials characterization

Polymers

PV module knowledge

Education

Master's degree

Electrotechnics/Electrical Engineering

Materials Engineering

Energy

Physics

Tools

SEM

Optical microscopy

UV–visible spectroscopy

Current–voltage measurements

Electroluminescence imaging

Photoluminescence imaging

Job description

/ Printed Interconnection for Circular and Recyclable Photovoltaic Modules

Printed Interconnection for Circular and Recyclable Photovoltaic Modules

Master internship - Genk | About a week ago

The Urgent Need for Sustainable Solar Module Innovation

To achieve the targets of the energy transition aligned with the Paris Agreement, photovoltaic (PV) electricity must become a cornerstone of global energy supply. By 2050, installed PV capacity needs to grow from around 1 TW in 2022 to 15–60 TW. Considering that PV modules have a typical lifespan of 20–30 years, billions of modules will reach end-of-life in the coming decades, locking up tons of precious materials in complex, difficult-to-recycle assemblies. These challenges necessitate the urgent need for sustainable approaches in solar module fabrication.
This project focuses on design for recycling (DfR) of PV modules. Today’s commercial PV modules are difficult to disassemble at end-of-life because strong encapsulants make material recovery challenging. In this project, we will investigate new metallization, interconnection and module assembly approaches that make PV modules easier to assemble, disassemble and recycle. The work will include printing of the interconnection of solar cells using screen-printing-based methods. The fabricated mini-modules will be studied using electrical and material characterization techniques, including contact resistivity and line resistivity measurements, optical microscopy, SEM, (UV–visible) spectroscopy, current-voltage (IV) measurements, electroluminescence (EL) imaging and photoluminescence (PL) imaging, and monitored during accelerated reliability tests such as thermal cycling, damp heat and humidity-freeze testing.
The results of the work may contribute to the development of next-generation sustainable PV modules designed for easier recycling and reduced environmental impact.
Based on the results obtained during the thesis/internship, there may also be the possibility to develop a PhD proposal for FWO funding, with submission planned for March 2027. In case of approval, the student could start the PhD program from November 2027.
The work will be carried out in the newly built laboratories at imec in EnergyVille campus, Genk, working within the MPOWER team on PV module technology.
Type of project: Combination of internship and thesis
Duration: 6-9 months
Required degree: Master of Engineering Technology, Master of Engineering Science, Master of Science
Profile and motivation: This project is suited for a motivated student with a background in materials, physics, engineering, or a related field, who enjoys hands-on laboratory work and understanding the science behind materials and devices. Interest in photovoltaics, polymers, and materials characterization is welcome; prior experience is a plus but not required.

Type of internship: Master internship

Duration: 6 -9 months

Required educational background: Electrotechnics/Electrical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Energy, Physics

Imec allowance will be provided for students studying at a non-Belgian university.

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