Internship | Wafer recovery recycling from laser-delaminated solar panels

The topic is recycling of photovoltaic (PV) modules. A PV module is a stack made up of the PV material (as well as metallisation, connections etc), encapsulated with polymer or glass sheets on both sides. Since PV modules contain both valuable and toxic elements, developing efficient recycling processes is becoming absolutely essential in a context where the installed PV capacity is exponentially increasing and a very large amount of PV modules will reach their end of life in the very near future.

In this context, we have developed a very successful laser-based process that opens up the PV moule stack.

The research will take place at TNO on the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven.

The main focus of the assignment is on recovering the wafer pieces from the open stack (i.e., after glass and encapsulant delamination), to access the valuable silver and high purity silicon. For this, we are exploring different routes, both chemical and mechanical/physical. The details of the assignment can be tailored to the student to some extent, but the activities will include developing different wafer separation methods as well as characterisation of materials and interfaces (e.g., SEM/EDS, optical microscopy, peel testing, DSC, TGA, etc), analysing the data, formulating hypotheses and designing new experiments to test them.

The work is divided between hands-on experiments and data analysis/interpretation. The ratio between experiments and analysis can be tuned, to some extent, to the candidate’s abilities/preferences.

• A background in chemistry or material science
• Good hands-on skills, including with (light) chemistry
• High motivation, with a curious nature and a taste for problem-solving
• Good communication skills, to exchange with the team, present your results weekly, and gather the information needed to tackle specific challenges

The duration of this project should be minimum 3-4 months, preferably 6+, and preferably in the MSc phase of your studies. You need to be affiliated with a university during the internship for eligibility. The research will take place at TNO on the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven.

An internship at TNO means working in an environment where substance and impact are central. You will become part of a knowledge organisation where research and practice come together, and where experts collaborate on solutions to current societal and technological challenges. Your internship is a period in which you can discover what suits you, where your strengths lie and what you would like to learn next.

You are part of a professional working environment, gain insight into how things work in practice, and have the opportunity to build experience that goes beyond this internship alone. For many students, an internship is therefore also a first step in discovering whether TNO could be a potential next step after graduation.

In addition, we offer you:

• A professional and innovative internship environment in which you actively contribute to societal and technological challenges, working alongside leading experts in your field.
• Personal and dedicated supervision, with focus on your learning objectives, development and study assignment.
• Room to develop: you gain relevant work experience, develop both your subject-specific and professional skills, and build a valuable network.
• Use of a laptop and the facilities you need to perform your work effectively.
• A monthly internship allowance of € 615 for a full-time internship, for MSc, BSc and vocational education (MBO) students.
• Up to eight hours of leave per internship month for a full-time internship, allowing you to balance your internship with your studies and personal life.
• A…