The SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST) and Anabond Ltd., a company manufacturing adhesives and sealants, have announced a technology-transfer agreement for next generation solar cell encapsulants that would enhance the performance, durability, and efficiency of the cells.

This polymer encapsulant has been patented and purpose-built for next generation solar cells, said K. Ananthanarayanan of Chemistry Department of SRMIST, who headed the team of scientists that developed the product.

“Encapsulants do to solar cells what tempered glass does to mobile phone display,” Prof. Ananthanarayanan told reporters on Monday. They protect solar modules from ultraviolet radiation, moisture, dust, and environmental stress. The product developed by SRMIST could be used on next-generation solar modules like Silicon Perovskite Tandem solar cells or Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCon). “A better encapsulant improves the lifetime of the solar panel, bringing down the electricity costs,” he added.

While not committing to a timeline for the product’s market introduction, M. Rajan, Managing Director, Anabond, said that his company will now have to scale up production, convert the liquid encapsulant into a film, fine tune the casting process, and ascertain its commercial viability.

Licensing agreement

The licensing agreement includes ₹1 crore upfront payment for the patent, followed by a royalty arrangement for seven years linked to annual turnover, said R. Ananth Kumar, Head of Technology Transfer Office, SRMIST. The TTO, he said, has facilitated 17 technology transfers but this was the first time a royalty arrangement was initiated with the industry partner.

C. Muthamizhchelvan, Vice Chancellor, SRMIST, P. Sathyanarayanan, Pro Chancellor (Academics), SRMIST, Shantanu Patil, Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, SRMIST, and M.S. Abraham, Joint Managing Director, Anabond, also spoke at the event.