Biosphere's solar panels are made using a Poly-Iso-Butylene (PIB) edge-seal, rather than the traditional lamination used to glue solar panels together. We add another material to make the solar panels highly efficient. This stack makes it possible to cut the edge-seal at end-of-life and easily separate the components. The effects of these materials on performance have been shown to be effective in collaboration with the PVMD department at EEMCS, Applied Physics, and IDE (TU Delft).
We now need a material expert with a Material Science or Chemical Engineering background to investigate the following aspects: (1) The optimal edge sealing material (2) The optimal encapsulating materials to use (2) What are important interactions between the encapsulating material and the sealant? (3) What are important interactions between the encapsulating materials and the electronic components (including ionic exchange and corrosion)? (4) What is the stability of the material over the lifetime? (5) How can we assess and weigh off the safety, environmental sustainability and other parameters related to the used material.
Extended Application Deadline: February 30th 2025
Interested?
The energy transition is about giving energy to our society in a way that is responsible for today and tomorrow. Although renewable energy is much less carbon-intensive than fossil fuels, many renewables still deplete scarce resources, harm the environment and/or biodiversity, and are not socially sustainable.
To address these problems, Biosphere Solar is developing a fair, open-source and circular solar panel that can be repaired, upgraded and highly recycled. Biosphere Solar's mission to bring truly sustainable energy to both the market and industry, and that is why we are creating a global community of innovators who want to lead the way in designing a new generation of solar panels. The reason that solar panels are not currently circular has mainly to do with lamination. That is an adhesive that is used to protect the solar cells from the elements, but also makes the solar panel impossible to take apart again at the end of its life. Biosphere Solar replaces that lamination with a gasket, which seals the solar panel at the edge. That means no EVA or other laminating materials are bonded to the PV cells.
The module is glass-glass with a double edge seal of PIB and silicone, which prevents the ingress of moisture and oxygen. The inner atmosphere is inert, which is achieved using desiccants and oxygen absorbers. Besides the possibility of remanufacturing, this design has other advantages such as long life, reduced aging, low carbon footprint, and a more efficient manufacturing process. Furthermore, Biosphere Solar avoids the use of toxic materials and the start-up works with supply chain partners that actively combat exploitation.
The work experience required for this position is knowing solar panel test equipment such as solar simulators, PID, climate chambers, static mechanical load, dynamic mechanical load, and voltage. Furthermore, it is important for the job that the applicant has a close knowledge of solar panel recycling and can work with existing recyclers on new recycling techniques.
Biosphere Solar has hosted numerous thesis and internship projects with institutes like TU Delft, Leiden University, The Hague UAS, Vrije Universiteit, Hogeschool Rotterdam and more. We are always open to receive project proposals from students, as long as they fit with our current needs and timeline. Some of the topics we can offer internship projects in are:
Renewable Energy Studies
One of the big challenges of the Biosphere Solar technology is that it's still relatively untested. We are of course working hard on testing for all sorts of harsh weather conditions. Students who want to help with stress testing are very much welcome. In the field of solar engineering we are currently searching for students of the Sustainable Energy Technology master at TU Delft who can support on the stress testing happening there.
Material Science or Chemical Engineering
Some of the biggest open questions around Biosphere Solar's technology revolve around the new materials we introduce in the module, including the optimal sealing material, reactions between the encapsulating material and the sealant, reactions between the encapsulating materials and the electronic components (including ionic exchange and corrosion), stability of the material over the lifetime, and assessing (fire)safety and biocompatibility of different materials.
Circular Economy and End-of-Life
A circular product is only as circular as the collection system that accompanies it. Currently Biosphere Solar promises to take back end-of-life modules if the customer wants to return them. However, a more comprehensive end-of-life strategy is needed to truly make Biosphere Solar's panels ready for the circular economy. But how do you do this with a product that can last 30 years or longer? Perhaps you could give us a clear picture..
Global Studies and Business Studies
The whole world is switching to solar. However, which market segments really feel the pain of not having circular solar panels? And which governments around the world place the highest emphasis on the circular economy. In other words, what's the ideal beachhead market for Biosphere Solar? Are you interested in analysing global markets, or conducting customer interviews and market segmentation?
Robotics and Mechanical Engineering
Solar panels are one of the most important technologies in combatting climate change. However, the manufacturing of solar panels is still a capital-intense industrial process, even though the technology is reasonably low in complexity. Biosphere Solar already has shown that capital costs, factory footprint, energy use, and throughput related to manufacturing can be reduced by implementing edge-sealing instead of lamination. Biosphere needs help in fully designing and testing this process. But perhaps we can go even further and create a fully open-source and low cost manufacturing system. Are you up for the task?
Industrial Design and Product Design
The solar of the future is circular. That's our mission and vision. But imagine more and more solar panels around you start becoming circular. How can you tell? Will you be able to walk through the streets knowing which panels are circular and which are just plain old linear economy? How do people get a closer connection to the energy they generate on their roof? Are you up for designing the solar panel of the future?
Interested in one of these topics?
Are you interested in joining the Biosphere Solar team? Check out our open positions below
Biosphere Solar values diversity, sustainability, and future-proof work habits. We strive to make everyone feel welcome, no matter the gender, race, age, disability, etc. And not only feel welcome, but ready to change the world. We maintain a four day work week, with the 5th day as optional. Attendance at our workspace in Blue City Rotterdam is required. For recent graduates, we can accommodate Dutch visa sponsorship. We try to offer a broad compensation package and focus on employee well-being above all else. We greatly value learning on the job, so if you feel like you don't fully meet the requirements of the position, but you are willing to learn as you go, make this clear in your application. Finally, we are looking for people who do this for the impact. If you are motivated to make the world a better place and truly care about the future of sustainable energy, we are very much looking forward to hearing from you!
