Integrated Hydrogen Sensor/Separator Module Provides Long-Term Boost in Efficiency and Revenue in Solar Power Plants
Established in 1963, the R&D 100 Awards is the only S&T (science and technology) awards competition that recognizes new commercial products, technologies, and materials for their technological significance that are available for sale or license. The R&D 100 Awards, celebrating the program's 60th Anniversary this year, has long been a benchmark of excellence for industry sectors as diverse as telecommunications, high-energy physics, software, manufacturing, and biotechnology. This 2022 R&D 100 winner is listed below, along with its respective category.
Category: Process/Prototyping
Developers: National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Co-Developers: Acciona Solar Power, Inc.
United States
Product Description:National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) turned this fast growth into an advantage by developing a reactor with multiple chambers, allowing the team to abruptly change which elements are growing on the crystal. Not only does this enable cheaper, faster growth, but it perfectly sets the stage for a transition to high-throughput, in-line production of the world’s best solar cells and semiconductors.
Developers: National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Co-Developers: Acciona Solar Power, Inc.
United States
Product Description:National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) turned this fast growth into an advantage by developing a reactor with multiple chambers, allowing the team to abruptly change which elements are growing on the crystal. Not only does this enable cheaper, faster growth, but it perfectly sets the stage for a transition to high-throughput, in-line production of the world’s best solar cells and semiconductors.

H2-Module_Photo#1.png: Lab photo of sensor/separator module