Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/989774
46 SMT007 MAGAZINE I JUNE 2018 member feedback, we updated and stream- lined the course, which was relaunched within IPC EDGE in Q3 2018. The revised program will be offered in two different models: a traditional classroom course, which will be help periodically at select loca- tions, and an online training program that can be completed remotely. The online program will run for six weeks, with fixed start and end dates, instructor lectures, group discussions, role-playing exercises, team projects, and peer- learning opportunities. In addition to revising the EDGE platform, IPC formed the Jobs Task Analysis (JTA) Committee, a group of industry experts who are tasked with defining a competency model for the electronics industry. The JTA Commit- tee will examine various job roles to determine what knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) are required to meet the needs of the current and future workforce and will construct accurate and valid job descriptions. Through IPC EDGE, we will work toward providing training for each job role and offer- ing a variety of educational opportunities for every individual to gain the competencies needed to take the next step in their career. We welcome your input and involvement in addressing the workforce needs of our indus- try. Please consider joining our JTA Commit- tee to help us identify and define job roles and provide feedback to the various subgroups that will branch out from the main committee. By participating in the committee, you will help us to ensure that the content we are creating is designed to meet specific industry needs. For further information on the JTA Commit- tee, please contact David Hernandez, IPC senior director of learning and professional develop- ment, at DavidHernandez@ipc.org. SMT007 References 1. The Skills Gap in U.S. Manufacturing. John Mitchell is president and CEO of IPC−Association Connecting Electronics Industries. To read past columns or to contact Mitchell, click here. Imec has partnered with EnergyVille to develop a highly efficient n-PERT (passivated emitter and rear totally diffused) solar cells using an industry-compatible screen- printing process. Together with Jolywood, imec devel- oped bifacial cells with an average front-side conversion efficiency of 21.9 percent. Based on this process, imec also demonstrated screen-printed monofacial n-PERT cells with a conversion efficiency up to 22.8 percent. The new bifacial cells use narrow printed silver (Ag) fingers on the front- side and printed aluminum (Al) fingers on the rear. Using Al instead of AgAl lowered the cost per cell to 0.01$/Wp, as well as reduced the recombination in the contact area by avoiding the typical spiking of AgAl contacts—allow- ing to optimize the emitter independently from the contact firing and giving an additional boost to the efficiency. On a batch of M2-sized cells, an average conversion efficiency of 21.9 percent was demonstrated, with the best cell topping 22.1 percent. These results were measured using an ISE CalLab calibrated reference cell, under stan- dard test conditions using a AAA-class WACOM solar simulator. Used in bifacial operations under standard front illumination conditions in conjunction with an additional 0.15 sun rear illumination, these cells can achieve an effective efficiency of 25 percent. Imec also fabricated screen-printed monofacial nPERT cells with efficien- cies up to 22.8 percent, which is a state- of-the-art result for an industry-compat- ible fabrication process. Imec Develops Screen-Printing Process for Highly Efficient n-PERT Solar Cells