HeiQ, the technology firm based in Schlieren in the canton of Zurich, has achieved a breakthrough in the development of transparent, conductive coatings. HeiQ ECOS is a patented technology featuring the use of silver wire that can be applied to practically any surface.
A new generation of HeiQ ECOS coatings were used as transparent electrodes in semi-transparent printed photovoltaic modules as part of a recent innovation project between HeiQ, the German technology company Enerthing and the University of Erlangen–Nuremberg (FAU). An excellent performance was achieved, the press release explains. The technology is now set to be presented at the European Coatings Show 2023 (March 28-30) in Nuremberg, Germany.
In the printed solar modules, HeiQ ECOS was used as the top and bottom electrodes, which goes well beyond the state of the art. Enerthing plans to implement the technology in an indoor photovoltaic technology that also works with artificial light and serves as an energy source for sensors.
Based on the most recent technological breakthroughs, HeiQ ECOS coatings are now fully transparent and strongly conductive, the press release explains in relation to the new technology. When applied to windows and other surfaces, the HeiQ ECOS coatings can be used to cut heating costs in winter and cooling costs in summer. With just 10 grams of silver wire sufficient to coat an area of more than 200 square meters, HeiQ ECOS has the added benefit of being resource-efficient as well.
HeiQ, a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH), is headquartered at the IJZ, an innovation and start-up park located in Schlieren. The company is also a member of Start Smart Schlieren. gba