State of Kentucky Awards $250K Matching Grant for Production Scaling

This $250k matching grant from the State of Kentucky will assist Bert Thin Films in scaling the production of the copper pastes for the silicon solar cell industry.

The Lane Report states: "In February 2019, 10 high-tech Kentucky companies were announced as recipients of $2.18 million in state matching funds to promote growth and job creation in high-paying research and technological fields, from disease research to water treatment. The Kentucky grants match in part the recently announced $5.1 million in federal grants the businesses will collectively receive.

The grants are part of the commonwealth’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Matching Funds program. The program, overseen by KY Innovation within the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, matches all or part of federal SBIR/STTR awards received by Kentucky-based companies or companies that commit to relocation in the state.

Three of those companies – Bert Thin Films of Louisville, Endoscopy Assist Devices of Louisville, and Liberate Medical of Crestwood – were among the high-tech winners."

NSF SBIR Phase II Award of $750K for Copper Paste Metallization

This $750k Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project aims to develop copper based pastes for the metallization of silicon solar cells. The outcomes of this proposal will be screen printable copper pastes that can be direct drop in replacement for the silver pastes; thereby enhancing the profit margins of the solar cell manufacturer.

Read the award abstract at NFS: SBIR Phase II: Low Cost Copper Contacts with Built in Barriers for Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells

State of Kentucky Funds $100K Commercial Feasibility Study

This $100k matching grant from the State of Kentucky will assist Bert Thin Films in testing the commercial feasibility of copper based metallization for the solar cell industry.

The Lane Report states: "To help these companies turn their research into reality, Gov. Steve Beshear this week announced that six high-tech businesses have been awarded a total of $1 million as part of a program to support and attract technology-based small businesses to Kentucky. ..."

“These Kentucky companies are developing products and technologies that will greatly enhance life as we know it,” said Gov. Beshear. “I’m pleased that we’re able to support these innovators who also are helping create high-paying jobs throughout the Commonwealth and encourage them to keep or locate their companies right here.”

The companies receiving awards in the first quarter of 2015 include: ... 

Bert Thin Films LLC (Jefferson County): Bert Thin Films is creating cost-saving copper-based ink to replace the silver metallization pastes used in silicon solar cells."