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Optimizing the DSSC Fabrication Process using Lean Six Sigma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 June 2013

Brian Fauss ,
Lakshmi V. Munukutla ,
Laura Main ,
Gerald Polesky  and
Arunachalanadar M. Kannan
Brian Fauss
Affiliation:
Arizona State University, Department of Engineering Technology, 6075 S. Williams Campus Loop, TECH Building, Mesa, AZ 85212, U.S.A.
Lakshmi V. Munukutla
Affiliation:
Arizona State University, Department of Engineering Technology, 6075 S. Williams Campus Loop, TECH Building, Mesa, AZ 85212, U.S.A.
Laura Main
Affiliation:
Arizona State University, Department of Engineering Technology, 6075 S. Williams Campus Loop, TECH Building, Mesa, AZ 85212, U.S.A.
Gerald Polesky
Affiliation:
Arizona State University, Department of Engineering Technology, 6075 S. Williams Campus Loop, TECH Building, Mesa, AZ 85212, U.S.A.
Arunachalanadar M. Kannan
Affiliation:
Arizona State University, Department of Engineering Technology, 6075 S. Williams Campus Loop, TECH Building, Mesa, AZ 85212, U.S.A.
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Abstract

Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) belong to an innovative third generation photovoltaic technology, which is demonstrating tremendous potential to become a revolutionary technology due to recent breakthroughs in fabrication cost. A seven-step quality improvement method is implemented to enhance process efficiency and effectiveness of the DSSCs. Lean Manufacturing’s 5S method successfully increased efficiency in all of the processes. Six Sigma’s DMAIC methodology is used to identify and eliminate each of the root causes of defects in the critical titanium dioxide deposition process. These optimizations resulted with the following significant improvements in the production process: 1. fabrication time of the DSSCs is reduced by 54 %; 2. fabrication procedures improved to the extent eliminated all critical defects 3. The yield of good cells increased from 17% to 90%.

Keywords

sinteringabsorptionchemical reaction
Type
Articles
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1537: Symposium B – Organic and Hybrid Photovoltaic Materials and Devices , 2013 , mrss13-1537-b11-63
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2013 

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References

REFERENCES

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