Gosan Tech Co., Ltd., a South Korea-based industrial inkjet technology company with a decade of experience supplying patterning and coating equipment to the OLED display industry, has introduced a new line of inkjet printers designed for manufacturers of perovskite solar photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules. The company’s CEO, Kwangsoo Kim, revealed that since 2019, Gosan Tech has been developing inkjet processes and equipment specifically for producing perovskite solar cells, resulting in the delivery of inkjet equipment to several Korean perovskite PV manufacturers.
The company’s proprietary inkjet coating and patterning tool, Merak 360-PSC, enables the fabrication of perovskite thin films, hole transport layers (HTL), and electron transport layers (ETL) on both rigid glass and flexible PET films. The latest model is capable of handling large-area perovskite panels measuring 1,100 x 1,300 mm. “This platform represents a significant step beyond pilot-scale R&D and highlights our readiness for industrial-scale module production,” Kim explained.
Key Features of Merak 360-PSC
- Supports multi-layer processing within a single tool
- Enables layer-by-layer deposition
- Allows precise modulation and control of solar cell design, performance, and material utilization
Gosan Tech’s initial focus on inkjet systems for OLED displays drove the development of advanced technologies, including an ink supply system, pressure control technology, and simulation technology. These advancements have reportedly resulted in “excellent ink droplet uniformity” and a high degree of precision. The company has also developed the capacity to manufacture its own perovskite solar modules, having established a pilot-scale R&D line for producing 370 mm x 470 mm modules. The first large-sized modules are expected to be produced by Q4 this year.
The company is currently focusing on improving the stability and durability of its modules while awaiting verified data on power conversion efficiency by the end of the year. To facilitate the next phase of growth, Gosan Tech recently secured an investment from a corporate venture fund backed by Seiko Epson Corporation and Epson X Investment Corporation. As part of this collaboration, Epson will supply Gosan Tech with reliable and precise printheads suitable for industrial applications and provide support for business growth through its Korean subsidiary, Epson Korea Co. Ltd.
“Through our collaboration with Epson, we can utilize inkjet printheads optimized for perovskite manufacturing, allowing us to target both cost-effectiveness and high productivity,” Kim stated. The partnership is expected to strengthen Gosan Tech’s product portfolio beyond displays and perovskite solar PV to include biomedical applications such as drug deposition, tissue engineering, and diagnostics.
Epson has also expressed its commitment to developing new printhead markets by forming partnerships to enhance sales and provision of printhead solutions, including peripheral technology. This strategic collaboration is poised to drive innovation in the industrial inkjet technology sector.
