CNR-IMA3

By /

CNR – DiaTHEMA Labs of ISM

TA20 – CNR-IMA3 

Location

Via Salaria km 29.300

00015 Monterotondo Scalo,  Italy 

Description

ISM Diathema labs are in the CNR Research Area Rome 1 in Montelibretti, close to Rome. The infrastructure of ISM enables the complete manufacturing chain of thin-film devices for the required technologies, including synthesis of thin films, characterisation, and prototyping. Engineered functional coatings for several applications (particularly for harsh environments) can be produced and optimised surfaces with unique techniques (e.g., scanning probe microscopy, tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, photo-thermionic measurements up to 2000 °C) can be characterised. ISM Diathema laboratories offer the possibility to complete the production chain from material fabrication to prototype demonstration for innovative solar and optoelectronic devices operating at high temperature and/or in harsh environments.

Testing Capabilities

ISM Diathema lab’s expertise is oriented towards the fabrication and the testing of solid-state components for ultra-high temperature systems, such as converters for CSP plants (above all, solar tower and solar dishes). In particular, ISM offers experience in the development of thermal-to-electric energy converters, processing of solar absorbers and management and conversion of thermal fluxes for concentrated solar radiation systems and waste heat sources. Pioneering papers have been published in recent years, such as:

  • “Solar Thermionic-Thermoelectric Generator (ST2G): concept, material and prototype demonstration” (D. M. Trucchi, A. Bellucci, M. Girolami, P. Calvani, E. Cappelli, S.   Orlando, R. Polini, L. Silvestroni, D. Sciti, A. Kribus, Advanced Energy Materials 8, 32, 1802310, 2018).
  • "Photovoltaic anodes for enhanced thermionic energy conversion” (A. Bellucci, M. Mastellone, V. Serpente, M. Girolami, S. Kaciulis, A. Mezzi, D.M. Trucchi, E. Antolin, J. Villa, P. García-Linares, A. Martí, A. Datas, ACS Energy Letters 5, 1364-1370, 2020).

The recognised work in this field allowed for the establishment of an international network collaborating on the topic, including Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (Spain), Tel Aviv University (Israel), CERTH (Greece) and The Cyprus Institute (Cyprus).

Technical Equipment

  • Synthesis of materials:
    1. Nanosecond Pulsed Laser Deposition
    2. RF magnetron sputtering
    3. Electron-beam evaporation
    4. Chemical Vapour Deposition assisted by Microwave (MW-CVD) and Hot-Filament (HF-CVD) for carbon-based material films production
  • Characterisation of materials/devices:
    1. Raman Spectroscopy and Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
    2. Scanning Probe Microscopy (AFM, KPFM, etc.)
    3. VTEC – Vacuum & Temperature Electronic Characterisation (current-to-voltage measurements from RT to 600 °C, thermionic emission measurements up to 1800 °C, Spectral photoconductivity measurements (180 – 1100 nm) from RT to 600 °C, Spectral photoemission measurements (180 – 1100 nm) from RT to 600 °C)
    4. Solar Furnace (up to 1000 suns on 1 cm2)
  • Prototyping:
    1. Metallisation for electrical contact
    2. Wire bonding of microdevices
  • Mechanical workshop

Additional information

Technology Readiness Level: 4-6

Special considerations: N/A 

Technology clusters: CSP/STE, Information and Communication Technologies, Materials for Energy, PV

Website: http://diathema.ism.cnr.it/it/chi-siamo/strumentazione.html

Availability: All year

Provision of tools to prepare data sets in a FAIR way:  Yes 

Gallery

Contact us


Scroll to Top