Process Technology receives Ohio Third Frontier Award

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Process Technology, in collaboration with Cleveland State and Ohio State Universities, intends to bring a product to market specifically designed for the demands of the photovoltaic industry. The proposed product is an ultrapure, low cost, intrinsically safe inline chemical/water heater utilizing PTC (positive temperature coefficient) technology.

The intent of this product is to provide cost effective performance for a wide variety of applications in the solar cell industry. According to Joel Rozga, Engineering Manager of Process Technology: "The photovoltaic industry currently utilizes a wide variety of wet chemical processes that play a key role in solar cell manufacturing. These include wet chemistries such as deionized water, solvents, surfactants, acids, and alkalis.

"One of the main factors for the photovoltaic industry going forward will be the ability to produce high performance devices at low cost. Process Technology currently produces a number of heating and cooling products that have been specifically designed for similar markets and intend to expand our product line to include an ideal product specifically dedicated for a variety of photovoltaic applications.

"We will utilize grant funding from the Third Frontier Photovoltaics Program to assist in the design and development of said product for photovoltaic applications which will help create and retain jobs in Northeast Ohio.

"Process Technology believes that a solid photovoltaic foundation for Ohio should not only include the producers of the solar panels themselves, but it should also include the original equipment manufacturers whose innovation will support the development and enhancements of solar cell manufacturing. This is not just a philosophy of Process Technology.

"According to a white paper written by the PV Group, it states, ‘regardless of which solar technology takes us to eventual grid parity, a common characteristic to the perfect photovoltaic industry will be the expertise of processing equipment manufacturers, material suppliers, automation experts, and other essential manufacturing and development providers’ (PVGroup, 2008)."

Process Technology, established in 1978, is a manufacturer of electric immersion heaters, heat exchangers, in-line heaters and temperature and level controls serving a variety of industries including semiconductor, metal finishing, aquaculture, printed circuit board, cleaning technologies, MEMS, FPD and photovoltaic.

For further information regarding this program, please contact Joel Rozga, Engineering Manager, at 440-974-1300 or via email at jrozga@process-technology.com For further editorial information, please contact Christine L. Venaleck, Director of Advertising, at 440-974-1300 or e-mail at cvenaleck@process-technology.com

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20110128/FREE/110129801#