The ARC technology to be developed in the proposed program will be applicable to the generation of multi-junction solar cells currently in use and to the novel solar cell designs currently under development. It will therefore have application in all current solar-powered NASA space missions and in forthcoming projects such as solar electric propulsion (SEP). The technology will also increase the efficiency of solar cells that are used to extend the duration of electrically powered unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The ARC technology is also applicable to the epitaxial lift-off (ELO) solar cell technology under development by MicroLink. It will therefore be possible to combine the increased efficiency enabled by the new ARC technology with the lightweight, flexible, reduced-cost ELO solar cells. The ARC technology to be developed in the proposed program will be applicable to the multi-junction, Ge-based solar cells currently in use in commercial and military applications. Similarly, the technology can be used to enhance the efficiency of solar cells for UAV applications and for terrestrial applications. The ARC technology is also applicable to the epitaxial lift-off (ELO) solar cell technology under development by MicroLink. It will therefore be possible to combine the increased efficiency enabled by the new ARC technology with the lightweight, flexible, reduced-cost ELO solar cells.
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