Sofab Inks develops and produces advanced materials for perovskite solar cells. The company's flagship product is a solvent-based tin oxide ETL that has already seen promising results in improving the performance and lifespan of
perovskite solar cells. We interviewed the company's CEO Blake Martin and COO Jack Manzella, who help us understand the company's materials and business better. Click here to contact Sofab Inks to learn more or request a material sample.
Hello Blake and Jack. Earlier this year, Sofab Inks launched Tinfab, a high-performance and low-cost ETL material for perovskite solar cells. Can you detail the market reaction for your new material, and also the performance benefits that one can expect from this new ETL?
Since launching Tinfab, we’ve experienced significant interest across the industry, with approximately 40 companies and universities currently testing the material in perovskite solar cell applications. This strong engagement underscores the market's demand for innovative, scalable ETL solutions.
Tinfab is designed to fully replace C60/fullerenes in perovskite solar cells, addressing key limitations of C60, including lower stability, higher costs, and the complexity of vacuum deposition. Unlike C60, Tinfab can be solution-deposited in ambient environments, making it far more suitable for scalable manufacturing.
One of Tinfab’s standout features is its ability to be selectively doped, enabling precise tuning of energy band alignment to suit each manufacturer’s unique perovskite architecture. This flexibility, which is unmatched by competitors, allows manufacturers to tailor the material for their specific applications, reducing production costs and simplifying the transition from lab-scale to commercial manufacturing.
Early feedback from our collaborators and customers has been overwhelmingly positive. Our in-house testing has confirmed a solid 20% power conversion efficiency (PCE) on flexible substrates, and results from ongoing collaborations with industry leaders and academic institutions have surpassed this benchmark. Additionally, Tinfab demonstrates superior durability compared to C60, resisting
degradation and offering more stable, long-lasting performance.
The enthusiastic market response reflects the increasing need for highly durable, scalable ETL materials. With itsadvanced capabilities and manufacturability, Tinfab is poised to play a leading role in driving the commercialization of perovskite solar technology.
Read the full interview here
