The field of additive manufacturing (AM) technology is advancing rapidly, with processes becoming more versatile, stable, accurate and economical at a steady pace. Advantages of AM compared to traditional manufacturing methods include the large geometrical freedom it offers to designers, combined wi...

The present work presents a 3D thermo-mechanical model and its application to the casting of square multi-crystalline silicon ingots. Stresses and deformations in the ingot are the results of the combined effects of thermal contractions and mechanical loads induced by the ingot-crucible interaction....

Silicon nitride is a promising crucible material for directional solidification of multi-crystalline silicon ingots. In contrast to standard quartz crucibles, which can only be used once, crucibles made of silicon nitride have the potential of being used several times and thereby reduce production c...