futr, even Tom sounded excited!
Imagine, speeding up the A/R coating process by 10 times. OSU did it. Tom thought that the original time frame was 2 hours. He wasn't sure though. He said that he would email me the data.
Tom also stated that Natcore China will probably start by supplying Chuangke Silicon LTD with equipment and chemicals. CS LTD would then manually produce 1,000 to 2,000 panels ensuring that the A/R coating is what it should be in a mass production run. Subsequently, 1,000 to 2,000 panels will be run with the automatic replenishment system, and checked for proper coating. Then, potential customers will have confidence in the proceedure.
CK LTD is already committed to using the A/R process for their panels.
According to Tom, upon committing to enter the solar manufacturing business, BASF identified 150 solar technology companies. After they had phone conversations with these companies and did their dd, they narrowed the field of companies to six. BASF has now invited the six to present their technology. Hopefully, Natcore will prevail. Possibly more than one company out of the six will be successful. Who knows what kind of tech the other five are presenting. Considering all of the chemicals Natcore will need, a BASF/Natcore deal would seem to make sense.
Tom said that he can't even tell me how many calls he gets regarding Natcore's products (it's too many to keep track of).
Kodak's approach has been to secure a government matching grant for the development of the flexable roll to roll coating, and that's fine according to Tom. However, the government can drag their feet. I got the feeling that Natcore may be more interested in a J/V or partnership with a company that funds the deal themselves.
The two insiders that have sold shares, (Meekison and Calhoun) both have companies to run. According to Tom, they are less active in Natcore now. Tom said that they have only sold a small percentage of their holdings.
I like what I heard from Tom today.
JB
