Abstract: The present invention relates to the purification of silicon. The present invention provides a method for purification of silicon. The method includes recrystallizing starting material-silicon from a molten solvent comprising aluminum to provide final recrystallized-silicon crystals. The method also includes washing the final recrystallized-silicon crystals with an aqueous acid solution to provide a final acid-washed-silicon. The method also includes directionally solidifying the final acid-washed-silicon to provide final directionally solidified-silicon crystals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of purifying aluminum, and/or use of the purified aluminum as a solvent metal to purify silicon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of purifying aluminum, and/or use of the purified aluminum as a solvent metal to purify silicon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the purification of silicon. The present invention provides a method for purification of silicon. The method includes recrystallizing starting material-silicon from a molten solvent comprising aluminum to provide final recrystallized-silicon crystals. The method also includes washing the final recrystallized-silicon crystals with an aqueous acid solution to provide a final acid-washed-silicon. The method also includes directionally solidifying the final acid-washed-silicon to provide final directionally solidified-silicon crystals.

Abstract: A method that includes: (a) forming a molten liquid from a solvent metal, silicon, and an alkali magnesium halide; (b) cooling the molten liquid to provide silicon crystals and a mother liquor; and (c) separating the silicon crystals from the mother liquor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for purifying materials using a rapid directional solidification. Devices and methods shown provide control over a temperature gradient and cooling rate during directional solidification, which results in a material of higher purity. The apparatus and methods of the present invention can be used to make silicon material for use in solar applications such as solar cells.

Abstract: Cover flux devices and methods are shown. Methods and devices are shown such that, as a solidification front moves from a cooling surface of a mold towards a surface of molten silicon substantially opposite the cooling surface, impurities are driven out of the solid silicon and into the liquid to react with a flux layer on the silicon.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a flux composition, and the use thereof in a directional solidification for the purification of silicon.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a flux composition, and the use thereof in a directional solidification for the purification of silicon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for purifying materials using a rapid directional solidification. Devices and methods shown provide control over a temperature gradient and cooling rate during directional solidification, which results in a material of higher purity. The apparatus and methods of the present invention can be used to make silicon material for use in solar applications such as solar cells.

Abstract: A method that includes: (a) forming a molten liquid from a solvent metal, silicon, and an alkali magnesium halide; (b) cooling the molten liquid to provide silicon crystals and a mother liquor; and (c) separating the silicon crystals from the mother liquor.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a flux composition, and the use thereof in a directional solidification for the purification of silicon.

Abstract: Cover flux devices and methods are shown. Methods and devices are shown such that, as a solidification front moves from a cooling surface of a mold towards a surface of molten silicon substantially opposite the cooling surface, impurities are driven out of the solid silicon and into the liquid to react with a flux layer on the silicon.

Abstract: A method comprises forming molten silicon (206) in a crucible (202), forming a solidified silicon (208) at a top portion of the molten silicon (206), contacting the solidified silicon (208) with glass (210), heating the solidified silicon (208) and the glass (210), sufficient to melt the solidified silicon and the glass, to provide a molten glass (212) on the molten silicon (206), and allowing the molten liquid to directionally solidify, from the bottom portion of the molten liquid toward the top portion of the molten liquid, to provide solid silicon (214) with a higher purity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for purifying an inorganic compound, in particular calcium fluoride. The method includes contacting (e.g., washing) the inorganic compound with an aqueous solution, in particular hydrochloric acid.

Abstract: A crucible for molten silicon comprises at least one refractory material having an inner surface and a lining deposited onto the inner surface, the lining comprising colloidal silica. A method for silicon purification comprises melting a first silicon in an interior of a melting crucible to provide a first molten silicon, the melting crucible comprising a first refractory material having at least one first inner surface defining the melting crucible interior, directionally solidifying the first molten silicon in a directional solidification mold to provide a second silicon, the directional solidification mold comprising a second refractory material having at least one second inner surface defining a mold interior, and coating at least a portion of at least one of the first inner surface and the second inner surface with a lining comprising colloidal silica.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of purifying aluminum, and/or use of the purified aluminum as a solvent metal to purify silicon.

Abstract: A crucible for containing molten silicon comprises at least one refractory material having at least one inner surface defining an interior for receiving a molten silicon mixture, and a lining deposited onto the inner surface, the lining comprising colloidal alumina. A method for silicon purification comprises contacting a first silicon with a solvent metal comprising aluminum, sufficient to provide a first mixture, melting the first mixture in an interior of a melting crucible to provide a molten silicon mixture, the melting crucible comprising at least one refractory material having an inner surface defining the interior of the melting crucible, coating at least a portion of the inner surface of the melting crucible with a lining comprising colloidal alumina prior to melting first mixture, cooling the molten silicon mixture, sufficient to form recrystallized silicon crystals and a mother liquor, and separating the final recrystallized silicon crystals and the mother liquor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the purification of silicon. The present invention provides a method for purification of silicon. The method includes recrystallizing starting material-silicon from a molten solvent comprising aluminum to provide final recrystallized-silicon crystals. The method also includes washing the final recrystallized-silicon crystals with an aqueous acid solution to provide a final acid-washed-silicon. The method also includes directionally solidifying the final acid-washed-silicon to provide final directionally solidified-silicon crystals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of purifying a material using a metallic solvent. The present invention includes a method of purifying silicon utilizing a cascade process. In a cascade process, as the silicon moves through the purification process, it contacts increasingly pure solvent metal that is moving through the process in an opposite direction.