In a further advancement towards the commercialisation of organic photovoltaics, Eight19 and Cambridge Enterprise, the University of Cambridge’s commercialisation group, have signed an intellectual property agreement.

Under the terms of the contract, which is designed to bring down the cost of flexible plastic solar cells, Eight19 has licensed core IP from Cambridge and acquires the right to exclusively license patents created by key researchers at the University in the growing field of plastic solar cells.

Dr Malcolm Grimshaw, Head of Physical Sciences at Cambridge Enterprise said, “We are pleased to announce the IP licensing arrangement in the field of organic photovoltaics with Eight19 Ltd, which will help to stimulate continuing collaboration between Eight19 and the University.”

Simon Bransfield-Garth, CEO of Eight19 added, “Eight19 was formed to build on the fundamental research work undertaken in the team of Professor Sir Richard Friend at the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge. This deal secures the forward relationship between the University and Eight19 and provides us with access to the work of some 50 top class researchers.  This first-class resource will strengthen Eight19’s technology development and commercialisation of next generation solar.”

The Eight19 team is pursuing a design-for-manufacture strategy that focuses on the unique attributes of printed plastic solar technology, combining both specific product performance characteristics and low cost of energy. 

Eight19 retains close links with Cambridge University’s Cavendish Laboratory, which is a world leader in plastic electronics technology. The company, which is located on the Cambridge Science Business Park, was formed in 2010 as a spin-out from the University of Cambridge, backed by a £4.5m investment from the Carbon Trust and leading international speciality chemicals company Rhodia.