Metal matrix composites for contacts on solar cells
AssigneeUNM Rainforest Innovations
InventorsSang M. Han, Omar Abudayyeh, David Wilt, Nathan Gapp
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Abstract
A method for forming electrical contacts for a solar cell and a solar cell formed using the method is provided. The method includes forming a first metal layer over predefined portions of a surface of the solar cell; depositing a carbon nanotube layer over the first metal layer; and forming a second metal layer over the carbon nanotube layer, wherein the first metal layer, the carbon nanotube layer, and the second metal layer form a first metal matrix composite layer that provides electrical conductivity and mechanical support for the metal contacts.
Claims19
A method for forming electrical contacts for a solar cell, the method comprising:
- forming a first metal layer over predefined portions of a sun exposed major surface of the solar cell for forming the electrical contacts for gridlines of the solar cell;
- depositing a network of carbon nanotubes over the first metal layer;
- and
- depositing a second metal layer onto the network of carbon nanotubes, wherein the second metal layer infiltrates the network of carbon nanotubes to connect with the first metal layer to form a first metal matrix composite comprising a metal matrix and a carbon nanotube reinforcement, wherein the second metal layer is an electrically conductive layer in which the carbon nanotube reinforcement is embedded in and bonded to the metal matrix, and the first metal matrix composite provides enhanced mechanical support, and enhanced or equal electrical conductivity for the electrical contacts against applied mechanical stressors to the electrical contacts.
A method for forming electrical contacts for a solar cell, the method comprising:
- forming a first metal layer over predefined portions of a surface of the solar cell;
- forming a network of carbon nanotubes over the first metal layer;
- and
- infiltrating a second metal into the network of carbon nanotubes to form a metal matrix composite comprising a metal matrix and a carbon nanotube reinforcement, wherein the metal matrix connects with the first metal layer, wherein the metal matrix composite is an electrically conductive layer in which the carbon nanotube reinforcement is embedded in and bonded to the metal matrix, and the metal matrix composite provides enhanced mechanical support, and enhanced or equal electrical conductivity for the electrical contacts against applied mechanical stressors to the electrical contacts.
A method for forming electrical contacts for a solar cell, the method comprising:
- forming a first metal layer over predefined portions of a surface of the solar cell;
- depositing a network of carbon nanotubes over the first metal layer;
- and
- depositing a second metal layer onto the network of carbon nanotubes, wherein the second metal layer infiltrates the network of carbon nanotubes to connect with the first metal layer to form a metal matrix composite comprising a metal matrix and a carbon nanotube reinforcement, wherein the second metal layer is an electrically conductive layer in which the carbon nanotube reinforcement is embedded in and bonded to the metal matrix, and the metal matrix composite provides enhanced mechanical support, and enhanced or equal electrical conductivity for the electrical contacts against applied mechanical stressors to the electrical contacts,
- wherein the network of carbon nanotubes cover an area of a top surface of the first metal layer coverage ranging from 12% to 86% of the top surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.