Metal matrix composites for contacts on solar cells
AssigneeStc.Unm
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.
Claims20
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 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.
A solar cell comprising:
- a substrate;
- and
- a metal matrix composite layer formed on a top surface of the substrate and configured to provide electrical conductivity and mechanical reinforcement for the metal contacts, wherein the metal matrix composite layer comprises a first metal layer formed on the top surface of the substrate, a carbon nanotube layer formed over the first metal layer, and a second metal layer formed over the carbon nanotube layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.