Solar Cells Incorporating FeOx Thin-Films
AssigneeBlue Origin, LLC
InventorsJeong Chul Lee, Jean Choung, Alexander Imbault, Jonathan Grandidier
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Abstract
A solar cell that incorporates a thin layer of iron oxide (FeOx), and a number of techniques for fabricating the solar cell, are presented. The thin layer of iron oxide, which may be derived from lunar regolith, may be the emitter of the solar cell. The solar cell may be a silicon hetero-junction (HJ) solar cell. The FeOx may be present in place of amorphous silicon (a-Si:H), MoOx, or various organic materials, for example. An emitter comprising FeOx may be beneficial for solar cell fabrication on the moon.
Claims21
A silicon hetero-junction solar cell comprising:
- a silicon substrate;
- and
- an emitter comprising an iron oxide (FeOx) thin film layer deposited on the silicon substrate.
8-14. (canceled)
A silicon hetero-junction solar cell comprising:
- a silicon substrate;
- a thin film emitter layer comprising lunar regolith-derived iron oxide (FeOx) deposited on the silicon substrate;
- an at least partially transparent conductive layer on the thin film emitter layer;
- and
- electrical contacts attached to the at least partially transparent conductive layer.
A solar cell comprising:
- a silicon substrate;
- a thin film emitter layer comprising iron oxide, the thin film emitter layer disposed on the silicon substrate;
- an indium tin oxide (ITO) layer deposited on the thin film emitter layer;
- and
- electrical contacts attached to the ITO layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.