Free-standing metallic article for semiconductors

A method for forming a photovoltaic cell, the method comprising the steps of:

• i) electroforming a metallic article on an electrically conductive mandrel, wherein the electrically conductive mandrel has an outer surface comprising at least one preformed pattern, wherein the metallic article comprises a plurality of substantially parallel first segments intersecting a plurality of substantially parallel second segments, wherein the plurality of substantially parallel first segments and the plurality of substantially parallel second segments have a height and a width, wherein the ratio of the height to the width defines an aspect ratio, and wherein a majority of the plurality of substantially parallel first segments and the plurality of substantially parallel second segments have an aspect ratio greater than 1;
• ii) removing the metallic article from the electrically conductive mandrel, wherein the removed metallic article is a free-standing metallic article;
• iii) electrically coupling the free-standing metallic article with a semiconductor material;
• and
• iv) forming the photovoltaic cell from the semiconductor material and the free-standing metallic article.