U.S. again improve solar cells
In this paper, "Ultrathin silicon solar microcells for semitransparent, mechanically flexible and microconcentrator module designs" by American scientists proposed a method for producing ultra-thin, flexible, translucent solar cells based on monocrystalline silicon.
Etching of the original silicon wafer with a subsequent doping were obtained solar cells, which are further method of transfer printing (transfer printing) were transferred to a flexible polymer substrate. Printing was performed on specially designed apparatus, which positions the image with an accuracy of one micron. Visual control of the process was carried out using an optical microscope. Ready-made solar panels are thin films of thickness less than 100 microns. Individual solar cells have a thickness of about 100 nm and lateral dimensions 0,1 × 1,5 mm.
In the process of synthesis is possible to control the distance between the individual elements in a polymer matrix. This allows to obtain solar cells with different light transmission.
This design allows you to place solar panels instead of windows. New solar plate is easily bend and roll into rolls without loss of functional properties. This simplifies transportation and installation. Convenient and low-cost technology transfer printing solar cells can reduce the cost and increase the productivity of the synthesis process.