Two- and three-dimensional folding of thin film single-crystalline silicon for photovoltaic power applications

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009 Dec 1;106(48):20149-54. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0907390106. Epub 2009 Nov 23.

Abstract

Fabrication of 3D electronic structures in the micrometer-to-millimeter range is extremely challenging due to the inherently 2D nature of most conventional wafer-based fabrication methods. Self-assembly, and the related method of self-folding of planar patterned membranes, provide a promising means to solve this problem. Here, we investigate self-assembly processes driven by wetting interactions to shape the contour of a functional, nonplanar photovoltaic (PV) device. A mechanics model based on the theory of thin plates is developed to identify the critical conditions for self-folding of different 2D geometrical shapes. This strategy is demonstrated for specifically designed millimeter-scale silicon objects, which are self-assembled into spherical, and other 3D shapes and integrated into fully functional light-trapping PV devices. The resulting 3D devices offer a promising way to efficiently harvest solar energy in thin cells using concentrator microarrays that function without active light tracking systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Electrochemistry / instrumentation*
  • Electrochemistry / methods
  • Photochemistry / instrumentation*
  • Photochemistry / methods
  • Silicon / chemistry*
  • Solar Energy*

Substances

  • Silicon