Flexible photovoltaic cells having a polyimide material layer and method of producing same

US8519435B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The University of Toledo · US

Inventors

• Anthony Vasko · Toledo, US
• Kristopher Allen Wieland · Corning, US
• James K. Walker · Gainesville, US
• Alvin D. Compaan · Maumee, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 8, 2010
• Grant date: Aug 27, 2013
• Expiry date: Jun 8, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P70/50

Abstract

A photovoltaic cell is fabricated onto a polyimide film using an unbalanced RF magnetron sputtering process. The sputtering process includes the addition of 0.05% to 0.5% oxygen to an inert gas stream. Portions of the photovoltaic cell are exposed to an elevated temperature CdCl2 treatment which is at or below the glass transition temperature of the polyimide film.