Free-standing two-sided device fabrication

US8579434B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• University of Washington through its Center for Commercialization · US

Inventors

• Babak Amirparviz · Mountain View, US
• Andrew R. Lingley · Seattle, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 20, 2011
• Grant date: Nov 12, 2013
• Expiry date: Jan 18, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/547
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Solar cells attached to a contact lens are provided, as well as methods for making the solar cells and contact lenses. The solar cells have electrodes on only one side of the device, which facilitates attachment of the solar cell to a contact lens. In one embodiment, the solar cells are made using a “two sided” process. By using the two-sided process, solar cells of only a few microns in thickness can be fabricated. Such relatively thin solar cells can be incorporated into a contact lens without discomfort to the wearer. By providing an infinitely renewable power source on a contact lens, the solar cells enable the use of electronic components on the contact lens while eliminating the recharging or replacing issues that arise with batteries.