Abstract:
A concentrated photovoltaic and display apparatus includes a backplane substrate, a plurality of photovoltaic elements distributed over the backplane substrate, a plurality of display elements distributed over the backplane substrate between the photovoltaic elements, and an optical element positioned over the backplane substrate, the photovoltaic elements, and the display elements. The optical element is configured to concentrate incident light propagating in a direction substantially parallel to an optical axis thereof onto the photovoltaic elements. The optical element is further configured to direct light reflected or emitted from the display elements in a direction that is not substantially parallel to the optical axis of the optical element. Related fabrication methods and arrays including the apparatus are also discussed.
Abstract:
Coating a machined mold with a flowable, hardenable polymer coating produces an optically-smooth finish and maintains sharpness in upward-pointing features. These procedures produce molds for highly efficient plano-convex silicone-on-glass lens arrays in a fast and inexpensive manner in which an end-mill defines the shape of a lens, and the coating produces its smoothness. End-mill machining and coating lens-shaped features in plates that have movable pins produce molds with eject features disposed inside features that form templates for lens elements without significantly reducing optical performance. Additionally, machining and coating plates that have movable inserts produce molds for lens arrays with reduced volume and one or several rings in each lens element.
Abstract:
CPV modules include a back plate having an array of 1mm2 or smaller solar cells thereon. A backplane interconnect network is also provided on the back plate. This backplane interconnect network operates to electrically connect the array of solar cells together. A front plate, which is spaced-apart from the back plate, is provided. This front plate includes an array of primary lenses thereon that face the array of solar cells. The front plate can be configured to provide a greater than 1000X lens-to-cell light concentration to the array of solar cells. To achieve this 1000X lens-to-cell light concentration, the primary lenses can be configured as plano-convex lenses having a lens sag of less than about 4 mm. An array of secondary optical elements may also be provided, which extend between the array of primary lenses and the array of solar cells.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a high yield pathway for the fabrication, transfer and assembly of high quality printable semiconductor elements having selected physical dimensions, shapes, compositions and spatial orientations. The compositions and methods of the present invention provide high precision registered transfer and integration of arrays of microsized and/or nanosized semiconductor structures onto substrates, including large area substrates and/or flexible substrates. In addition, the present invention provides methods of making printable semiconductor elements from low cost bulk materials, such as bulk silicon wafers, and smart-materials processing strategies that enable a versatile and commercially attractive printing-based fabrication platform for making a broad range of functional semiconductor devices.
Abstract:
Provided are methods for making a device or device component by providing a multilayer structure having a plurality of functional layers and a plurality of release layers and releasing the functional layers from the multilayer structure by separating one or more of the release layers to generate a plurality of transferable structures. The transferable structures are printed onto a device substrate or device component supported by a device substrate. The methods and systems provide means for making high-quality and low-cost photovoltaic devices, transferable semiconductor structures, (opto-)electronic devices and device components.
Abstract:
A method of fabricating transferable semiconductor devices includes providing a release layer including indium aluminum phosphide on a substrate, and providing a support layer on the release layer. The support layer and the substrate include respective materials, such as arsenide-based materials, such that the release layer has an etching selectivity relative to the support layer and the substrate. At least one device layer is provided on the support layer. The release layer is selectively etched without substantially etching the support layer and the substrate. Related structures and methods are also discussed.
Abstract:
Coating a machined mold with a flowable, hardenable polymer coating produces an optically-smooth finish and maintains sharpness in upward-pointing features. These procedures produce molds for highly efficient plano-convex silicone-on-glass lens arrays in a fast and inexpensive manner in which an end-mill defines the shape of a lens, and the coating produces its smoothness. End-mill machining and coating lens-shaped features in plates that have movable pins produce molds with eject features disposed inside features that form templates for lens elements without significantly reducing optical performance. Additionally, machining and coating plates that have movable inserts produce molds for lens arrays with reduced volume and one or several rings in each lens element.
Abstract:
An active component array includes a target substrate having one or more contacts formed on a side of the target substrate, and one or more printable active components distributed over the target substrate. Each active component includes an active layer having a top side and an opposing bottom side and one or more active element(s) formed on or in the top side of the active layer. The active element(s) are electrically connected to the contact(s), and the bottom side is adhered to the target substrate. Related fabrication methods are also discussed.
Abstract:
The present invention provides optical devices and systems fabricated, at least in part, via printing-based assembly and integration of device components Optical systems of the present invention comprise semiconductor elements assembled, organized and/or integrated with other device components via printing techniques that exhibit performance characteristics and functionality comparable to 10 single crystalline semiconductor based devices fabricated using conventional high temperature processing methods Optical systems of the present invention have device geometries and configurations, such as form factors, component densities, and component positions, accessed by printing that provide a range of useful device functionalities.
Abstract:
In an aspect, the present invention provides stretchable, and optionally printable, components such as semiconductors and electronic circuits capable of providing good performance when stretched, compressed, flexed or otherwise deformed, and related methods of making or tuning such stretchable components. Stretchable semiconductors and electronic circuits preferred for some applications are flexible, in addition to being stretchable, and thus are capable of significant elongation, flexing, bending or other deformation along one or more axes. Further, stretchable semiconductors and electronic circuits of the present invention are adapted to a wide range of device configurations to provide fully flexible electronic and optoelectronic devices.