Particulate silicon photovoltaic device and method of making

Patent · Tue Apr 30 04:00:00 EDT 1985

OSTI ID:5349202

Bartlett, R W

An inexpensive photovoltaic device made using particulate silicon is described. Silicon particles of a particular type having a size range of from 300 to 1000 micrometers are sintered to a metallic substrate to form an ohmic contact therebetween. The particles and the substrate are provided with an insulating layer except for the top surfaces of the silicon particles, to which a layer of the opposite type is applied to form p-n junctions in the particles. A second electrode is then applied either directly or, preferably, via a first application of a transparent conductive coating. The device is then, preferably, covered with a light transparent member to provide a hermetic seal.

• Assignee: SRI International
• Patent Number(s): US 4514580
• OSTI ID: 5349202
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
COATINGS
DEPOSITION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRODES
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
FABRICATION
JUNCTIONS
OPACITY
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
P-N JUNCTIONS
PARTICLE SIZE
PARTICLES
PARTICULATES
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SEMICONDUCTOR JUNCTIONS
SEMIMETALS
SILICON
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
SINTERING
SIZE
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SUBSTRATES
SURFACE COATING