Glass Substrate for Space Solar Power with TiO2 UV Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solarization occurs in solar cells due to discoloration of cover glasses exposed to ultraviolet light, reducing solar light intensity and power generation efficiency, and the thinning of glass substrates increases ultraviolet light transmittance, accelerating resin deterioration in space applications.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating TiO2 or CeO2 into the glass composition of solar power generation substrates, with specific mass percentages and ratios, to reduce ultraviolet light transmittance and prevent solarization while maintaining high solar light transmission and mechanical strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the glass substrate is thinned to reduce weight for space launch, then weight is reduced, but ultraviolet light transmittance increases, accelerating resin deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the glass substrate by incorporating specific amounts of TiO2 (0.001-10 mass%) and CeO2 (0.001-10 mass%) to modify its optical properties. This allows the glass to maintain appropriate UV transmittance even when thinned to 0.2mm or less, resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and UV protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite glass material by combining multiple components including SiO2, Al2O3, B2O3, and rare earth oxides (TiO2, CeO2). This composite structure provides both the mechanical strength needed for thin substrates and the UV filtering properties required to protect the resin, achieving both weight reduction and UV protection.
2Weight of moving object
If the glass substrate is thinned to reduce weight for space launch, then weight is reduced, but mechanical strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a composite glass composition containing SiO2 (50-80%), Al2O3 (3-25%), B2O3 (0-20%), and various metal oxides. This multi-component composite provides enhanced mechanical strength that enables the glass to be thinned to 0.2mm or less while maintaining sufficient structural integrity for space applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the compositional parameters of the glass, specifically controlling the ratios of network formers (SiO2, B2O3) and network modifiers (Al2O3, metal oxides) to achieve a balance between mechanical strength and processability, allowing thin substrate fabrication without compromising strength.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If TiO2 or CeO2 is introduced into glass composition to suppress solarization and UV transmittance, then solarization and resin deterioration are suppressed, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes specific parameter ranges for TiO2 (0.001-10 mass%) and CeO2 (0.001-10 mass%) content in the glass composition. By defining these quantitative parameters, the patent simplifies the manufacturing process while ensuring effective UV suppression and solarization prevention, balancing performance improvement with manufacturing feasibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The introduction of TiO2 or CeO2 in the glass substrate composition effectively suppresses solarization and resin deterioration, ensuring high solar power conversion efficiency and extended lifespan of solar cells by minimizing ultraviolet light impact.
Implementation Method 1
the glass substrate have a transmittance at a wavelength of 250 nm at a thickness of 0.05 mm of 30% or less
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a glass substrate that can suppress solarization, and can also suppress deterioration of a resin caused by intense ultraviolet light even when the glass substrate is thinned. A glass substrate for space solar power generation of the present invention has a sheet thickness of 0.2 mm or less and has a content of TiO2 of from 0.001 mass % to 10 mass % in a glass composition.