Self-Cleaning Thin-Film Encapsulation for Perovskite Solar Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Perovskite solar cells face stability issues due to exposure to ultraviolet light and moisture, and surface contamination from dust and rainwater reduces power generation efficiency, particularly in modularized modules using organic and inorganic thin films.

Innovation Solution

A method involving inkjet printing to form boundary lines and micro lenses on the surface of perovskite solar cell modules using hydrophobic materials like PDMS, PTFE, epoxy, and acrylic polymers, creating a self-cleaning surface structure with high aspect-ratio micro lenses to prevent dust and water attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If perovskite solar cells are encapsulated with glass to prevent moisture and oxygen infiltration, then stability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid glass encapsulation with flexible thin film encapsulation consisting of multiple alternating organic and inorganic layers. This thin film structure provides effective moisture and oxygen barrier protection while reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost compared to traditional glass encapsulation methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Device complexity

If thin film encapsulation is used instead of glass, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but surface contamination resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidsurface contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent forms microlens structures with curved surfaces on the thin film encapsulation layer. These microlenses have hydrophobic properties that cause water and dust to form beads and roll off the surface, providing self-cleaning functionality and resistance to surface contamination while maintaining the advantages of thin film encapsulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the surface properties of the thin film encapsulation by changing its physical structure through microlens formation and controlling surface energy characteristics. This parameter change transforms the surface from contamination-prone to self-cleaning, effectively resisting dust and water attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If dust particles or rainwater attach to solar cell module surfaces, then power generation efficiency is reduced, but cleaning requirements increase operational complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation efficiencyVSAvoidcleaning requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-cleaning surface on the thin film encapsulation through microlens structures with hydrophobic properties. This self-service mechanism automatically repels dust particles and rainwater without requiring manual intervention or external cleaning systems, maintaining power generation efficiency while eliminating cleaning operational requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 method enhances self-cleaning performance and increases power generation efficiency by reducing reflection loss and expanding the light incident angle range, improving the stability and durability of perovskite solar cell modules.

Implementation Method 1

a boundary line forming step of forming a boundary line through an inkjet printing process on the surface of the organic or inorganic film surrounding the perovskite solar cell; and a micro lens forming step of forming a micro lens through an inkjet printing process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInkjet printing:

Implementation Method 2

forming a surface structure providing a self-cleaning effect on a surface of the organic or inorganic film surrounding the perovskite solar cell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentUS12501761B2Method for manufacturing perovskite solar cell module encapsulated with self-cleaning thin film by using inkjet printing, and perovskite solar cell module with self-cleaning function manufactured thereby

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 GOSANTECH

AI summary

Proposed is a method for manufacturing a perovskite solar cell module encapsulated with a self-cleaning thin film by using an inkjet printing process. The method includes a boundary line forming step and a micro lens forming step. The boundary line forming step is to form boundary lines on the surface of an organic or inorganic film surrounding a perovskite solar cell array by an inkjet printing process, and the micro lens forming step is to form a micro lens array on the surface of the organic or inorganic film surrounding the perovskite solar cell array such that each of the micro lenses is surrounded by the boundary line. The boundary line is first formed to demarcate regions corresponding to the respective micro lenses, and the micro lenses are then formed in the regions surrounded by the boundary line, so that micro lenses with a high aspect ratio are densely formed.