Transparent Solar Cell Electrode With Liquid Metal Grid Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar cells have opaque top electrodes, which hinder light transmission and result in low transmittance and stability issues when replaced with transparent electrodes, leading to decreased energy conversion efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A transparent electrode for solar cells comprising a main conductive part with grid structures made of liquid metal, a protective elastomer layer, and an auxiliary conductive part, manufactured using a sacrificial layer and printing process, optimizing grid structure dimensions for improved charge uniformity and transmittance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a transparent electrode is sputtered to replace the opaque top electrode, then light transmittance is improved, but stability and energy conversion efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent electrode is segmented into a grid structure with multiple conductive lines arranged in rows and columns, rather than using a continuous transparent conductive oxide layer. This segmentation allows the electrode to maintain transparency while improving stability and charge collection efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure combining liquid metal (such as gallium, indium, or their alloys) with transparent conductive oxide materials. The liquid metal grid lines are deposited on a substrate with transparent conductive oxide, creating a composite electrode that leverages the high conductivity of liquid metal and the transparency of the oxide material.
2Illumination intensity
If transparent conductive oxide materials are used to achieve high transmittance, then light transmission is improved, but sheet resistance increases and energy conversion efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is divided into a grid pattern of conductive lines spaced at specific intervals (pitch of 100-500 μm with line width of 1-20 μm). This segmentation reduces the total material required while maintaining electrical conductivity through the grid structure, improving both transparency and power conversion efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the conductive material from solid transparent conductive oxide to liquid metal, which has superior electrical conductivity. By controlling the pitch and width parameters of the grid structure, the electrode achieves optimal balance between transparency and conductivity for high energy conversion efficiency.
3Power
If the top electrode is made opaque to ensure good electrical conductivity, then energy conversion efficiency is maintained, but light transmission to hybrid battery is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the electrode into a grid pattern with significant spacing between lines (pitch of 100-500 μm), the electrode provides sufficient electrical conductivity through the conductive lines while leaving large open areas for light transmission to reach the hybrid battery underneath.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode structure exhibits local quality differentiation: the grid lines provide high conductivity where needed for charge collection, while the spaces between lines maintain high transparency for light transmission. This local differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of both electrical and optical properties.
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 solution achieves power conversion efficiency comparable to opaque electrodes while maintaining high visible-light transmittance, enhancing bifacial properties and reducing charge carrier recombination.
Implementation Method 1
forming a plurality of grid structures on the sacrificial layer using a liquid metal
Implementation Method 2
a protective part surrounding the plurality of grid structures and including an elastomer
Implementation Method 3
the top electrode must additionally exhibit transparency in order to allow light to pass therethrough
Implementation Method 4
an auxiliary conductive part located under the grid structures of the main conductive part and including a conductive material
Implementation Method 5
a transparent electrode for a solar cell
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a transparent electrode for a solar cell and a method of manufacturing the same. The transparent electrode for a solar cell has a low Young's modulus, excellent elasticity, self-healing properties, an average visible-light transmittance sufficient to implement bifacial properties, and excellent power conversion efficiency (PCE). In addition, the method of manufacturing the transparent electrode for a solar cell does not require an additional deposition process, so the electrode-manufacturing time can be reduced, and the electrode-manufacturing process can be performed separately from other solar-cell-manufacturing processes, which is advantageous for mass production and large-area application.