Kurt Van Durme

Title: Kurt Van Durme and Fluorine-Free Photovoltaic Backsheet Innovation.

Introduction

Kurt Van Durme is an inventor associated with Geleen, the Netherlands, and Endurance Solar Solutions, Inc. His patent work concerns materials for photovoltaic modules, with a focus on a backsheet design that does not use fluorinated polymers.

Latest Patents

Van Durme is associated with 1 patent: “Photovoltaic Module Backsheet Comprising Polyolefin Layers.” The invention describes a backsheet with a functional layer and a weather-resistant layer. The functional layer blends polyethylene with a polyethylene copolymer and contains at least 50 percent polyethylene by weight. The weather-resistant layer has two sub-layers, each containing at least 50 percent polypropylene by weight; the second sub-layer has a lowest glass-transition temperature below −40 °C. The patent also addresses a process for producing the backsheet and a photovoltaic module incorporating it.

Career Highlights

The patent reflects work on polymer-layer design for photovoltaic backsheets. Its fluorine-free construction and specified material properties are central features of the disclosed approach. Van Durme is associated with Endurance Solar Solutions, Inc.

Collaborations

Ruofei Zhao and Robert Janssen are identified as Van Durme’s coworkers. Their names are provided as professional associations, though the available information does not specify their roles in the patent.

Conclusion

Kurt Van Durme’s patent focuses on a fluorine-free, polyolefin-based photovoltaic backsheet, combining defined polyethylene and polypropylene layers for use in solar modules.