University of Michigan

Matthew Shlian

Stephen R Forrest

Max Shtein

Kyusang Lee

Peicheng Ku

Chih-Wei Chien

Aaron Lamoreux

There is disclosed Kirigami-inspired structures for use in solar tracking applications. When coupled with thin-film active materials, the disclosed microstructures can track solar position and maximize solar power generation. In one embodiment, there is disclosed a photovoltaic system comprising a single-axis, or multi-axis solar tracking structure comprising a support structure made of a flexible material having a defined unit cell structure, and a flexible photovoltaic cell disposed on the support structure. There is also disclosed methods of making such structures in which the photovoltaic cell is mounted to the support structure by a direct-attachment bonding processes such as cold-welding.

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Matthew Shlian