The University of New Mexico

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Harvard College

The Broad Institute, Inc.

Omar Abudayyeh

Feng Zhang

James Joseph Collins

Jonathan S Gootenberg

Bernd Zetsche

Sang M Han

Ian Slaymaker

Pardis Sabeti

Eric S Lander

David M Wilt

Cameron Myhrvold

Nathan Gapp

Catherine Amanda Freije

Max Kellner

A solar cell structure is disclosed that includes a first metal layer, formed over predefined portions of a sun-exposed major surface of a semiconductor structure, that form electrical gridlines of the solar cell; a network of carbon nanotubes formed over the first metal layer; and a second metal layer formed onto the network of carbon nanotubes, wherein the second metal layer infiltrates the network of carbon nanotubes to connect with the first metal layer to form a first metal matrix composite comprising a metal matrix and a carbon nanotube reinforcement, wherein the second metal layer is an electrically conductive layer in which the carbon nanotube reinforcement is embedded in and bonded to the metal matrix, and the first metal matrix composite provides enhanced mechanical support as well as enhanced or equal electrical conductivity for the electrical contacts against applied mechanical stressors to the electrical contacts.

Metal-carbon-nanotube metal matrix composites for metal contacts on photovoltaic cells

A method for forming electrical contacts for a solar cell and a solar cell formed using the method is provided. The method includes forming a first metal layer over predefined portions of a surface of the solar cell; depositing a carbon nanotube layer over the first metal layer; and forming a second metal layer over the carbon nanotube layer, wherein the first metal layer, the carbon nanotube layer, and the second metal layer form a first metal matrix composite layer that provides electrical conductivity and mechanical support for the metal contacts.

Metal matrix composites for contacts on solar cells

Growing community of inventors

Albuquerque, NM, United States of America

Omar Abudayyeh