The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 28, 2020
Filed:
Nov. 28, 2014
The Regents of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Stephen R. Forrest, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Kyusang Lee, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Matthew Shlian, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Chih-Wei Chien, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Peicheng Ku, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Aaron Lamoreux, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Max Shtein, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
The Regents of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Abstract
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.